Telecommunications researcher : Employers and vacancy sources

Telecommunications researchers work in the many different fields that make up telecommunications. Employers include:

• telephone and broadband network providers;
• mobile phone operators;
• mobile and land line telephone manufacturers;
• cable, satellite and digital television companies;
• rail signal engineering companies;
• power transmission firms;
• security companies;
• organisations involved in deep space communications.

A large proportion of telecommunication researchers are employed by universities and their research is funded by collaborative partners, which may be commercial companies, government departments or research councils. All PhD studentships are offered by universities.

There are also a number of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that offer opportunities. Some larger organisations work with smaller organisations that specialise in particular technical areas. Speculative applications may be successful. The Intellect  website includes a list of member companies, ranging from SMEs to multinationals, including telecommunications employers.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Jobs.ac.uk  
• Times Higher Education (THE)  
• Find a PhD  
• Find a PhD in the USA   
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)   
• Find a PostDoc  
• PhD Jobs  
• Academic Jobs EU  
• Individual university websites.
• Research councils.
• Recruitment pages of major telecommunications employers' websites.
• Individual government department recruitment websites.

Recruitment agencies increasingly handle vacancies at all levels, particularly for jobs in industry and the commercial sector.

Consider contacting higher education institutions that have dedicated specialised departments working in telecommunications research.

Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.