Master Thesis “Bi-Static Sensing of UAVs Exploiting Micro-Doppler Signatures”

Center for Digital Safety & Security

As Austria's largest research and technology organisation for applied research, AIT is dedicated to making substantial contributions to solving the major challenges of our time, climate change and digitalisation.

Our Center for Digital Safety & Security located in Wien invites applications for a master’s thesis position. As part of our Reliable Wireless Communication and Sensing research team, you will support research projects focusing on reliable wireless 5G/6G communication and sensing.

• Reliable detection and localisation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is a key challenge for future wireless sensing systems. This master's thesis focuses on the development of a bi-static multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) sensing platform that exploits micro-Doppler signatures to estimate the position of multi-rotor UAVs in real time using software-defined radio technology.
• You will develop simulation models for bi-static MIMO sensing and UAV micro-Doppler signal processing.
• You will realise a real-time measurement setup using the AIT SDR testbed that can estimate azimuth, elevation and range exploiting micro-Doppler signatures of multi-rotor UAVs.
• You will gain hands-on experience with MIMO radar, software-defined radio, signal processing, and real-time wireless sensing.
• You will validate your algorithms using a state-of-the-art motion capture system and collaborate with researchers working on next-generation sensing technologies.

Your qualifications as an Ingenious Partner

• You are pursuing a master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• You have solid programming skills in MATLAB or Python.
• You have a basic understanding of digital signal processing, wireless communications, or radar systems.
• Knowledge of MIMO systems, array signal processing, or software-defined radio (SDR) is an advantage.
• Experience with RF measurements or real-time signal processing is beneficial but not required.
• You enjoy both algorithm development and experimental validation.
• Good written and spoken English skills are required.

What to expect

• Duration of the master’s thesis project: 6 months
• Start date: ideally 01.10.2026, with some flexibility concerning the start date
• EUR 1.379,60 gross per month for 20 hours/week. There will be additional company benefits.

At AIT, an inclusive and family-friendly working environment promotes equal opportunities and strengthens diversity across the workforce and in leadership positions.

Please submit your complete application documents online, consisting of your CV, a cover letter, relevant certificates (transcript of records), and a proof of identity.

Apply now!