Our brains are incredibly energy efficient and can process incredible amounts of data a million times more energy efficient than the best supercomputers. Therefore, there is now a global wide effort to develop neuromorphic devices for energy efficient computing enabling new technologies and to reduce energy consumption to combat climate change. Inspired by our own molecular “supercomputer”, our brains, the aim of this project is to upscale artificial neural networks based on molecule-polymer hybrid devices. The molecular hybrid structures exploit the dynamical behavior of such systems needed to create devices tailored for spike-timing dependent computing. The challenge will be to develop fabrication methods that preserve the molecule polymer hybrid structures and their dynamical properties. The goal is fabricate large arrays of junctions and to study the energy efficiency of these artificial neural networks.
The fully financed position is available at the University of Twente (UT), The Netherlands, within the Faculty of Science and Technology in the Nijhuis group of Hybrid Materials for OptoElectronics (HMOE). At the UT you are part of the unparalleled possibilities at MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Molecules Center and BRAINS (Center for Brain-Inspired NanoSytems).
Information and application
Please send your online application before 1st of Feb, 2025, and should include:
* A motivation letter describing why you apply for this position, with a description of your research interests, qualifications and motivations (no more than 1 page A4).
* A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
* Contact information for at least three academic references.
* Transcripts from your Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degrees.
Interviews will be held following the submission closure.
You are welcome to contact me, prof. dr. Christian A. Nijhuis on c.a.nijhuis@utwente.nl for more information about the vacancy.
About the department
The candidate will work in Nijhuis group of Hybrid Materials for OptoElectronics (HMOE) located in the department of Molecules and Materials, Faculty of Science & Technology. Our group has a strong history in the development of molecular opto-electronic devices to unravel new mechanisms of charge transport and the interplay between nanoscale electronics and plasmonics which are important in various areas of science ranging from biology, green energy and energy storage, catalysis, to nano-electronics and modern-day data processing. Recently, we have developed multi-functional molecular switches that are highly efficient diodes and memory devices, which we are now extending to applications in neuromorphic electronics.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. 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 and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
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