Summary
The University of Groningen is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the international QuNeCo project, a collaborative initiative between leading universities in the Netherlands and Japan. The successful candidate will join the Innovative Computer Architecture group to develop novel, energy-efficient neuromorphic computing architectures inspired by the human brain.
PhD Position in Neuromorphic Computing, FPGA Design, and Hardware Acceleration, University of Groningen, Netherlands
Quick Overview
| Feature | Detail |
| Institution | University of Groningen (Faculty of Science and Engineering) |
| Degree Level | PhD |
| Funding/Salary | €3,204 – €4,051 gross per month (Full-time/1.0 FTE) |
| Project | QuNeCo Project |
| Deadline | 31 October 2026 (23:59 Dutch local time) |
Subject Area
Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Embedded Systems, AI Hardware, and Neuromorphic Computing.
Location
Groningen, The Netherlands.
Eligibility
To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Embedded Systems, or a closely related field.
- Possess a strong background in computer architecture and digital hardware design.
- Have experience with hardware description languages (Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL) and familiarity with FPGA development or RTL design methodologies.
- Demonstrate programming experience in Python and/or C/C++.
- Have excellent English communication skills (written and spoken).
- Advantageous: Experience with EDA tools (Cadence, Synopsys, Vivado) and an interest in emerging memory technologies and computing-in-memory architectures.
Scholarship Description
As a PhD candidate, you will work on the complete hardware design flow—from architectural exploration to hardware prototyping. Your core responsibilities will include:
- Designing novel neuromorphic computing architectures and investigating emerging memory technologies (SRAM, RRAM, MRAM, FeRAM).
- Developing RTL implementations of neuromorphic architectures and validating them via simulation.
- Prototyping hardware accelerators on FPGA platforms.
- Collaborating with international project partners in the Netherlands and Japan.
- Dedicating 10% of working hours to teaching or supervising Bachelor’s and Master’s students.
Benefits:
This is a fully funded employment position offering a gross monthly salary of €3,204 to €4,051. The contract includes 232 vacation hours per year, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and an 8% holiday allowance. You will initially receive a one-year temporary contract, renewable for another three years contingent on sufficient progress.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply online via the University of Groningen’s application portal and submit the following required documents:
- Motivation Letter (maximum 2 pages).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Academic Transcripts (BSc and MSc).
- References: Contact details of two academic references.
- Writing Sample: A copy of your MSc thesis (or a representative publication, if available).
Last Date
Submit your application no later than 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Dutch local time.
