Post-doc in Neuromorphic Edge AI

Are you thrilled by the possibility of applying brain-inspired computing paradigms to drastically reduce the computational cost of deep neural network inference and learning on resource-constrained edge computing systems? Then apply for this position as a post-doc researcher in Neuromorphic Edge AI at the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences (DACS), part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Maastricht University. 

The successful candidate will design new hardware-aware neuromorphic algorithms to optimize deep neural network inference and online adaptation on neuromorphic hardware. The candidate will co-design and demonstrate the algorithms on edge AI applications with different modalities, including but not limited to event-based vision, biomedical signals, and language processing.

Job Description
You will conduct research on neuromorphic computing for energy-efficient edge AI. More specifically, you will work on advancing the efficiency of neuromorphic networks by applying brain-inspired computing paradigms including dynamic activation sparsity, low-precision arithmetic, and asynchronous processing. You will start by working on developing sparse neuromorphic neural network algorithms for efficient inference of vision and language models, followed by extending your findings to new on-device learning methods for efficient continual learning on the edge. You will work closely with neuromorphic hardware, including Intel Loihi2, SpiNNaker2, Innatera T1, imec SENECA, and event-based cameras.

Your tasks will include:

1. Perform scientific research in neuromorphic computing for edge AI.
2. Participate in joint collaborative projects with universities and companies.
3. Participate in grant acquisition for European and Dutch research fundings.
4. Publish results at top-tier (international) conferences and in international journals.
5. Present the results in internal research group meetings as well as national and international scientific conferences.
6. Assist with educational tasks (e.g., supervise bachelor and master students, and research assistants).

We encourage collaboration and you will also benefit from a supportive local research community as well as a strong industry and research network.

Requirements

• PhD (completed, or to be completed shortly) in Neuromorphic Computing, Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Embedded Systems, or a related field.
• Demonstrated (e.g., through publications, code, projects, etc.) interest and experience with the field of neuromorphic computing, and at least one of the following fields: efficient deep learning, computer vision, LLM, edge computing.
• Knowledge of at least one of the following techniques and interest in developing skills in the other two:
  1. Neuromorphic spiking or event-based neural network algorithm design for computer vision, signal processing, and language processing.
  2. Efficient deep learning algorithm design for edge or embedded computing devices (e.g., quantization, pruning, knowledge distillation, network architecture search, etc.).
  3. On-device learning of neural networks on resource-constrained edge devices (e.g., gradient-free learning, real-time recurrent learning, local learning, etc.).
• Experience in programming (preferably in Python and C).
• Experience in using neuromorphic hardware and edge devices.
• Proficiency in English (oral and written).
• Excellent communication skills, and ability to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary and team-oriented research environment. 

What we offer
As Post-doc in Neuromorphic Edge AI at Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 11 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4537,00 and €6209,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 24 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Science and Engineering  
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.  FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention.  The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).  At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!  
 

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses  
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.  
 

Department of Advanced Computing Sciences
The Department of Advanced Computing Sciences is Maastricht University’s largest and oldest department broadly covering the fields of artificial intelligence, data science, computer science, mathematics and robotics.  
Over 100 researchers work and study in the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences, whose roots trace back to 1987. The department’s staff teaches approximately 1250 bachelor’s and master’s students in 4 specialized study programmes in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Click here for more information.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. G. Tang (guangzhi.tang@maastrichtuniversity.nl) for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Post-doc in Neuromorphic Edge AI? Apply now, no later than June 15, 2025 , for this position.
 

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.