Spacecraft Attitude
Control & Estimation LabORATORY

Location: Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary Start Date: January 2027

Deadline to Receive Full Consideration: August 31, 2026

Applications are invited for one (1) PhD position and one (1) MSc position in the field of resilient spacecraft navigation, estimation, and control. These fully funded positions are supported through the NSERC Discovery Grant / Department of National Defence (DND) Research Supplement Program, which focuses on advancing dual-use technologies to support secure and resilient space operations.

Research Themes

• PhD Position (Real-time Anomaly Detection & Isolation): Focuses on developing diagnostic layers, residual-based consistency checks, and two-stage non-linear filtering (e.g., EKF/UKF) to identify and isolate sensor/actuator faults, malicious data injections, and unexpected space disturbances in real time.

• MSc Position (Environmental Disturbances as Navigation Cues): Focuses on modeling space environment variability, such as geomagnetic fluctuations, thermospheric density anomalies, and surface albedo, to transform environmental disturbances into auxiliary navigation cues for GNSS-degraded or denied environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, code, and benchmark state estimation and adaptive filtering algorithms in MATLAB, Python, and C++.

• Implement and test algorithms in high-fidelity simulation testbeds and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) environments using satellite onboard computers.

• Contribute to open-source software/toolkits and publish findings in top-tier aerospace journals and international conferences.

Qualifications

• PhD Candidate: Strong background in estimation theory (Kalman filtering variants), non-linear control, fault detection, or space domain awareness. A relevant Master’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering is required.

• MSc Candidate: Solid foundation in dynamics, basic estimation/signal processing, and strong programming skills (C++/MATLAB/Python). A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or Physics is required.

How to Apply

Step 1: Application to the Position (Screening) Interested candidates should first submit their form and application package via the corresponding links below. The form includes short screening questions regarding your research experience and technical skills.

Required Documents (Single PDF):

1. Motivation Letter (Max 1 page)

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. Academic Transcripts (unofficial copies accepted)

4. Language Proficiency Document

👉 MSc Position Application Form: https://forms.gle/EesFbsGQpjbX3DLm7

👉 PhD Position Application Form: https://forms.gle/w4evEs8q1o2ogiKA6

Screening will continue until the position is filled.

Point of Contact: Dr. Demet Cilden Guler (https://profiles.ucalgary.ca/demet-cilden-guler)

Step 2: Application to the Graduate Program Prospective students satisfying all admission requirements must also apply online for the MSc/PhD program at the University of Calgary.

Program Links:

MSc in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

PhD in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering