Postdoc position on Nonlinear processing units for CMOS-compatible brain-inspired computing

Job description

This position is part of the Horizon Europe Pathfinder project HYBRAIN, coordinated by the University of Twente and in collaboration with IBM Zürich and the universities of Oxford and Heidelberg. HYBRAIN’s vision is to realize a radically new technology for ultra-fast and energy-efficient edge AI inference based on a world-first, unique, brain-inspired hybrid architecture of integrated photonics and unconventional electronics with collocated memory and processing. As the most stringent latency bottleneck in CNNs arise from the initial convolution layers, we will take advantage of the ultrahigh throughput and low latency of photonic convolutional processors (PCPs). Their output is processed using cascaded analog electronic linear and novel nonlinear classifier layers.

In 2020 we introduced the concept of dopant network processing units (DNPUs, Nature 577, 341-345 (2020). In this postdoc project you will work on the development of efficient (CMOS-based) electronics and machine-learning procedures to be applied in hybrid architectures of DNPU networks, integrated photonics and analog in-memory computing.

Your profile

• You are a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher;
• You have a PhD degree in the field of microelectronics, computer architecture or similar with an affection for machine learning and (solid-state) physics;
• You are an independent and original thinker with a creative mindset;
• You are a fast thinker with excellent analytical and communication skills;
• You have good team spirit and like to work in an internationally oriented environment;
• You are experienced with Python and Pytorch;
• You are fluent in English.

Our offer

• You will be appointed for a period of maximum 3 years full-time within a very stimulating scientific environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
• Gross salary between € 3.877,- and €5.090,- per month depending on experience and qualifications;
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3% and a solid pension scheme;
• Between 29 and 41 leave days in case of full-time employment;
• Excellent support for research and facilities for professional and personal development.
• We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other university staff.
• We are also a family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid) and career support for partners.

Information and application

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before July 15th, and include:

• A motivation letter
• A detailed CV, summarizing your education and previous work experience.

For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Prof. Wilfred G. van der Wiel (W.G.vanderWiel@utwente.nl).

About the department

You will be working in the NanoElectronics Group of Prof. Van der Wiel. The NanoElectronics Group (NE) performs research and provides education in the field of nanoelectronics, comprising the study of the electronic and magnetic properties of systems with critical dimensions in the nanoregime. It is our mission to excel in the field of nanoelectronics through the development of novel (concepts for) electronic devices and systems with nanoscale dimensions for application in future generations of electronics and information storage. In particular, we focus on neuromorphic electronics, quantum (spin) electronics, 2D electronic systems and acousto-electronics. The NanoElectronics Group is a founding member of BRAINS, the Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems at the University of Twente (www.utwente.nl/brains).

About the organisation

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrow's digital society. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.