Returns to Mid Sweden University as a research engineer
Stefani Rydblom defended her Doctoral thesis at Mid Sweden University in 2019 and has since worked as a researcher at RISE. She is now returning to Mid Sweden University in the role of a research engineer, where she will, among other things, develop positioning technology at the STC Research Centre.
A background in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering
Stefani graduated with a master of science in applied physics and electrical in Linköping and then moved to Västerås where she worked as a systems engineer in train vehicles, then owned by Bombardier, later Alstom.
- Västerås has strong expertise and a tradition of over 100 years in industrial manufacturing and development of electric power components. I worked for many years with the development of control systems on trains, and also with technical project management, says Stefani.
Despite an exciting career in the railway industry, Stefani missed being closer to nature and the mountains, which led her and her family to move to Sundsvall/Timrå. After five years in various industrial companies in Västernorrland, and a temporary job as a news reporter, she decided to pursue a PhD in Electronics at Mid Sweden University.
Curious about the academia
- I had been working in the private industry for 12 years and done a lot of other things. I was curious about the academia and therefore applied for a PhD-student position at Mid Sweden University. It was a decision I made for my own sake – a chance to immerse myself in my interests, says Stefani.
During her PhD studies, she researched image processing algorithms and combined mechanical and optical measurement systems. This interest began already during her undergraduate studies and was something that she also benefited from during her years in the railway industry.
- In the work for my doctoral thesis, I developed an optical measurement system to identify the risk of ice formation on wind turbines. It was both practically difficult and required a lot of knowledge in physics. I learned a lot about water droplets, fog and the influence of the atmosphere, says Stefani.
After her dissertation, Stefani worked as a researcher at RISE - Research Institutes of Sweden, where she participated in several research projects focusing on industrial digitalization. But when a position as research engineer at Mid Sweden University came up, the choice was clear.
"I longed to go back to Mid Sweden University. There is an open and friendly atmosphere here that makes you get on."
- I longed to go back to Mid Sweden University. There is an open and friendly atmosphere here. At a smaller university, everyone has a significant role and an opportunity for personal development. We work closely together in teams, and it's not so hierarchical. That was probably the main reason why I wanted to come back, says Stefani.
Developing Labs for Positioning
Today, Stefani is working on building an advanced lab environment to develop positioning algorithms. In the lab, several different technologies such as GPS, Bluetooth and 5G, are combined to improve positioning.
- The challenge lies in the limitations of radio technology in indoor environments where walls, doors and other objects can weaken signals. Our research group is working on developing AI algorithms that will optimize positioning, Stefani concludes.
Stefani works as a research engineer for the research project ENSURE 6G together with the research group Communication Systems and Networks, which is led by Prof. Mikael Gidlund.
