Unmanned Air System Synthetic Aperture Radar - Lead Instructor

Lead Instructor needed for a 4-week long summer program, the MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute, being held virtually. One of this year’s exciting projects is the Unmanned Air System Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAS-SAR). SAR is a unique application of a radar sensor typically used by the military and scientists. Combining this sensor with a UAS provides a very powerful sensing platform with multiple applications. Over an intensive 4-week program, participants in UAS-SAR will design, implement, integrate, test, and refine their own virtual UAS-SAR prototype to image various scenes and objects. For more information on BWSI program visit: https://beaverworks.ll.mit.edu/CMS/bw/bwsi.

 

Over the course of 4 weekly modules, students will learn about radar, SAR, Python programming, hardware-software interfaces, system command and control, and the specific integration of these topics into a unified prototype. Labs will focus on developing understanding and implementing these various concepts in an incremental fashion towards their final prototype. They will also get real-time coaching by instructors and TA’s in effective collaboration in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment.

 

The Lead Instructor will not only supervise the entirety of the course, students, and fellow teaching staff but will be the ultimate expert on all course matters. Amongst these overarching duties, the Lead Instructor will be responsible for maintaining student progress by ensuring the functionality of virtual tools, maintaining engagement through interesting assignment and challenges, and making sure that all students participate meaningfully across their diverse strengths. The Lead Instructor will be assisted on a daily basis by Teaching Assistants (TAs) on day-to-day coursework, lectures, assessments, and by being the initial source of aid for the student teams. Additionally, arranging Co-Instructors who can provide additional expertise and support should be done at the Lead Instructors discretion and effort.

 

The program runs from Monday July 11 to Sunday August 7 2022, Monday to Friday, from 10AM to 6PM. The program will be conducted virtually using digital conferencing, communication, and collaboration tools such Zoom, Discord, and GitHub. The Lead Instructor would need to be available for Saturday July 31 and Sunday August 1 for the final challenge.

 

Applicants should be graduate school students (3+ years) or career professionals in an engineering, science and/or math fields with a solid understanding of signal processing, linear algebra, and Radiofrequency (RF) system (preferably radar) is strongly desired. Ideal candidates will have experience w/ modern, digital radar systems. High degree of proficiency in programming, specifically Python, is required. Experience utilizing manufacturer and/or open-source APIs/middlewares to implement software is also required. Competency in utilizing code management tools such as Git and GitHub is required. Successful applicants will have the ability to lecture, support, and supervise multiple independent student teams working towards common goals but at potentially difference rates of progress.

 

 

Applicants should be graduate school students (3+ years) or career professionals in an engineering, science and/or math fields. An expertise in Python for STEM-related applications is necessary, as is a history of supervising and completing technical projects (including both professional and personal projects alike). Experience managing complex, team-authored codebases with tools like Git and GitHub is required. Familiarity with linear algebra, signal processing, development of hardware control software, RF systems, radar, and SAR is highly desired. Successful applicants will be motivated by eagerness to guide students through novel challenges so that they achieve individual and team-oriented technical and project execution skills that will serve them in their future endeavors.