Paid Master's/PhD position on "Low-Power Neuromorphic Processor Design for Smart Lab-on-Chip Devices"

Integrated microanalytical systems are poised to enable ubiquitous (bio)chemical fluid assessment, and to have a revolutionary impact on the prevention of key health and sustainability threats of our time. In these systems, the use of electrochemical sensor arrays stands out due to their capability to generate multivariate data from liquid samples, enlarging the number of chemical properties that can be determined simultaneously. To manufacture the arrays, microsensors fabricated in semiconductor technologies offer advantages such as miniaturization, robustness, mass fabrication, and ease of integration with electronic circuits for embedded artificial intelligence, making them particularly suitable for advanced monitoring at the point of interest.

In this project, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team with expertise in neuroscience, computer science, chemistry, and microelectronics to develop cutting-edge solutions with intelligent microanalytical capability in a single miniaturized lab-on-chip. Your specific objective will be to apply the latest research advances in neuroscience and machine learning into integrating brain-inspired, digital deep neural network processors to accelerate chemical perception on chip. Your novel chips will be validated in real industrial and medical applications linked to ongoing European and National R&D projects.

Your tasks:

• Modelling of the neuromorphic neural network processor on software, including corner cases;
• Architectural design and Verilog implementation of the hardware, departing from open-source code;
• Functional and post-synthesis simulation based on a Xilinx FPGA;
• Performance characterization including accuracy, latency, and power.

Your profile:

• Finishing a Master’s degree in Electronics/IT/Computer Science Engineering (or similar) covering digital circuit design, synthesis and test; 
• Knowledge of Deep Neural Network training/inference in accelerated computing environments (TensorFlow and/or PyTorch libraries). Previous exposure to computational neuroscience is a plus;
• Experience with FPGA/embedded systems programming;
• Research-oriented attitude, capable of taking initiatives and with a solid problem-solving attitude;
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team;
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

What we offer:

• Full-time employment for 3 years (extendable), with an official go/no-go assessment within 6 months.
• An excellent technical infrastructure in a stimulating, multidisciplinary, and dynamic environment;
• Extensive benefits package for work-life balance in line with Spanish Administration’s and CSIC’s regulations;
• International collaboration network with possibility to perform research stays among partners in related European and National projects;
• Personalized hands-on training on cutting-edge technology topics with links to industry;
• Opportunity to join an ongoing startup project as entrepreneur.

Application procedure:

If you identify with this offer please contact Dr. Josep Maria Margarit-Taulé by sending the following information to josepmaria.margarit@csic.es:

• A brief description of your main motivation for joining our team;
• Your CV, highlighting relevant experience and accomplishments in related areas;
• Contact details of at least 2 references;
• A transcript of your academic records including undergraduate and master’s studies.

CSIC is committed to creating equal opportunities for people, independently of gender, culture, and race. Anyone with relevant qualifications is therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the position.