1. Vacancies
  2. Postdoc position on Material learning with dopant network processing units

Postdoc position on Material learning with dopant network processing units

Are you interested in a job at the interface of machine learning and device physics to contribute to a new generation of energy-efficient hardware for artificial intelligence? If you have a PhD with a background in semiconductor physics, electrical engineering or machine learning, you may want to apply for this postdoc position within the Horizon Europe Pathfinder project HYBRAIN.

Apply now
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Stefano Stramigioli
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Eline Meijerink
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Ying Wang
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Kuan Chen
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Britt Büter
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Jeroen Blok
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Clara Stegehuis

Key takeaways

  • Hours
    40 hr.
  • Salary indication
    Salary gross/monthly
    based on full-time
    € 2,901 - € 3,707
  • Deadline
    31 Jan 2025

This position is part of the Horizon Europe Pathfinder project HYBRAIN. 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 arises 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 analogue 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 machine-learning procedures to be applied to DNPU networks in combination with photonic and analogue electronic hardware. We will move to larger multi-DNPU networks and investigate the training performance of various conventional gradient descent methods for multi-DNPU networks in simulation first.

Your profile

* You are a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher;

* You have a PhD degree in the field of semiconductor physics, electrical engineering or similar with an affection for machine learning;

* 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 a maximum of 2 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 € 4.060,- and € 5.331,- 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;

* 41 leave days per year based on a fulltime 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 February 1, 2025, and include:

* A motivation letter, emphasizing your specific interest and motivation to apply for a Postdoc position in our group.

* A detailed Curriculum Vitae including your publications, awards, and working experience. Your CV should demonstrate the scope of your work and education and indicate a good fit with the stated requirements for the position.

* References (contact information) of two scientific staff members (one of whom should be the supervisor of your MSc thesis/final project) who are willing to provide a recommendation letter at our request.

The first round of interviews will be held on February 17, 2025.

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

Share this vacancy

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 nano regime. 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.

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.

Want to know more?

Wiel, W.G. van der (Wilfred)

Wiel, W.G. van der (Wilfred)
Full Professor of Nano Electronics, Director Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems (BRAINS)

Wiel, W.G. van der (Wilfred)
Full Professor of Nano Electronics, Director Center for Brain-Inspired Nano Systems (BRAINS)

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Wilfred for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.

How to apply

Step 1

Apply.
When you see a vacancy that appeals to you, you can apply online. We ask you to upload a CV and motivation letter and/or list of publications. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.

Apply now

Step 2

Selection.
The selection committee will review your application and you will receive a response within 2 weeks after the vacancy has been closed.

Step 3

1st interview.
The 1st (online or in person) meeting serves as an introduction where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.

Step 4

2nd interview.
In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills and your talents.

Step 5

The offer.
If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer. If applicable, we will sign you up for screening.

Your Colleagues

About the faculty EEMCS

Curious about what the faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) stands for? Check out the EEMCS website for more information.

A job that matters

Create new opportunities for yourself, your colleagues and our society. Scientist or teacher, administrator or facilitator, thinker or doer, energetic leader or silent support – your work at the University of Twente matters. And you too!

  • Our mission
    Human Touch

    At the UT it’s all about people, in line with our university’s High Tech Human Touch philosophy. In everything we do, the well-being and future of our students and staff are paramount. From research and teaching to personnel management, campus management and the use of new technologies.

  • Our mission
    We are a university of technology

    Our university is a public institution that serves society. We are accountable to society for the ways in which we use our academic freedom. We are responsible for ensuring that the power of science and technology is harnessed to achieve the best possible impact in a changing world. We cherish our rich tradition of combining technical and social sciences in our five profiling themes: Improving healthcare by personalized technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world.

  • Our mission
    We help to strengthen society

    We help society meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. But we are also transparent about what science and technology can and cannot do in finding sustainable solutions. And help translate these solutions into everyday life.

  • Our mission
    We are sustainable

    We want our communities to flourish and show resilience, so we seize opportunities for innovation. We are knowledgeable and have an eye for what society needs. Our students and staff receive all the guidance they need in their quest for ecological, social and economic sustainability.
    “The University of Twente is all about people. Our sustainable technologies help to strengthen society.”

Browse all jobs