Postdoctoral Scholar in RF Neuromorphic Systems, Das Lab

Penn State; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics seeks a postdoctoral researcher to develop RF neuromorphic hardware for sensing, communication, and signal processing. The project covers design, fabrication, and experimental demonstration of neuromorphic circuits and devices handling RF and analog signals in hardware.

The successful candidate will design RF circuits (oscillators, amplifiers, mixers, filters, detectors), participate in device fabrication and testing, and

Qualifications

• PhD is required in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, applied physics, materials science, or a closely related field.
• Strong experience in RF or microwave circuit design, electromagnetic and circuit simulation, fabrication, and RF measurement techniques.
• Familiarity with Cadence, ADS, HFSS, COMSOL, or equivalent platforms, and experience with vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and probe-station measurements.

Responsibilities

• Develop RF neuromorphic hardware concepts for sensing, communication, and signal processing.
• Design, simulate, and experimentally demonstrate RF circuits (oscillators, amplifiers, mixers, filters, detectors).
• Participate in device and circuit fabrication, integration, packaging, and high-frequency characterization.
• Apply RF measurement techniques using VNA, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and probe stations.

Skills

RF/microwave circuit design

Analog and mixed-signal design

Neuromorphic hardware

Emerging electronic devices

Semiconductor microfabrication

RF measurement & testing

RF modeling & simulation

Adaptive RF systems / edge sensing

Education

PhD in electrical engineering or closely related field

Tools

Cadence

ADS

HFSS

COMSOL

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to work on the development of radio-frequency neuromorphic hardware for next-generation sensing, communication, and signal-processing applications. The project will focus on the design, fabrication, and experimental demonstration of neuromorphic circuits and devices capable of processing RF and analog signals directly in the hardware domain. The successful candidate will contribute to the design and implementation of RF circuits, including oscillators, amplifiers, mixers, filters, detectors, and nonlinear or adaptive circuit architectures. The researcher will also participate in device and circuit fabrication, integration, packaging, and high-frequency electrical characterization. Experience connecting emerging electronic devices with RF circuit concepts, analog computing, in-memory computing, or neuromorphic signal processing is particularly desirable. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, applied physics, materials science, or a closely related field. Strong experience in RF or microwave circuit design, electromagnetic and circuit simulation, device or circuit fabrication, and RF measurement techniques is required. Familiarity with tools such as Cadence, ADS, HFSS, COMSOL, or equivalent platforms, as well as experience with vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and probe-station measurements, will be advantageous.

Expertise in the following areas

• RF and microwave integrated-circuit design
• Analog and mixed-signal circuit design
• Neuromorphic or bio-inspired hardware
• Emerging electronic devices and heterogeneous integration
• Semiconductor microfabrication and cleanroom processing
• RF device modeling, packaging, and high-frequency characterization
• Adaptive RF systems, edge sensing, or signal classification

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

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