Master Thesis Student (f/m/x) Localizing Trains with the Future Railway Mobile Communication System

Vacancy-ID: 5859

Place of work: Oberpfaffenhofen

Starting date: 01.10.2026

Career level: Student research project and final thesis

Type of employment: Part time

Duration of contract: 6 months

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

The DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation is dedicated to mission-oriented research in selected areas of communications and navigation. Its work ranges from the theoretical foundations to the demonstration of new procedures and systems in a real environment and is embedded in DLR's Space, Aeronautics, Transport, Security and Digitalization programmes.

What To Expect

While being the most environmentally friendly transport system, the current railway system suffers from inefficient use of its available track infrastructure and outdated technologies such as GSM-R. As GSM-R will be replaced with the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) based on 5G, we plan to use FRMCS also for reliable, secure train localization.

In your thesis you will develop train localization algorithms using distance dependent FRMCS measurements and suitable tracking filters for railways. In particular you will work with realistic radio propagation models to account for local effects such as multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation. Besides train-to-ground links you will extend the train localization to FRMCS conform 5G side links and 5G/6G satellite networks.

Your tasks

• Review the literature on FRMCS, 5G side links, 5G/6G satellite networks, radio-based reliable and secure train localization, and multipath propagation in railway environment
• Plan, implement and test a simulation framework for train localization with FRMCS train-to-ground links
• Research and develop advanced reliable and secure ranging and train localization algorithms for FRMCS signals with realistic radio propagation models
• Extend simulation framework by FRMCS conform 5G side links and 5G/6G satellite network links
• Extend advanced reliable and secure ranging and train localization algorithms for FRMCS conform 5G side link and 5G/6G satellite network signals with realistic radio propagation models
• Document your research results in a thesis report

Your profile

• ongoing studies in electrical engineering or computer science
• very good knowledge in signal processing, estimation theory, navigation and localization technologies
• very good programming skills, for example with MATLAB and Python
• Ability to work independently and to solve complex problems on your own
• excellent English knowledge written and spoken

We offer

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 5859) please contact:

Dr. Christian Gentner

Tel.: +49 8153 28 2890