Research Associate / Research Scientist at the Advanced Radar Research Center

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus•Norman, OK

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Oklahoma’s Advanced Radar Research Center (ARRC) is hiring a Research Associate or Research Scientist to work on advanced radar signal processing, electromagnetic/radio-frequency interference (EMI/RFI) mitigation, and phased array radar (PAR). Appointment level depends on education and experience: candidates with an M.S. will be considered for Research Associate, and candidates with a Ph.D. for Research Scientist. The primary focus is developing, implementing, and evaluating signal-processing algorithms to detect, characterize, and mitigate external interference in weather-radar data. The work uses simulated and measured complex I/Q data and evaluates effects on radar data quality, including reflectivity, radial velocity, spectrum width, and dual-polarization variables. Evaluation will be rigorous and reproducible across interference levels, radar operating modes, and weather and ground-clutter conditions. The position also contributes to phased array radar analyses relevant to spectrum-efficient weather-radar operation. Depending on background and project needs, topics may include array signal processing, digital beamforming, adaptive nulling, frequency and waveform agility, spectral-footprint characterization, and trade studies involving update rate, sensitivity, interference susceptibility, and spectrum coexistence. The successful candidate will collaborate with OU/ARRC radar engineers and scientists and NOAA/NWS technical partners. Work will take place primarily in the Radar Innovations Laboratory and National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma, in a collaborative environment with OU faculty, engineers, students, NOAA scientists, and federal and industry partners. The role offers access to radar testbeds, high-performance computing resources, and extensive weather-radar datasets. The initial appointment is expected to be one year, renewable for a second year subject to satisfactory performance and continued funding.

Requirements

M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or a closely related discipline by the start date.
Strong background in digital and/or statistical signal processing, including areas such as spectral analysis, detection and estimation, adaptive filtering, or time-series analysis.
Programming experience for scientific computing and data analysis, preferably in MATLAB and/or Python.
Ability to work with large complex-valued datasets.
Ability to communicate technical results clearly in reports, presentations, and collaborative discussions.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and evaluate signal-processing algorithms to detect, characterize, and mitigate external interference in weather-radar data.
Work with simulated and measured complex I/Q data.
Develop interference detection, excision, filtering, estimation, and mitigation methods.
Quantify effects of interference on radar data quality, including reflectivity, radial velocity, spectrum width, and dual-polarization variables.
Conduct rigorous, reproducible evaluations across interference levels, radar operating modes, and weather and ground-clutter conditions.
Contribute to phased array radar analyses relevant to spectrum-efficient weather-radar operation.
Depending on background and project needs, work on array signal processing, digital beamforming, adaptive nulling, frequency/waveform agility, spectral-footprint characterization, and trade studies.
Collaborate with OU/ARRC radar engineers and scientists and NOAA/NWS technical partners.
Communicate technical results in reports, presentations, and collaborative discussions.