Research Specialist, Wireless Transmission

Why this role matters

This is a technical expert role in Research and Network Strategy where the individual will apply their key expertise within a clearly defined sphere of technical knowledge to complex business issues or opportunities. The role holder actively engages with colleagues to progress new research in important technical topics and supports the realisation of business value from research and innovation outputs. 

This role is to design, maintain and conduct simulations of wireless communication systems (link- and system-level, e.g. 5G, 6G, WiFi). You will contribute in-depth analysis of capacity, coverage and operating characteristics of such systems, and deliver impact through developing trusted technical collaborations with internal and external peer experts in the domain.

We believe this is an exciting opportunity where you will have the opportunity to have an impact and influence on this sector. The contribution you will amke to industry standards will benefit BT and the strategic analysis of Networks evolution.

This role is based in Ipswich and our hybrid working model means you are expected to be in the office 3 days per week.

You'll have the following responsibilities

•    Managing research projects/tasks, both internal to Research and Network Strategy and with collaborative partners.
•    Domain expert responsible for maintaining expertise in a specific technical domain.
•    Responsible for intellectual property creation, managing patent filing in their team and supporting IPR exploitation where appropriate
•    Accountable for defining and performing research in a specific domain (i.e. Wireless Transmission) or area that is typically unknown, complex, high impact and high value across multiple domains.
•    Responsible for authoring thought leadership technical papers, capturing intellectual property 
•    Supervision of graduate and post-graduate student placements and secondments
 

You'll have the following skills and experience

Skills

•    Technical domain expert: Expertise and interest in evaluation of wireless communication technologies through simulations of transmitter, channel and receiver chain.
•    Understanding of signal processing: steps including data encoding, channel access, transmission steps, radio propagation, reception, channel estimation, demodulation, decoding, feedback mechanisms.
•    Appreciation of networks and hardware: principles of modern transceiver implementation, fixed and mobile network architectures and practical constraints they impose on wireless systems.
•    Qualifications: Strong academic record in technology specialism with post-graduate qualification(s) (PhD or equivalent research experience).
•    Expert communicator: Regularly presents to peers and managers about their research and area of technical expertise
•    Experienced in open innovation: Skilled in patenting, technical publications, conference presentations etc.
•    Storytelling with data: strong skills in building the case for change, drawing on data and analytical techniques where appropriate, and communicating this to business audiences
•    Concept Evaluation: ability to spot relevant innovations, horizon scanning, determine relevance for the business, develop an effective conceptualisation and build trials to test the concept

Required experience
Building system and link level simulations for cellular or WiFi communications (Matlab, Python)
Analysis, debugging and experimentation with associated algorithms such as precoding, channel estimation and demodulation
Preparation of high-quality technical reports and documentation, presentation of results to diverse audiences
Able to file new IPR naturally as it emerges in the candidate's research 

Preferred experience (any of these is a plus)
Test and measurement equipment (spectrum and network analysers, VNAs, anechoic chambers), hardware-in-the loop, software-defined radios (x310, x410)
Standardisation (3GPP, ITU, WiFi alliance)
Best practices for software development (GitLab), embedded code development (C/C++)
Working knowledge of channel modelling (38.901, 38.827), radio planning tools (Atoll), ray tracing principles.
Drive testing mobile networks including in-depth debugging tools.

In addition:

• Self-starter, pro-actively working with minimal guidance
• Problem solving, intellectually curious, comfortable taking ownership and responsibility
• Significant delivery: evidence of significant business impact through delivery of research 
• Stakeholder management: evidence of managing project stakeholders across the business at a variety of grade and seniority levels 
• Innovative Thinker: ability to spot and identify new innovations and act to bring them in and capitalise and create value
• Commercial Applicability: understanding the business case principals around relevant innovations and the real value to the business through value proposition build

Benefits

•    10% on target bonus
•    BT Pension scheme, minimum 5% Employee contribution, BT contribution 10%
•    From January 2025, equal family leave:  receive 18 weeks at full pay, 8 weeks at half pay and 26 weeks at the statutory rate. It’s for all parents, no matter how your family is made up.
•    Enhanced women’s health support: including help with menopause symptoms, cancer screenings, period care and more.
•    25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service
•    24/7 private virtual GP appointments for UK colleagues
•    2 weeks carer’s leave 
•    World-class training and development opportunities
•    Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes.
 

Our leadership standards

Looking in:
Leading inclusively and Safely
I inspire and build trust through self-awareness, honesty and integrity.
Owning outcomes
I take the right decisions that benefit the broader organisation.

Looking out:
Delivering for the customer
I execute brilliantly on clear priorities that add value to our customers and the wider business.
Commercially savvy
I demonstrate strong commercial focus, bringing an external perspective to decision-making.

Looking to the future:
Growth mindset
I experiment and identify opportunities for growth for both myself and the organisation.
Building for the future
I build diverse future-ready teams where all individuals can be at their best.