Phd On "hybrid-photonic Neural Networks On Chip" - Eindhoven, Nederland - TU Eindhoven

TU Eindhoven
TU Eindhoven
Geverifieerd bedrijf
Eindhoven, Nederland

2 weken geleden

Daan Van den Berg

Geplaatst door:

Daan Van den Berg

werver van beBee


Beschrijving

Job description:


Research challenges
You will be working within the newly granted NWA ORC (Research along Routes by Consortia) "NL-ECO" project.


See here for more information:
Big consortium starts research into energy-efficient information technology ).

Within this extensive project framework, we will focus on combining mapping photonics neural networks on IMOS technology for frontier neural network research and accelerators.

The project is among the first to bridge electronic ICs and photonic ICs with the target of enable scalable, high bandwidth and low latency computation monolithically on chip.

This research will enable a whole new class of reconfigurable neural network layouts, which could lead to highly efficient optical processing engines.

Several on-chip computing paradigms have already been proposed using light. However, optimal solutions and scalability at the small energy and low latency are still far ahead. A different approach needs to be explored and realized within this program.

The Photonic Neural Network (PNN) Lab within the ECO group at TU/e aims to synergically collaborate with the Photonic Integration (PhI) group to leverage the intrinsic strengths of the IMOS photonic integration technology.


The PhD student will explore different brain-inspired neural network models and investigate suitability and mapping into programmable layout designs on chip, exploiting multi-project wafer and dedicated runs on IMOS, to include laser sources, modulators, PDs and all devices needed for enabling neural network based computation.

He/she will explore localized (PCM based
- or similar) memory for zero-power synaptic operations and of non-linearities on IMOS for the most energy efficient computation and footprint efficiency. He will develop proof-of-concept prototypes supporting high connectivity synaptic operations and photonic neural networks. He will perform scalability analysis and investigation of the maximum allowed neuron fan-in and its cascadability for deducing the physical layer metrics and foresee the ultimate computing metrics in terms of energy efficiency, computational speed and form-factor.


The team


The PhD position is based within the Electro-Optical Communication Systems (ECO) group, in collaboration with the Photonic Integration (PhI) group, which are both part of the Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute (EHCI) and of the Eindhoven AI System Institute (EAISI).

The ECO group has about 73 members, 55 of which are PhD students and PDs, and 18 are staff members, focusing on photonic technology for communication and computation.

The PhI group focuses on ground-breaking designs and fabrication of top-notch integration technologies.

The PhD student will also closely be connected to the NL-ECO consortium for idea cross-fertilization and for developing novel synergic research within the same consortium [Big consortium starts research into energy-efficient information technology )].

The student will also closely interact with other 2 PhD students who will do adjacent and connected work on the algorithms and photonic integrated sides.


Job requirements:


  • Hold a Master within Electrical Engineering or Applied Physics or on Photonics;
  • Strong background in photonics and integrated photonics;
  • Background in semiconductor devices and general knowledge about semiconductor physics, modelling, and component design and in system integration;
  • Good programming skills, and a strong affinity with AI models;
  • Plus: some initial fabrication skills in clean room;
  • Capable of taking initiatives and has a strong problem solving attitude;
  • Good communication skills, fluent in English, both in speaking and writing, and good teamworking capabilities and is capable of meeting hard deadlines;

Conditions of employment:

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.


In addition, we offer you:

  • Fulltime employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/nogo) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
  • Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the _Collective Labour Agreement_ for Dutch Universities.
  • A yearend bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
  • Highquality training programs and other support to grow into a selfaware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
  • An excellent technical infrastructure, oncampus children's day care and sports facilities.
  • An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
  • For a PostDoc; A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training

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