Electrical Signal Processing ASIC Design for Imaging Spectrometers

Imec; Vlaams-Brabant; On-site; EUR 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

imec is offering a Master internship focused on Electrical Signal Processing ASIC Design for Imaging Spectrometers. The project blends readout circuitry, signal conditioning, and mixed-signal design to enable accurate spectral data from photodetector signals.

You'll build models, simulate circuits, and collaborate with researchers in an international, multidisciplinary setting, balancing architecture development, circuit design, and system analysis.

Qualifications

• Master-level candidate in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Proficiency with circuit simulation tools, Verilog/SystemVerilog, Python or MATLAB.
• Interest in analog and mixed-signal ASIC design for imaging spectrometers.

Responsibilities

• Investigate ROIC and controller ASIC architectures, including detector biasing, signal integration, amplification, sampling, and ADC.
• Develop behavioral and circuit-level models to evaluate signal processing requirements and performance.
• Design and simulate analog and mixed-signal circuits for photodetector interfaces using appropriate EDA tools.
• Evaluate optical-electrical system trade-offs: noise, dynamic range, spectral accuracy, speed, and power.
• Support circuit verification and prototype evaluation, including layout-related activities and experimental characterization.

Skills

ASIC design

Verilog

Python

MATLAB

Signal processing

Education

Electrical Engineering (Master or pursuing Master)

Tools

EDA tools

Circuit simulation tools

Verilog/SystemVerilog

Job description

/ Electrical Signal Processing ASIC Design for Imaging Spectrometers

Electrical Signal Processing ASIC Design for Imaging Spectrometers

From photodetector signals to spectral data: co-optimized readout circuits and electrical signal processing for imaging spectrometers.

Imaging spectrometers capture bothspatial and spectral information for applications such as materialidentification, environmental monitoring, and industrial sensing. Theirperformance depends not only on optical filters and photodetectors but also onthe electrical readout and signal processing circuits. Designing compactimaging spectrometers requires efficient readout integrated circuits (ROICs)and controller architectures that provide accurate signal acquisition whilemaintaining low noise, high dynamic range, and low power consumption.

This project explores electricalsignal processing ASIC architectures for imaging spectrometers, focusing on theintegration of photodetector readout, signal conditioning, and mixed-signalcircuit design. System-level modeling and circuit simulations will be used toevaluate the interactions between optical response, detector characteristics,and electrical readout performance.

What You Will Do

You will get the chance to:

• InvestigateROIC and controller ASIC architectures , including detector biasing,signal integration, amplification, sampling, and analog-to-digitalconversion.
• Developbehavioral and circuit-level models to evaluate electrical signalprocessing requirements and system performance.
• Designand simulate analog and mixed-signal circuits for photodetector interfacesusing appropriate EDA tools.
• Evaluateoptical-electrical system trade-offs , including noise, dynamicrange, spectral accuracy, acquisition speed, and power consumption.
• Supportcircuit verification and prototype evaluation , potentially includinglayout-related activities and experimental characterization.

Your design work will be supportedby system-level analysis and circuit simulations to understand how electricaldesign choices influence imaging spectrometer performance. You will also havethe opportunity to collaborate with experienced researchers and engineers in aninternational multidisciplinary research environment.

Requirements

The project offers experience inanalog and mixed-signal ASIC design, sensor interface circuits, and electricalsignal processing for imaging spectrometers. A background in electricalengineering, electronic circuits, semiconductor devices, or integrated circuitdesign is desirable. Experience with circuit simulation tools,Verilog/SystemVerilog, Python, or MATLAB is an advantage. The balance betweenarchitecture development, circuit design, and system-level analysis can beadjusted to the candidate's background and interests. A strong command ofEnglish is essential for effective communication.

Time Distribution

40% ASIC architecture and circuitdesign, 30% modeling and simulation, 20% verification and characterization, 10%literature study and reporting

Type of internship: Master internship

Duration: 12months

Required educational background: Electrotechnics/Electrical Engineering

University promotor: Jan Genoe (KU Leuven)

The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-325. Mention this reference code in your application.

Only for self-supporting students.

Applications should include the following information:

• resume
• motivation
• current study

The Challenge

Imaging spectrometers capture bothspatial and spectral information for applications such as materialidentification, environmental monitoring, and industrial sensing. Theirperformance depends not only on optical filters and photodetectors but also onthe electrical readout and signal processing circuits. Designing compactimaging spectrometers requires efficient readout integrated circuits (ROICs)and controller architectures that provide accurate signal acquisition whilemaintaining low noise, high dynamic range, and low power consumption.

This project explores electricalsignal processing ASIC architectures for imaging spectrometers, focusing on theintegration of photodetector readout, signal conditioning, and mixed-signalcircuit design. System-level modeling and circuit simulations will be used toevaluate the interactions between optical response, detector characteristics,and electrical readout performance.

What You Will Do

You will get the chance to:

• InvestigateROIC and controller ASIC architectures , including detector biasing,signal integration, amplification, sampling, and analog-to-digitalconversion.
• Developbehavioral and circuit-level models to evaluate electrical signalprocessing requirements and system performance.
• Designand simulate analog and mixed-signal circuits for photodetector interfacesusing appropriate EDA tools.
• Evaluateoptical-electrical system trade-offs , including noise, dynamicrange, spectral accuracy, acquisition speed, and power consumption.
• Supportcircuit verification and prototype evaluation , potentially includinglayout-related activities and experimental characterization.

Your design work will be supportedby system-level analysis and circuit simulations to understand how electricaldesign choices influence imaging spectrometer performance. You will also havethe opportunity to collaborate with experienced researchers and engineers in aninternational multidisciplinary research environment.

Requirements

The project offers experience inanalog and mixed-signal ASIC design, sensor interface circuits, and electricalsignal processing for imaging spectrometers. A background in electricalengineering, electronic circuits, semiconductor devices, or integrated circuitdesign is desirable. Experience with circuit simulation tools,Verilog/SystemVerilog, Python, or MATLAB is an advantage. The balance betweenarchitecture development, circuit design, and system-level analysis can beadjusted to the candidate's background and interests. A strong command ofEnglish is essential for effective communication.

Time Distribution

40% ASIC architecture and circuitdesign, 30% modeling and simulation, 20% verification and characterization, 10%literature study and reporting

Type of internship: Master internship

Duration: 12months

Required educational background: Electrotechnics/Electrical Engineering

University promotor: Jan Genoe (KU Leuven)

Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Jaewon Nam ( [e-mail] ) and Gokhan Kara ( [e-mail] )

The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-325. Mention this reference code in your application.

Only for self-supporting students.

Applications should include the following information:

• resume
• motivation
• current study

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

imec's cleanroom