Postdoctoral researcher in FPAA-based analog computing and hybrid architectures (M/F)

CNRS; France; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The CNRS Georgia Tech–CNRS research unit in Metz invites applications for a Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) in Engineering Physics. The project focuses on FPAA–FPGA hybrid architectures, scalable optimization, and distributed analog computing within the AATLAS/MAT-PULSE framework.

The candidate will model, simulate and optimize complex networks, explore partitioning and mapping to analog cores, and contribute to experimental validation and publications in an international setting.

Qualifications

• Strong skills in at least one relevant area: modeling and simulation, nonlinear dynamics, optimization, computing architectures, analog electronics or photonics.
• Proficiency in a scientific programming environment, such as Python, MATLAB or C/C++.
• Knowledge of FPAAs/FPGAs, hybrid architectures, graph partitioning or problem decomposition is an asset; expertise in all these areas is not required.
• Ability to analyze results, document methods and conduct independent research. Experimental experience is welcome.
• Teamwork skills and good command of scientific English.

Responsibilities

• Model and simulate physics-based computing networks, including Hopfield and Ising approaches, accounting for FPAA characteristics and device non-idealities.
• Develop optimization and control methods; investigate convergence and robustness to noise and component variations.
• Investigate the partitioning of complex problems, the mapping of subproblems to analog cores and the handling of inter-core couplings, under resource and connectivity constraints.
• Design and evaluate hybrid architectures combining multiple FPAA cores with digital control, particularly on FPGAs; investigate data exchange, synchronization and coordination strategies.
• Contribute to implementation, characterization or validation; assess trade-offs between solution quality, time to solution and energy consumption and scalability.
• Explore extensions to optical, photonic or optoelectronic systems through modeling, simulation and, where appropriate, experiments.
• Analyze results and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

Skills

Modeling and simulation

Nonlinear dynamics

Optimization

Computing architectures

Analog electronics

Photonics

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

English (scientific)

Tools

FPAA

FPGA

Graph partitioning

Problem decomposition

Job description

Organisation/Company CNRS Department GEORGIATECH-CNRS Research Field Engineering Physics Technology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 27 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 4 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

"The position is part of the ANR AATLAS project, which addresses complex optimization problems using Field-Programmable Analog Arrays (FPAAs) and hybrid analog–digital architectures, particularly FPAA–FPGA systems. A central challenge is scalability: decomposing a problem into subproblems distributed across several analog computing cores and coordinating them digitally. MAT-PULSE co-funding supports extensions of the methods and results developed within AATLAS to optics and photonics."

Depending on their expertise and the progress of the research, the successful candidate will contribute to the following activities:

• Model and simulate physics-based computing networks, including Hopfield and Ising approaches, accounting for FPAA characteristics and device non-idealities.
• Develop optimization and control methods; investigate convergence and robustness to noise and component variations.
• Investigate the partitioning of complex problems, the mapping of subproblems to analog cores and the handling of inter-core couplings, under resource and connectivity constraints.
• Design and evaluate hybrid architectures combining multiple FPAA cores with digital control, particularly on FPGAs; investigate data exchange, synchronization and coordination strategies.
• Contribute to implementation, characterization or validation; assess trade-offs between solution quality, time to solution, energy consumption and scalability.
• Explore extensions to optical, photonic or optoelectronic systems through modeling, simulation and, where appropriate, experiments.
• Analyze results and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

The research programme may evolve across theoretical, numerical and experimental work, in line with the objectives of AATLAS and MAT-PULSE."

FPAA; hybrid FPAA–FPGA architectures; multicore analog computing; problem partitioning; optimization; nonlinear dynamics; modeling and simulation; optics and photonics.

The position is based at IRL 2958 Georgia Tech–CNRS, on the Georgia Tech Europe campus in Metz, under the scientific supervision of Alexandre Locquet. The work is part of the ANR AATLAS project, conducted with CentraleSupélec and Institut Jean Lamour, with MAT-PULSE co-funding for extensions to optics. The successful candidate will work in an international, interdisciplinary environment with researchers, PhD students and project partners, and may contribute to mentoring PhD students and developing shared tools and methods.

• Strong skills in at least one relevant area: modeling and simulation, nonlinear dynamics, optimization, computing architectures, analog electronics or photonics.
• Proficiency in a scientific programming environment, such as Python, MATLAB or C/C++.
• Knowledge of FPAAs/FPGAs, hybrid architectures, graph partitioning or problem decomposition is an asset; expertise in all these areas is not required.
• Ability to analyze results, document methods and conduct independent research. Experimental experience is welcome.
• Teamwork skills and good command of scientific English.