PhD Position – Hybrid electronic/photonic integrated neuromorphic computing systems for large-s[...]

There exists a substantial gap between the computational abilities of modern computers and those of the brain. The new Peter Grünberg Institute – Neuromorphic Compute Nodes (PGI-14) aims to close this gap and develop novel computing capabilities by incorporating some of the remarkable features found in biological brains. We aim to lower the energy consumption of today’s hardware while expanding our understanding of the fundamentals of computation. Practical application areas include AI and machine learning, intractable NP‑hard problems, scientific computing, and signal processing. We utilize novel technologies such as analog memristors combined with modern CMOS elements to build practical circuits and integrated chips for end‑to‑end demonstrations in the laboratory. The institute collaborates closely with the Peter Grünberg Institute – Neuromorphic Software Ecosystem (PGI-15) and with device, materials, circuit researchers and neuroscientists at the Forschungszentrum Jülich.

Project Description

You will participate in the EU‑funded Doctoral Network project MINDnet, which includes 15 Ph.D. students across 7 universities, one research centre and two companies, with partners from eight EU countries. The project focuses on neuromorphic computing and analog signal processing for applications in communication, sensing, geolocalisation, space and biomedical fields. The Ph.D. project will be based at PGI‑14 in Jülich with secondments of three months at HPE Belgium, SpiNNcloud Systems GmbH and Technical University Ilmenau, and will include regular meetings, training schools and workshops.

Responsibilities and Tasks

• Investigate and design optimal computing and communication architectures for hardware acceleration of large‑scale machine‑learning workloads.
• Perform characterization and modeling of electronic and optical devices.
• Develop hardware‑aware machine‑learning models incorporating device constraints.
• Design and implement hardware‑efficient training methodologies for machine‑learning systems.
• Conduct comparative benchmarking and performance analysis against state‑of‑the‑art studies.
• Perform numerical modeling and validation of brain‑inspired and neuromorphic algorithms.
• Design, set up, and operate experimental systems for circuit‑level measurements and data analysis.

Required Profile

• Due to the mobility rules of the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie programme, you must not have resided or carried out your main activity in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before your recruitment date.
• Master’s degree in electrical/electronic engineering, computer engineering, computer science, physics or a related field.
• Experience with emerging memory devices.
• Strong electronics background, including analysis and simulation of analog, digital or mixed‑signal circuits and experience with SPICE, LTspice, Cadence, MATLAB and Python.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a team.
• Very good command of written and spoken English (at least B2 level according to CEFR).

Additional Obligations

Travel to network partners under three secondments totalling 2–3 months is expected, as well as participation in outreach activities such as creating YouTube videos, updating social media, attending public events and disseminating results to the press.

Benefits

• Research & Infrastructure: Participation in a world‑leading international research environment with state‑of‑the‑art equipment.
• Team & Environment: Collaborate with physicists, neuroscientists, materials scientists and engineers in an interdisciplinary field.
• Work‑life balance: Flexible working hours and location options.
• Annual Leave: 30 days.
• Knowledge & Development: Professional development support, including training and networking opportunities for doctoral candidates.
• Fair remuneration: Classified in pay group 13 (75%) of the TVöD‑Bund, with a basic salary, year‑end bonus of 75% of the monthly salary and capital‑forming benefits.
• Prospects: Position initially for a fixed term of 3 years with the prospect of longer‑term employment.
• International support: International Advisory Service to facilitate the start‑up of international employees.

Employment Details

• Place of Employment: Aachen.
• Start Date: To the next possible date.
• Salary: Pay group 13 (75%) TVöD‑Bund.
• Application Deadline: Until the position is successfully filled.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including age, gender, disability, sexual orientation/identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities is important to us.