Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in Computer Architecture: Novel Processors and AI Accelerators

HiPEAC; Clausthal-Zellerfeld; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days vacation

Annual bonus

Supplementary pension plan (VBL)

Job summary

HiPEAC invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher in Computer Architecture at Clausthal University of Technology. You will pursue a PhD in processor design or hardware accelerators for SNNs, with opportunities for innovation in a dynamic hardware group.

The position is full-time and fixed-term for three years, located on-site in Clausthal-Zellerfeld. The group emphasizes energy-efficient hardware and modern design flows using Chisel and Clash, with international collaboration and teaching

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in computer science, electrical engineering, computational engineering or a related field.
• Knowledge of computer architecture and hands-on experience with FPGAs.
• Good command of English.
• Teamwork, commitment and ability to work independently.
• Plus: knowledge of RISC-V, Chisel or spiking neural networks.

Responsibilities

• Conduct doctoral research in one of two areas: processor design or hardware accelerators for spiking neural networks.
• Publish results at international conferences and journals.
• Contribute to teaching to the usual extent, in German or English.

Skills

Computer architecture

FPGAs experience

English proficiency

Teamwork

Education

Master's degree in CS/EE/Computational engineering

Tools

Chisel

Clash

RISC-V

Job description

Are you interested in computer architecture and hardware design and keen to pursue a PhD? The Computational Engineering group at TU Clausthal’s Institute for Informatics is looking for a doctoral researcher in one of two research areas: processor design or hardware accelerators for spiking neural networks.

At a glance

• Location: Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany (on-site)
• Full-time, fixed-term, initially 3 years
• Salary: up to TV-L E13
• Start: as soon as possible
• Reference: CE26-1

About the group

Our group works on modern hardware design, aiming for computing systems that are more capable while using less energy and fewer resources. Our research covers the entire design flow from logic synthesis to FPGA implementation, using and extending modern hardware construction languages such as Chisel and Clash.

Research areas

• Processor design: RISC-V processors and their extensions, as well as novel processor architectures that do without conventional registers. In an international collaboration, you will take a new architecture from the initial concept to its first hardware implementation on FPGAs.
• Hardware accelerators for spiking neural networks (SNNs): SNNs process information in short pulses, much like the brain, and are a promising route to energy-efficient AI hardware. Building on the group’s own SNN architecture and Chisel-based design tools, tasks range from extending the architecture and tools to implementing larger networks and new applications on FPGAs.

In both areas, there is plenty of room for your own ideas.

• Research in one of the two areas, leading to a doctorate
• Publishing your results at international conferences and in journals
• Contributing to teaching to the usual extent, in German or English

Your profile

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) with above-average grades in computer science, electrical engineering, computational engineering or a related field
• Knowledge of computer architecture and hands-on experience with FPGAs
• Good command of English
• Teamwork, commitment and the ability to work independently
• A plus: knowledge of RISC-V, Chisel or (spiking) neural networks

What we offer

• A doctorate in an active research environment, with personal supervision
• Flexible working hours, part-time options and remote work within the scope of institutional possibilities
• 30 days of vacation, an annual bonus and a supplementary pension plan (VBL)

Applications from people of all nationalities are welcome. Persons with severe disabilities will be given priority if suitably qualified.

Clausthal University of Technology offers a unique educational experience in the Harz region, emphasizing practical learning in engineering, natural sciences, IT, business, and economics, attracting global attention.

Metadata

Topics: Accelerators, Approximate computing, Artificial intelligence, Computer architecture, CPUs, EDA, Energy efficiency / Low-power computing, FPGAs, Hardware, Neural networks, RISC-V

Summary

The Computational Engineering group at TU Clausthal seeks a Doctoral Researcher in Computer Architecture for processor design or AI accelerators. Full-time, fixed-term, with opportunities for innovation and personal growth.

Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in Computer Architecture: Novel Processors and AI Accelerators

Full-time

Clausthal University of Technology

The Computational Engineering group at TU Clausthal seeks a Doctoral Researcher in Computer Architecture for processor design or AI accelerators. Full-time, fixed-term, with opportunities for innovation and personal growth.

Are you interested in computer architecture and hardware design and keen to pursue a PhD? The Computational Engineering group at TU Clausthal’s Institute for Informatics is looking for a doctoral researcher in one of two research areas: processor design or hardware accelerators for spiking neural networks.

At a glance

• Location: Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany (on-site)
• Full-time, fixed-term, initially 3 years
• Salary: up to TV-L E13
• Start: as soon as possible
• Reference: CE26-1

About the group

Our group works on modern hardware design, aiming for computing systems that are more capable while using less energy and fewer resources. Our research covers the entire design flow from logic synthesis to FPGA implementation, using and extending modern hardware construction languages such as Chisel and Clash.

Research areas

• Processor design: RISC-V processors and their extensions, as well as novel processor architectures that do without conventional registers. In an international collaboration, you will take a new architecture from the initial concept to its first hardware implementation on FPGAs.
• Hardware accelerators for spiking neural networks (SNNs): SNNs process information in short pulses, much like the brain, and are a promising route to energy-efficient AI hardware. Building on the group’s own SNN architecture and Chisel-based design tools, tasks range from extending the architecture and tools to implementing larger networks and new applications on FPGAs.

In both areas, there is plenty of room for your own ideas.

• Research in one of the two areas, leading to a doctorate
• Publishing your results at international conferences and in journals
• Contributing to teaching to the usual extent, in German or English

Your profile

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) with above-average grades in computer science, electrical engineering, computational engineering or a related field
• Knowledge of computer architecture and hands-on experience with FPGAs
• Good command of English
• Teamwork, commitment and the ability to work independentlyA plus: knowledge of RISC-V, Chisel or (spiking) neural networks

What we offer

• A doctorate in an active research environment, with personal supervision
• Flexible working hours, part-time options and remote work within the scope of institutional possibilities
• 30 days of vacation, an annual bonus and a supplementary pension plan (VBL)

Applications from people of all nationalities are welcome. Persons with severe disabilities will be given priority if suitably qualified.

The HiPEAC project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation funding programme under grant agreement number 101296676. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.