Telecommunications researcher : Job description

Telecommunications researchers work to further our knowledge and capabilities in the rapidly changing world of telecommunications. Today, telecommunications involves much more than making telephone calls.

Since the deregulation of the telecommunications industry there have been great advances. The industry now includes providers of telephone, messaging, cable, wireless and satellite communication technology in the form of telephony, television and the internet. It includes manufacturers of handsets, wireless technologies and modems, computer chips, semiconductors, satellite equipment, fibre optics, switching equipment and radio frequencies.

This is a fast growing and advancing industry that offers a wide range of opportunities for research professionals.

Typical work activities

Typical work activities differ depending on whether you work within an academic or commercial environment. Generally they involve:

• analysing a problem as part of academic research or as part of solution designing for a company's portfolio of services;
• identifying solutions by applying established research methods, by learning and adapting new methods, and by using analytical tools and mathematical and statistical models;
• conducting field work, interviews, laboratory experimentation, critical evaluation and interpretation;
• carrying out computer-based data analysis and evaluation using software such as MATLAB or OPNET;
• conducting numerical simulations or library research;
• working collaboratively with company/university colleagues, across teams and also with other partners worldwide and across industry;
• analysing results and data and drawing conclusions from them;
• writing up original research for publication in relevant research publications, journals or books, or for presentation at conferences;
• presenting findings to group and departmental meetings, to design and development teams, to collaborative partners or to senior management;
• drawing up research proposals and funding applications;
• reading articles and papers about specific areas of interest in order to keep up to date with technical, scientific and theoretical advancements in your field;
• attending conferences, training seminars and specialised courses;
• in academic posts, lecturing and/or supervising student projects.