PhD Position Reliable AI Accelerator Design in MSCA Doctoral Network TIRAMISU

Are you curious about the future of reliable AI hardware? Then Join the CE group of TU Delft for a PhD.

Shaping the Future of Reliable Edge AI
Various emerging device technologies and computing paradigms are being investigated for energy-efficient artificial intelligence (AI) applications at the edge. Some examples are RRAM, FeFET and STT-MRAM-based Computation-in-Memory (CIM) accelerators. However, these new technologies and computing paradigms introduce new challenges in terms of reliability. For instance, non-idealities such as variability, drift, read/write disturb may cause computational inaccuracy. Ensuring reliable computation in memory using emerging devices for edge AI is of great importance.

The Computer Engineering (CE) section of the Quantum & Computer Engineering (QCE) department is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate who wants to work on reliable and fault tolerant architectures for future AI accelerators. The candidate will be part of a research team working on design, manufacturing and testing of AI accelerators using emerging devices.

You’ll be part of a diverse and passionate team of academic staff, PhD candidates, and postdocs in the Computer Engineering Section. We value open discussions, sharing ideas, and collaborating regularly to advance our understanding of computer engineering. You’ll also receive comprehensive training to support your growth as a scientist.

Your role as a PhD candidate
While being an integral part of the team, you will work on the following:

• Identify the reliability failure mechanisms and non-ideality issues in various of AI accelerators, such as emerging memory-based CIM, or spiking NNs;
• Develop reliability solutions to address the impact of non-ideality issues.
• Develop fault-tolerance and self-healing mechanisms to guarantee reliable system operation in the presence of faults and defects.
• Develop design time and runtime configurable solutions for graceful degradation.
• Integrate and validate the developed solutions in edge AI chip prototypes.

This position is a part of a new European MSCA Doctoral Network TIRAMISU “Training and Innovation in Reliable and Efficient Chip Design for Edge AI” (2024-2028) – an EU-funded program designed to train future European engineers and researchers driving innovation in reliable and energy-efficient Edge AI chips. The program provides strong interdisciplinary training, international collaboration, and mobility opportunities. Learn more at https://tiramisu-project.eu/.

What We Offer
You will be part of an inspiring, international research environment at TU Delft, where collaboration, diversity, and personal development are highly valued. Specifically, this position offers you:

• A dynamic and inclusive team of academic staff, PhD candidates, and postdocs, working together on the future of reliable AI hardware;
• Close supervision and mentorship to support your growth as a researcher and future leader in the field;
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities for design, fabrication, and testing of AI accelerators;
• Strong collaboration with industrial partners and European academic leaders as part of the MSCA Doctoral Network TIRAMISU;
• A unique chance to develop deep expertise in reliability, fault tolerance, and self-healing architectures — preparing you for impactful roles in both academia and industry.

Throughout your PhD, you will gain valuable experience in interdisciplinary research and international collaboration, equipping you for a successful career in the growing field of reliable edge AI systems.

Curious to learn more about the project, and perhaps our group? Feel free to browse our webpages:

• About the TIRAMISU project: TIRAMISU, European HORIZON MSCA Doctoral Network project
• About our department: QCE department.
• About our group: Computer Engineering Labs.

Your profile
In order to be successful, you will have:

• Completed a relevant MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or any other related field relevant to the PhD research;
• Good understanding of analog or digital circuit design;B
• Basic understanding of defects, faults, and test solutions for electronic systems is a plus;
• Basic understanding of AI and its hardware implementations is a plus;
• An affinity for teaching and guiding students;
• The ability to work in a team and take initiative;
• You meet the eligibility criteria of the MSCA programme.

Are you ready to shape the future of reliable AI hardware and make real-world impact?

Apply now and join our international team driving innovation in fault-tolerant and energy-efficient AI systems. We look forward to receiving your application!

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Prof.dr. Said Hamdioui, s.hamdioui@tudelft.nl or Dr. Anteneh Gebregiorgis, a.b.gebregiorgis@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than December 15, 2024.

Apply via the application button and upload your CV and cover letter and other documents.

Please submit your application through both TUD portal and TIRAMISU (https://tiramisu-project.eu/vacancies)

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure.
  (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines).
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

36 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 5