Postdoctoral Researcher in Embedded Hardware, FPGA, Edge AI and Smart Sensors 80%-100%

ETH Zurich; Zürich; On-site; CHF 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive employment conditions

Opportunity to work and live in Zurich

Job summary

ETH Zurich's D-ITET PBL invites a postdoctoral researcher with hands‑on hardware and FPGA expertise to advance embedded systems, Edge AI, TinyML, and robotics. The role blends research, teaching, and supervision, spanning hardware development from concept to working prototypes and active lab leadership.

The successful candidate will teach embedded systems, FPGA design, and ML on microcontrollers, while guiding student projects and coordinating European research efforts.

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering or closely related field is required.
• Strong hands‑on embedded hardware background with FPGA/HDL experience is essential.
• Experience in developing complete embedded hardware/software systems and real‑time processing is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Teach embedded systems, FPGA‑based design, and machine learning on microcontrollers.
• Develop hands‑on laboratory exercises and demonstrators; supervise Bachelor, Master, and PhD projects.
• Coordinate European and national research proposals and manage project work packages.

Skills

FPGA development

HDL design

Embedded C/C++

PCB design

Hardware debugging

Sensor integration

SoCs/embedded processors

Real‑time signal processing

Edge AI

Machine learning on microcontrollers

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Logic analyzers

Power analyzers

HDL tooling

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.

• 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.

• 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

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit the Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us - we are consistently working towards a climate‑neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Michele Magno [e-mail] (no applications).

We would like to point out that the pre‑selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.