Student Assistant – Machine Learning for ASIC Design

Brookhaven National Laboratory; Ridge (NY); On-site; USD 26,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY, is seeking an undergraduate or graduate student in Electrical Engineering to conduct research on AI/ML methods for accelerating IC design and to deploy these algorithms within CAD tools.

The role targets candidates with strong programming skills, ML knowledge, and the ability to work in multidisciplinary collaborations, on-site at Brookhaven Lab.

Qualifications

• Must be an upper-level undergraduate or graduate student in Electrical Engineering or closely related field focusing on IC design.
• Experience deploying AI/ML models on common software toolchains.
• Basic knowledge of digital IC design flows, including digital simulation and logic synthesis.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on AI/ML methods for accelerating IC design.
• Deploy and test AI/ML-driven IC design algorithms in open-source and industry CAD tools.
• Develop AI/ML-driven IC design algorithms robust to noise, hardware failures, and non-ideal effects.

Skills

AI/ML deployment

Digital IC design flows

Processor architectures

Compilers

Neural networks

Optimization

Oral and written communication

Education

Electrical Engineering (undergrad/grad)

Tools

CAD tools

Job description

The mission of the Instrumentation Department is to develop state-of-the-art instrumentation required for experimental research programs at Brookhaven Lab and to maintain the expertise and facilities in specialized high technology areas essential for this work. Development of facilities is motivated by present Brookhaven research programs and anticipated future directions of research. Our work has a significant impact on programs throughout the world that rely on state-of-the-art radiation detectors and readout electronics.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on AI/ML methods for accelerating integrated circuit (IC) design.
• Participate in the deployment and testing of AI/ML-driven IC design algorithms to both open-source and industry-standard CAD tools.
• Participate in the development of AI/ML-driven IC design algorithms that are robust to circuit noise and mismatch, hardware failures, temperature changes, and other non-ideal effects.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be an upper-level undergraduate student (rising junior or senior) or a graduate student currently enrolled in an accredited college or university for a degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field of study with a focus on IC design.
• Experience of deploying AI/ML models on common software toolchains.
• Basic knowledge of digital IC design flows, including digital simulation and logic synthesis.
• Knowledge of processor architectures, compilers, neural networks, and optimization.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field of study.
• Knowledge of both the theoretical fundamentals and applications of machine learning.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary collaborations.
• Strong research experience (e.g. as evidenced by publication record).
• Excellent programming skills.
• Ability to perform experiments using low voltage (<50 V) electrical equipment.

OTHER INFORMATION:

• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
• This part-time temporary position is anticipated to begin September 1, 2026, and end December 18, 2026.
• Work schedule: Up to 19 hours per week (Monday–Friday).
• This position is eligible for P/T extension during the academic year pending business need, job performance and funding.
• This position is on-site in Upton, NY.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $19.25 - $30.25 / hour. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualifications, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program

Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non‑badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews

As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program- Physical Protection Program.

About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor

BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file