Postdoctoral Researcher in Embedded Hardware, FPGA, Edge AI and Smart Sensors

ETH Zurich; Zürich; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

ETH Zurich's D-ITET research group is seeking a postdoctoral researcher with a strong hands-on embedded hardware and FPGA background to lead hardware projects and contribute to teaching.

You will develop complete embedded systems from sensors to firmware, supervise students, and engage in European project coordination and fundraising. This position offers an international, collaborative environment at ETH Zurich in Zurich, with access to advanced lab infrastructure.

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering or closely related field.
• Strong hands-on embedded hardware background including FPGA design.
• Experience with sensors, MCUs/SoCs and hardware–software co-design.

Responsibilities

• Develop complete embedded systems from sensors to firmware and deployment.
• Teach embedded systems, FPGA-based design, and machine learning on microcontrollers.
• Supervise Bachelor and Master projects; contribute to lab organization and mentoring.
• Coordinate European and national research projects and proposals; engage with partners.

Skills

FPGA design

HDL development

Embedded C/C++

Hardware debugging

Sensor integration

Edge AI/TinyML

PCB design

Real-time signal processing

Teaching

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering or closely related field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Power analyzers

PCB design software

Job description

D-ITET PBL is a research and teaching group at ETH Zurich working on embedded systems, Edge AI, TinyML, smart sensing, FPGA-based systems, autonomous robots, and drones. We are looking for a talented and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong hands-on hardware and FPGA background, who is interested in contributing substantially to both research and teaching.

The ideal candidate should enjoy developing complete embedded systems, from sensor and processor selection to PCB design, FPGA/MCU implementation, firmware development, hardware debugging, and deployment of signal-processing and machine-learning algorithms.

A significant part of the position will also involve teaching and student supervision, particularly in the areas of embedded systems, FPGA design, electronics, and machine learning on microcontrollers.

Job description

Candidates should have a PhD in Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.

A strong practical embedded hardware background is essential, including experience in several of the following areas:

• FPGA design and implementation, including HDL development and hardware/software co-design
• Design and development of complete embedded hardware/software systems
• PCB schematic design, layout, board bring-up, debugging, and validation
• Integration of sensors, microcontrollers, FPGAs, SoCs, and embedded processors
• Embedded programming in C/C++
• Real-time signal processing and embedded perception, hardware-aware AI
• Interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, USB, Ethernet, MIPI, or similar
• Use of oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power analyzers, and hardware debugging tools
• Deployment and optimization of machine-learning models on resource-constrained hardware

Candidates should also have experience or strong interest in Edge AI, TinyML, embedded machine learning, neuromorphic computing, or signal processing.

We are looking for someone who can take ownership of a prototype from concept to a complete working hardware/software system, rather than focusing exclusively on simulation or algorithm development.

Teaching Responsibilities

Teaching is an important component of the position.

The successful candidate will contribute to:

• Teaching embedded systems
• Teaching and supporting FPGA-based design
• Teaching machine learning on microcontrollers and embedded processors
• Development of hands-on laboratory exercises and demonstrators
• Supervision of Bachelor and Master projects
• Co-supervision of PhD students
• Support of large project-based learning activities

We are particularly interested in candidates who genuinely enjoy working with students and who see teaching, mentoring, and hands-on prototyping as an integral part of the position.

Project Management and Fundraising Responsibilities

The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the strategic development of the group through:

• Supporing the preparation of European and national research proposals
• Contribution to Horizon Europe, MSCA, SNSF, Innosuisse, ESA, and other competitive funding applications
• Identification of new funding opportunities and preparation of technical work plans
• Coordination and management of European research projects and work packages
• Interaction with international academic and industrial partners
• Preparation of project deliverables, reports, milestones, and reviews
• Support in budget, resource, and task planning together with the PI and administrative staff
• Organization of technical meetings and coordination across project partners
• Contribution to the definition of new research directions and collaborative projects

Experience in European project preparation or management is highly desirable, especially for candidates interested in taking a more senior and independent role within the group.

Additional Responsibilities

Beyond research and teaching, the successful candidate will contribute to the broader development and operation of the group.

• Coordination of laboratory equipment, embedded platforms, sensors, prototyping tools, and shared infrastructure
• Support for the organization, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the lab environment
• Definition of good practices for hardware development, documentation, safety, equipment usage, and shared resources
• Support and mentoring of students and researchers using laboratory equipment
• Contribution to the acquisition and selection of new laboratory equipment and prototyping platforms

The position therefore combines hands-on technical research, teaching, student supervision, project management, and fundraising. We are looking for someone who can contribute not only scientifically, but also help develop and coordinate larger collaborative research activities.

Profile

Candidate Profile and Application Requirements

This position is intended for candidates with a strong hands-on embedded hardware profile. Applications that are primarily focused on software, data science, or machine learning without demonstrated embedded hardware experience will not be considered.

Applicants should provide clear evidence of at eleast 5-6 of the following topics:

• Hands-on FPGA development and HDL design
• Development and debugging of complete embedded systems
• PCB design, board bring-up, or substantial hardware integration experience
• Embedded C/C++ development on MCUs, SoCs, or similar platforms
• Experience integrating and experimentally validating sensors and embedded platforms
• A strong publication record directly related to embedded systems, smart sensing, FPGA, Edge AI, or closely related topics
• Interest and experience in teaching and student supervision
• Ability or strong interest in European project coordination and research proposal preparation
• Willingness to take responsibility for laboratory infrastructure and hands-on teaching activities

The ideal candidate will have defended their PhD within the past two years and should ideally not have already spent more than 3 years in fix-term academic employment at ETH Zurich or EPFL.

In the motivation letter, candidates should briefly describe two hardware systems they personally designed and implemented, specifying their individual contribution, the processors/FPGAs/sensors used, and the resulting working prototype.

Applications that do not clearly address these requirements may not be considered.

We offer

• A postdoctoral position in D-ITET at ETH Zurich, in a highly international and interdisciplinary research environment
• The opportunity to work within PBL on hands-on research combining embedded hardware, FPGA systems, smart sensors, Edge AI, TinyML, robotics, and autonomous systems
• Access to advanced laboratory infrastructure, embedded platforms, FPGA systems, sensors, robotics platforms, and prototyping equipment
• The possibility to take substantial ownership of real hardware prototypes and demonstrators, from initial concept to experimental validation
• Active involvement in teaching at ETH Zurich, including embedded systems, FPGA design, machine learning on microcontrollers, and project-based learning activities
• Opportunities to supervise Bachelor, Master, and PhD students and to contribute to the development of new teaching activities
• The opportunity to take responsibility for parts of the research and teaching laboratory, including equipment, platforms, and technical organization
• Direct involvement in European and national research projects, including project coordination, work-package leadership, deliverables, reviews, and interaction with international partners
• The opportunity to contribute to fundraising and proposal preparation for Horizon Europe, SNSF, Innosuisse, ESA, MSCA, and other competitive programs
• Strong interaction with academic and industrial partners in embedded systems, sensing, robotics, and Edge AI
• Support for developing an increasingly independent research profile, including leading publications, supervising students, initiating new research directions, and contributing to new proposals
• A stimulating environment in which research, teaching, hardware development, and project leadership are closely connected
• Competitive employment conditions according to ETH Zurich regulations and the opportunity to work and live in Zurich

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

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About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising inscience and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education,cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledgeinto society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find ouruniversity to be a place that promotes independent thinking and anenvironment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe,yet forging connections all over the world, we work together todevelop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.