Geo-Intelligence Researcher/Engineer M/W/X

PROJECT

You work within the department of CISS (Communication, Information, Systems and Sensors) of the RMA and in close collaboration with National Geographic Institute (NGI-IGN). You conduct scientific research at university level on a project entitled `SIGMA ( S ignal I nterference - G NSS-Network Monitoring and A nalysis'.

Position: Geo-Intelligence Researcher/Engineer

About the Role We are seeking an expert to lead the development of a GNSS interference detection system. This project is vital for protecting L-band frequencies used in defense and critical infrastructure.

Core Objectives

• Build: A high-throughput GNSS data collection and processing pipeline.
• Detect: Develop dual-axis detection algorithms (signal-based and coordinate-based) to identify jamming and anomalies.
• Correlate: Create a multi-station network module to analyze interference patterns across a sensor grid.
• Classify: Implement identification/classification methods for detected threats.
• Visualize: Design a real-time dashboard and API for immediate threat alerting.
• Validate: Perform system validation and establish operational standards.

Impact Your contributions will secure the navigation signals that underpin national defense, economic stability, and civilian safety.

Team & Collaboration You will join a specialized team of experts in geodesy and navigation, providing you with immediate access to deep technical support and mentorship. A key strategic partner in this initiative is the National Geographic Institute (NGI-IGN), which will provide critical expertise and direct access to national GNSS networks and proprietary data sources.

Key Responsibilities

• Innovation in Interference Detection: Research, design, and implement advanced methodologies to identify and classify GNSS interference, jamming, and spoofing events.
• Tool Development: Engineer a monitoring and alerting system capable of detecting GNSS signal degradation or denial in real-time, ensuring user safety and data integrity.
• Knowledge Dissemination: The publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present technical insights at conferences and meetings.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Degree(s) required / ideal degree(s): Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering or in Physics.

This position is open for junior profiles (ideally 0-3 years of experience), experienced profiles (ideally 3 years of experience minimum) and senior profiles (8+ years of experience).

However, young graduates are also encouraged to apply.

¿MUST HAVE¿ skills

• PNT & GNSS Expertise
• RF Interference Knowledge
• Advanced Data Analytics

¿NICE TO HAVE¿ skills

• Experience building software applications
• Practical experience with GNSS surveying
• Background in telecommunication and/or signal processing engineering

Personal skills

• You conduct scientific research in an independent and upright way within a multidisciplinary environment.
• You think in an innovative and creative way.
• You communicate your results in a clear, concise and precise manner.
• You plan and manage proactively your self-development, while being critical to your own functioning and striving to your self-improvement.
• You solve problems autonomously and find alternatives or solutions.

Other skills

• The applicant shall have good knowledge of English (oral / written).
• Minimum knowledge of French or Dutch is an added value for collaboration with peers.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• The researcher may be exposed to classified information and will therefore have to obtain the required security clearance. The candidate must consent with the background check required to obtain this clearance, which will be executed by Belgian Defense.
• Only applicants with a nationality of a country that is both part of NATO and the EU will be eligible.
• Working for the Patrimony requires living in Belgium for the duration of the study.

CONTRACT

• Probable date of recruitment: From 01/10/2026, in consultation with the applicant.
• Status: Full-time employment based on an open-ended contract with the Patrimony of the Royal Military Academy (you will not be a civil servant). •

Please note that your contract will be open-ended, but the financing of the contract will be tied to the funding project, which is guaranteed for four years (until August 31st, 2030).

The financing of your contract beyond that period is therefore not 100% guaranteed. However, the Patrimony has a policy to keep the good elements on board, and the research focus of this job offer fits within our core research activities, so there is a high chance that we will be able to offer you follow-up projects beyond that date if you decide to stay.

• Wage scale: Salary scale: wage scale NA11 (holder of a Master's degree in Science or equivalent), or NA21 (holder of an Ir degree or equivalent Master's in engineering sciences in the same area of expertise recognized in Belgium), with valuable / relevant seniority. A salary simulation can be done here: Simulateur de salaire . RMA applies a merit-based research career track, allowing researchers to advance in wage scale based upon annual evaluations. •

Holiday pay.

EXTRA LEGAL BENEFITS

• Possibility to benefit from a bilingualism allowance (Dutch/French) following a SELOR test;
• End-of-year bonus;
• Free DKV hospitalization insurance. Possibility of additional affiliation for one or more persons living under the same roof: spouse, child(ren) (50% of the price per additional member);
• Bike allowance / Free public transport (home-work commute);
• Meal vouchers (6€ / day);
• Digital allowance: 15€ / month;
• Free access to campus sports facilities outside working hours;
• On-campus restaurant and cafeteria with democratic prices (discount on the daily menu);
• Flexible working hours within the 38-hour week;
• Teleworking possible with allowance (2 days / week max);
• Holidays:
• 29 days holiday / year from the 1st year of contract (then from 45 years: +1 day holiday every 5 years)
• 1 week OFF every year between Christmas and New year's Eve (independent of the annual balance of holidays).
• Advantages and interesting offers thanks to the Benefits@work card (discounts, vouchers...);
• Entitlement to services offered by the `Office Central d'Action Sociale et Culturelle de la Défense' (OCASC): among others holiday centres, discount on travel organised by the tour operator...;
• Possibility to benefit from the nursery funded by Belgian Defence (subject to availability).