Postdoctoral Scholar, Robotic Radio Source Localization

Job Description

Job Description

Special Information

• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This position is subject to the availability of funding. 
• Driving a vehicle on behalf of the university is anticipated to be a regular part of this position. Arizona Administrative Code Fleet Safety Policy requires all employees who drive on university business become authorized by submitting Driver’s license information for driving record monitoring, and completion of training appropriate to the level of driving performed. The law applies to all faculty, staff, and students who drive personal or university-owned motorized vehicles for any business purpose. More information on the NAU Authorized Driver Policy can be found on the NAU website.
• Due to this project’s funding source, this position is open only to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders).
• The position may require handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in accordance with sponsor and university data-security requirements. Work on this project may involve technical data, hardware, or software subject to U.S. export control regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); the incumbent must be able to comply with applicable export control requirements and with any project-specific technology control plan.

About the Department/College

The Radiant Center for Remote Sensing, in partnership with the Dynamic and Active Systems Lab (DASL) in the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering at Northern Arizona University, seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to serve as lead technical researcher on a sponsored research project focused on radio source localization from unmanned aerial systems.

This is one of several concurrent postdoctoral scholar recruitments at Radiant Center, and the successful candidate will collaborate closely with fellow postdoctoral researchers and faculty working simultaneously on related projects.

About the Position

The project, EMS Overmatch, develops and field-tests methods for locating radio-frequency sources using an aerial platform, combining signal-based position estimation with path-planning strategies that guide the UAV toward the vantage points that best resolve a source's location. The work builds on the lab's history of developing UAV-based radio-tracking systems, extending that foundation toward more capable localization and platform hardware for this new application area.

The general research plan progresses from building out and validating a single-vehicle localization system. This will include hardware integration, field data collection, and flight testing across the varied terrain around Flagstaff. The program will progress toward more advanced localization and path-planning capabilities as the research matures. The postdoc will supervise graduate student researchers supporting the project, work closely with the PI, and contribute to technical reporting and manuscript preparation. The position is based in Flagstaff, AZ.

Work Environment: This position requires a substantial amount of fieldwork, including UAV flight testing across Flagstaff-area terrain ranging from desert and canyon country to ponderosa pine, mixed conifer forest, and alpine tundra (spanning close to 8,000 feet of elevation change within about an hour of campus), as well as occasional overnight or multi-day travel for more distant field campaigns and for conference travel. Laboratory work involves electronics assembly/test equipment, RF signal generators and spectrum analyzers, 3D printers, and drone hardware. The position may require occasional overtime, particularly around field campaigns and sponsor reporting deadlines. The position may require handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in accordance with sponsor and university data-security requirements.

Responsibilities Include

45% - Radio Source Localization & Path Planning Research

• Lead development of algorithms and software development for real-time radio-frequency (RF) source localization from an aerial platform.
• Develop and evaluate path-planning strategies that optimize UAV positioning to improve localization accuracy and efficiency.
• Investigate RF propagation modeling approaches, including terrain-aware and simplified models, to characterize tradeoffs between prediction accuracy and computational cost in complex terrain.
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of the project's research approach as findings develop, including potential extensions to additional operating scenarios.

25% - UAV Platform Development, Field Testing & Test Coordination

• Lead integration and adaptation of UAV hardware and RF-sensing payloads (hardware and software) to meet project and applicable federal hardware requirements.
• Plan and lead field data collection campaigns and flight tests across varied terrain to support algorithm development and validation.
• Coordinate test logistics and scheduling with the research team, including field-site arrangements, safety planning, and equipment readiness.
• Develop simulation-based and hardware-in-the-loop testing of localization and path-planning software.
• Collaborate with other researchers conducting related work on related topics in a team environment.

15% - Team Supervision & Mentoring

• Direct the day-to-day technical work of graduate student researchers supporting the project.
• Mentor graduate students in research methods, technical development, and professional growth.

10% - Dissemination, Reporting & Travel

• Prepare technical reports and milestone updates for project sponsors.
• Author and co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts and conference presentations.
• Travel to attend and present research findings at technical conferences, and travel to field sites to support testing and data collection campaigns.

5% - Other

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of lab and project needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a closely related field, completed prior to the start date.

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated research experience in RF signal processing, propagation modeling, source localization, or a closely related discipline such as optimization, estimation, or controls.
• Proficiency in Python and/or C++.
• Applied experience with software-defined radio (SDR) systems.
• Robotic path/trajectory planning or simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) experience.
• Hands-on experience with drone hardware and software, including integrating sensors and compute onto UAV flight- controller/autopilot stacks (e.g., Pixhawk, Cube, ArduPilot/PX4) and edge-compute platforms (e.g., Raspberry Pi).
• Field research/testing experience with UAV systems
• Record of peer-reviewed publications in the area of RF topic and/or robotics.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and direct graduate student researchers.
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, or willingness to obtain one shortly after hire.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++.
• Working knowledge of optimization, estimation, or path-planning methods, and RF propagation/signal processing principles.
• Ability to take initiative and complete complex, ambiguous technical tasks with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to synthesize complex technical information into clear written reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
• Ability to safely plan and execute UAV field operations, including in remote/rugged terrain and under variable weather conditions.
• Ability to mentor and direct the day-to-day technical work of graduate student researchers.

Compensation

Salary range begins at $70,000. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report

Each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at View phone number on ziprecruiter.com or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Support/Sponsorship

Northern Arizona University will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Submit your Application

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by midnight of the application deadline.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at View phone number on ziprecruiter.com, View email address on ziprecruiter.com, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.