Telecommunications researcher

A career in telecommunications research would suit you if you're analytical and keen to develop new technologies in telephony, television and the internet

As a telecommunications researcher, you'll develop knowledge and new technologies across the telecommunications sector. This covers a range of areas including satellite technology, broadband, smart phones and 5G networks.

Your role is about expanding the capabilities of existing and new telecommunications products in what is a fast-growing and advancing industry.

You may carry out research in many areas, including the use of wireless technologies, computer chips, semiconductors, satellite equipment, fibre optics and radio frequencies.

Employers include commercial companies, such as the main mobile network and smart phone providers, as well as academic employers. As a researcher, you'll be expected to publish and communicate your findings so they can be used within the industry.

Responsibilities

Specific tasks will vary depending on whether you work within an academic or commercial environment. However, you'll typically need to:

• analyse a problem as part of academic research or as part of solution designing for a company's portfolio of services
• identify solutions and interpret results by applying established research methods, by learning and adapting new methods, and by using analytical tools and mathematical and statistical models
• conduct field work, interviews, laboratory experimentation, critical evaluation and interpretation
• carry out computer-based data analysis and evaluation using software such as MATLAB or OPNET
• conduct numerical simulations or library research
• work collaboratively with colleagues, across teams and with partners worldwide and across industry
• analyse results and data and draw conclusions from them
• write up original research for publication or for presentation at conferences
• present findings at group and departmental meetings, to design and development teams, collaborative partners, or senior management
• draw up research proposals and funding applications
• read articles and papers about specific areas of interest in order to keep up to date with technical, scientific and theoretical advancements in your field
• attend conferences, training seminars and specialised courses
• in academic posts, lecturing and supervising student projects.

Salary

• Starting salaries for telecommunications researchers in academia range from £18,000 to £20,000.
• With substantial experience and working at a senior level, salaries can rise to around £55,000. There is a national pay spine for jobs in universities - for details, see the University and College Union (UCU).
• Starting salaries for researchers in industry are in the region of £20,000 to £30,000. This will increase with experience, reaching £60,000 or more.

Salaries vary according to whether you work in the private sector or within academia. Salaries tend to be higher with commercial companies in the private sector.

Securing a higher salary usually involves taking on additional responsibilities including management, teaching and supervisory activities. Where salary is dependent upon securing project funding there may be conditions attached, which may include nationality restrictions and meeting deadlines.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are usually within traditional office hours. Evening or weekend work is rare, although you may have to work longer hours to meet research and project deadlines or when attending conferences.

What to expect

• The majority of telecommunications researchers work in offices or laboratories. Exact work locations depend on the nature of your research and facilities available.
• Due to the way in which research is funded, many posts, particularly in academia, are offered as fixed-term contracts. Competition for the permanent roles that do exist is therefore fierce.
• Jobs are based throughout the UK, although there may be more around university towns or industrial areas.
• Overseas travel is possible, especially if you work in the commercial sector. Many of the companies involved have their headquarters in other countries but maintain their research facilities in the UK.
• Many universities work in partnership with overseas businesses or universities, but this varies depending on the organisation and the projects undertaken. Opportunities to travel overseas to attend conferences, either as a delegate or to present a paper, are available.

Qualifications

You'll need at least an undergraduate degree in a subject such as:

• computer science
• electrical or electronic engineering
• information technology
• mathematics or statistics
• physical sciences
• telecommunications.

Entry without a degree or HND is unlikely.

Within industry it may be possible to enter a research role with significant technical work experience rather than higher telecommunications qualifications, although this is not common.

Some roles, particularly those in academia, require a relevant applied MSc or PhD. This can also help future career development. Find out about available funding and studentships for postgraduate study at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Search postgraduate courses in telecommunications engineering.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• excellent technical understanding
• an aptitude for mathematics and statistics
• highly developed IT skills
• strong written and spoken communication skills
• practical technical and research skills
• problem-solving and analytical skills
• attention to detail
• creativity and the ability to use initiative
• excellent project management and organisational skills
• presentation skills, to present ideas and findings to peers, colleagues and clients
• the ability to work effectively both in a multidisciplinary team and independently, with minimum supervision
• drive, patience, enthusiasm and self-motivation
• commercial acumen and an awareness of the business value of work undertaken.

Work experience

Experience of research, either as vacation work or as an industrial placement, will give you an advantage when applying for jobs. In addition, any work experience that provides you with some of the skills listed above will be useful.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

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

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

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.

A number of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also offer opportunities. Some larger organisations work with smaller companies that specialise in particular technical areas.

It may be worthwhile making speculative applications, especially if you have expertise in a specialist or niche area. A list of relevant member companies ranging from SMEs to multinationals, including telecommunications employers, is available from techUK.

Search for job vacancies at:

• Academic Positions
• Jobs.ac.uk
• THEunijobs
• UK Research and Innovation - Research Councils

Vacancies are also available on the recruitment pages of major telecommunications company 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.

Professional development

If you work in the private sector, you'll usually follow a structured training programme. This may include an induction period as well as a mentoring scheme. You'll learn on the job and will usually be supervised by a more senior member of the team.

It may be possible to study for a Masters or PhD while working, if you don't already have one. Employers are usually happy to support relevant further study and some will also help with funding.

As a telecommunications researcher, it's vital to keep up to date with advances in the field and you need to maintain a high level of continuing professional development (CPD). This can take the form of attending national and international conferences where you will often be expected to present at such events yourself.

Relevant publications, news items and events that help to keep you informed of developments in the industry are available through organisations such as the EPSRC.

If teaching and lecturing are part of the role, you'll usually receive training for these responsibilities. Some researchers choose to study for a postgraduate qualification in teaching in higher education.

Career prospects

Career structure varies depending on whether you're working within an academic or industrial setting. Generally, however, advancement is dependent on achieving research goals.

In academic research, a PhD is usually followed by short-term postdoctoral research contracts of up to three years. These contracts depend on the funding available and may be in partnership with commercial organisations or government departments.

Academic promotion usually depends on research achievement, which is measured by the quality and quantity of original papers published, conferences presented to and success in attracting funding. Progress may then be to managerial or lecturing posts and eventually to professor-level posts. Permanent research posts without any administrative or teaching responsibilities are rare.

Within the telecommunications industry, promotion lies in gaining experience of a range of projects, developing expertise and contacts, and taking on greater responsibilities. You'll need to manage larger and higher-profile projects and supervise other members of staff. There may be the chance to move into training and staff development.

There are opportunities for self-employment once you've established yourself in a technical specialism and have developed a network of contacts. This usually involves working on one idea and taking it through to development and testing before selling it. This isn't usually possible without substantial experience.