Design and Simulation of Reversible Neuromorphic Architectures

About the Project

E-CoRe (Energy-efficient Computing via Reversibility) is a Horizon Europe project funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks. The project advances the science and practice of Reversible Computing (RC) for a sustainable digital future, training the next generation of experts to make computing sustainable. Energy is a main concern in society: IT accounts for an estimated 10% of global energy consumption. Reversible computing avoids the fundamental energy lower bound imposed by Landauer's principle by discarding no information. E-CoRe aims to set the stage for the Reversible Computing revolution by forming a community of experts who will improve and popularize reversible languages, algorithms and architectures — in energy-intensive applications such as machine learning, blockchains and drones.

This project will study the applicability of Reversible Computing to non-von Neumann architectures, namely neuromorphic systems. Neuromorphic computing aims to develop unconventional low energy architectures inspired by biological neural networks with emphasis on connectivity, recurrence and higher time resolutions, targeting low-power biologically-inspired AI. The successful candidate will survey state-of-the-art reversible architectures, focusing on neural simulations and neuromorphic computing. The project will involve collaboration on developing the fundamentals of a simulation platform for Reversible Computing architectures accelerating neural networks simulations, together with the exploration of reversible paradigms for neuromorphic systems.

Further information is available here: https://e-core.nws.cs.unibo.it/topic/reversible-neuromorphic-architectures

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Applicants must not hold a doctoral degree.

Funding

This 3.5 year project is funded under the E-CoRe EU MSCA Doctoral Network. Applicants must not have resided in the United Kingdom from more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://e-core.nws.cs.unibo.it/offers/71

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.