PhD Position Full-Custom Digital ASIC Design for Edge AI Computing

Join us to design full-custom digital ASICs for energy-efficient Edge AI. We're hiring a PhD researcher to develop innovative circuits for real-time AI at the edge.

Job desription
Edge AI computing is set to transform technology’s role in humanity through real-time AI in resource-constrained settings. As a PhD researcher, you’ll pioneer full-custom digital ASIC designs for real-time inference of advanced neural networks, enabling speech enhancement, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and large language models (LLMs). These will revolutionize healthcare, like next-gen hearing aids and wearable diagnostics, and extend to IoT, enhancing quality of life. Traditional von Neumann architecture-based computing struggles to meet the stringent energy efficiency requirement. Your work will bridge this gap, delivering sustainable solutions with deep societal impact, from aiding the hearing-impaired to smarter IoT systems.

As a PhD researcher, you will develop advanced methodologies for full-custom digital ASIC design targeting edge AI computing applications. Your research will focus on novel digital circuit architectures optimized for digital in-memory computing, with applications spanning healthcare technologies, large language models, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other resource-constrained edge scenarios. You will explore design strategies, implement innovative architectures, and validate these ASIC designs through targeted application-driven case studies. Collaboration with academic and industry partners will provide opportunities to present your research at leading conferences and publish findings in top-tier journals.

Electronic Circuits and Architectures (ELCA)
You will be part of the Electronic Circuits and Architectures (ELCA) section within the Department of Microelectronics at TU Delft. This position is not only about advancing digital VLSI design and AI hardware but also about working in a vibrant research environment where collaboration, innovation, and cross-disciplinary expertise are paramount. You will collaborate closely with PhD students and fellow researchers, benefiting from state-of-the-art design and testing facilities and a supportive, minimally hierarchical team that encourages open dialogue and creative problem solving. With strong mentorship, tailored training, and minimal hierarchical barriers, ELCA provides an ideal setting for academic and professional growth in the rapidly evolving field of electronic circuits and systems.

By joining us, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a project with significant social impact—pioneering technology that will shape the future of wireless communication, enhance connectivity, and drive energy-efficient solutions for tomorrow’s networks.

If you are driven by innovation and ready to take on challenges that merge cutting-edge digital design with impactful real-world applications, we look forward to receiving your application.

Job requirements
You need to have:

• MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Microelectronics, Computer Science, or related field.
• Strong background in full-custom ASIC design (analog/digital).
• Experience with industry-standard EDA tools (Cadence, Synopsys).
• Experience with hardware description languages (HDLs), such as SystemVerilog or Verilog.
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken).

Nice to have:

• Proficiency in programming languages like (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C/C++).
• Understand the fundamentals of neural networks and knows PyTorch.
• Experience with digital in-memory computing architectures or other non-von Neumann computing paradigms.
• Publications in relevant conferences or journals.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Creative problem-solving abilities and strong teamwork skills.

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 € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 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.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Chang Gao, via chang.gao@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 25 Apr 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a publication list or Google Scholar link.
• Motivational Letter (maximum 1 page) describing your interest and experience relevant to digital ASIC design.
• Transcripts of BSc and MSc studies (course lists and grades in English).
• A copy or link to your MSc thesis.
• At least two reference letters.

You can address your application to Dr. Chang Gao.

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.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.