PhD Position – Pre-Silicon Verification Environment for Neuromorphic Computing Hardware Demonstrators

Updated: 9 months ago
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Your Job:

Our team is working on integrated circuits (ICs) which combine analog and digital components from modern CMOS technologies. One research focus within the NEUROTEC II research project is the development of ICs for novel computing devices using memristive elements to advance into the Beyond Moore computing regime. For that, we research on the co-integration of memristors onto commercial CMOS processes, creating a memristive computing system with heterogeneous neuromorphic accelerators on a single die. The focus of this doctoral work will be to develop and establish a pre-silicon verification environment using the universal verification methodology (UVM) for the heterogeneous architecture of a neuromorphic accelerator. Specific tasks are:

  • Develop a verification environment based on UVM principles for the NEUROTEC II demonstrator chips
  • Include analog-mixed-signal (AMS) elements into the environment with the novel UVM-AMS extension
  • Integrate the novel memristor devices developed within NEUROTEC II with custom models
  • Accompany the integrated circuit development process towards the demonstrator chips and ensure the reliability of the design in a modern 28 nm CMOS technology

Your Profile:

  • Master degree or comparable in electrical engineering, physics or similar fields
  • General proficiency with the UVM concepts and implementation in SystemVerilog
  • First experience with integrated CMOS circuit design, especially digital circuits
  • Basic knowledge in digital circuit description (VHDL or Verilog) and programming (C/C++, Python)
  • Good English capabilities and preferably good knowledge of German


Please apply for the position even if you do not have all the required skills and knowledge.

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

  • Opportunity to work on highly relevant engineering challenges with state-of-the-art technologies
  • In addition, a wide range of spin-off support for the realization of own ideas
  • Continuous scientific mentoring by your scientific advisor as well as a close integration in the international research group
  • Publishing and presenting your work in (international) conferences and project meetings
  • Acquiring skills, demanded equally by academia and high-tech companies worldwide
  • Flexible working hours and the possibility to partially work from home
  • Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
  • Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service


The position is for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 70% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.



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