PhD student in Embedded Systems & Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Ranging

The Sensing, Interaction & Perception Lab is looking for a PhD student in embedded systems. Suitable applicants have built their own embedded systems before (custom PCB + firmware, MCU + sensor integration, ideally using nRF chips). Optional but encouraged is some experience with UWB (communication protocol, distance estimation) and  basic feedback control/robotics (Kalman filters, state estimation).

To learn more about our research, check out our website.

The project focuses on developing cutting-edge embedded systems that integrate UWB and motion sensors for high-accuracy ranging, tracking, and communication. You will work on custom PCBs, firmware development, and the seamless connection of MCUs with various sensors. You will also develop learning-based pipelines for state, position, and motion estimation.

The project will contribute to advancements in localization and robotics applications.

Background will be our previous work on pose estimation and location tracking.

• Design, develop, and test embedded systems hardware (PCBs) and firmware.
• Integrate MCUs with sensors, ensuring reliable communication and data handling.
• Develop UWB-based communication and ranging algorithms.
• Contribute to system-level performance optimization and experimental validation.
• Implement basic feedback control for robotics tasks.

Your background should be in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Robotics.

Candidates should also have:

• Proven experience designing custom PCBs and developing firmware.
• Familiarity with MCUs (e.g., nRF chips) and sensor integration.
• Ideally: hands-on experience with UWB technology (platforms, protocols, signals).
• Strong problem-solving and technical debugging skills.
• Optional: experience in state estimation and filters.

Application documents to be submitted

• a PDF showing your projects that are most relevant to this position
• your CV
• university score records (for undergrad and master's)
• contact details of at least two academic referees

We offer an exciting environment to study and work in.

For more information, check out

• our projects in the Sensing, Interaction & Perception Lab
• the SIPLAB team
• Christian Holz (PI)

ETH has several internationally recognized research groups dedicated to hardware prototyping, electrical engineering, robotics, signal processing, and machine learning. We collaborate with several of them as well as institutions and companies in Switzerland and abroad.