The imec R&D Center in Heilbronn is building a unique research program at the intersection of artificial intelligence, multivendor chiplet integration, and autonomous edge computing, sensing, and actuation. The center leverages research and development in chiplet design, advanced packaging, system integration, sensing, and Edge AI. It works closely with automotive OEMs, semiconductor suppliers, EDA vendors, universities, and the IPAI ecosystem in Heilbronn (Innovation Park for Artificial…
Intelligence), enabling chiplet acceleration, interoperability, compliance, and autonomous edge computing. This sets a unique environment to leverage innovation in AI and chip design for autonomous systems. In this context, we are looking for an applied AI researcher to join us at imec Germany in Heilbronn.
What you will do
As an AI hire in Germany, you contribute to the growth of local AI capabilities while delivering immediate impact on chiplet, ASIC, packaging, and EDA workflows. The role involves hands-on AI research and cross-domain and cross-organizational collaboration. You investigate how advanced AI techniques can accelerate the design, optimization, and operation of modular chiplet-based computing systems for future autonomous applications. You work in a diverse and multidisciplinary team of chip designers, compute, as well as with data scientists and physicists, researching and developing innovative solutions for environmental sensing and robotics. Your main responsibilities involve:
- Contribute to establish and grow the local AI capability within imec's R&D Center in Heilbronn.
- Research, develop, and apply AI methods to accelerate semiconductor R&D workflows across chiplet architectures, ASIC development, packaging technologies, and design automation.
- Research and implement AI-assisted workflows for architecture exploration, design space optimization, verification, validation, scheduling, simulation, and engineering productivity.
- Collaborate with chiplet, architecture, packaging, and system teams to identify high-impact opportunities for AI-enabled productivity improvements.
- Drive AI-assisted design approaches for emerging autonomous edge computing and chiplet-based systems.
- Design and implement digital twins, simulations, and surrogate-models that accelerate semiconductor and system development processes.
- Interface technically with industrial partners and technology providers in the IPAI ecosystem. These collaborations will help identify opportunities for enabling and applying AI techniques across the development lifecycle of semiconductors for autonomous systems.
- Support the development of new AI-enabled offerings and capabilities within the Advanced Chip Design Accelerator initiatives in Germany.
- Contribute to the definition of future AI hiring needs, technical roadmaps, and research priorities for the Heilbronn site.
- Regularly document and communicate your research output, contributing and authoring demonstrators, publications, conferences, and patents
What we do for you
We offer an inspiring and international research environment where scientific excellence meets real-world impact. At imec, you will work with leading experts in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, sensing, system engineering, and advanced computing, collaborating across disciplines to solve complex technological challenges and translating research into meaningful applications.
As one of the world's leading R&D organizations in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, imec combines deep scientific expertise with a strong ecosystem of industrial partners, startups, universities, and research institutes worldwide.
This unique combination gives you the opportunity to be part of world-class research, develop innovative technologies, build working systems and demonstrators, and see your work contribute to solutions that can shape the future of industry and society.
We invest strongly in personal growth, giving you access to exceptional technical expertise, industrial collaborations, and the freedom to develop your own ideas in an environment that values curiosity, initiative, and continuous learning.
Who you are
- You are an applied AI or ML researcher with the following experience, skills, and background:
- PhD or MSc with significant experience in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Semiconductor Engineering, or related disciplines.
- Strong expertise in machine learning, generative AI, foundation models, optimization, or AI-assisted engineering systems.
- Experience applying AI to engineering, semiconductor, EDA, system design, simulation, optimization, or digital twins.
- Familiarity with semiconductor development flows, chip design, chiplets, packaging, ASIC development, or design automation is highly desirable.
- Comfortable engaging with industrial partners, translating business and technology challenges into research and innovation opportunities.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build new capabilities from the ground up.
- Strong communication skills and a demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives across multidisciplinary teams.
IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.