Phd Position in Performance and Energy Modeling for Spiking Network Simulations on Conventional and Accelerator Architectures

Forschungszentrum Jülich

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Phd Position – Performance and Energy Modeling for Spiking Network Simulations on Conventional and Accelerator Architectures

The exponential growth in global ICT energy consumption is making a significant contribution to global climate change. Data centers, mobile devices, the AI boom and autonomous driving are all playing their part and require a reduction in the power consumption of computers on a global scale. The aim of the newly formed research unit Mod4Comp is to provide models for predicting the required computing time and energy demand in computing systems with the aim of supporting the energy-aware design of algorithms and new computer architectures. Our focus within the research unit will be on performance and energy modeling for large-scale simulations of spiking neural networks on conventional and accelerator architectures as the basis for more energy efficient future AI. Our established simulation code NEST will serve as an application ensuring the real-world effectiveness of the models.

Institute issuing the offer: PGI-15

Your Job:

As a doctoral researcher in the group of Dr. Susanne Kunkel at the institute Neuromorphic Software Ecosystems (PGI-15), you will contribute to the advancement of simulation technology for large-scale spiking neural networks. In close collaboration with our Mod4Comp partners (DFG Forschergruppe FOR 5880), you will develop models of performance and energy to guide the co-design of software and hardware for future neuromorphic systems. You will also gain profound experience in research-software engineering by actively participating in the developer community of the leading simulation code NEST: https://nest-simulator.readthedocs.io

Your tasks in detail:

• Work with the NEST main code base and experimental branches
• Dissect the spiking network simulation cycle into phases and capture the flow of spikes by a model
• Develop proxy apps representing the different processing stages of spiking network simulation code (targeting CPU and accelerators such as GPU or IPU)
• Systematic benchmarking of proxy apps and simulations of established real-world spiking network models on different computing systems and analysis of results
• Collaborate closely with local (IAS-6) and national (TU Dresden, FAU Erlangen) Mod4Comp partners as well as the NEST developer community
• Actively participate in everyday life at PGI-15 and its partner institute PGI-14
• Publish research articles, regular participation in top international conferences to present your work, regular participation in project meetings
• Enhance your skills through specialized training, e.g. advanced courses in C++
• Support the dissemination of software tools and concepts
• Supervise student projects and BSc/MSc theses

Further information on the project is available at: https://karten-t.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/545776403

Your Profile:

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or a related field
• Knowledge in Neuromorphic Computing or Computational Neuroscience is a plus
• Experience in mathematical modelling
• Excellent programming skills and experience with C++, MPI, and OpenMP
• Experience with CUDA is a plus
• Ability for analytical and creative thinking across discipline boundaries
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a team
• Very good command of written and spoken English (at least B2 level according to the CEFR: https://go.fzj.de/languagerequirements), German is a plus

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 support you in your work with:

• RESEARCH & INFRASTRUCTURE: A world-leading, interdisciplinary and international research environment with state-of-the-art equipment and versatile opportunities to grow as a curious researcher
• INNOVATIVE RESEARCH FIELD: Opportunity to work in the highly interdisciplinary and exciting field of neuromorphic and brain-inspired computing
• NETWORKING & EXCHANGE: Collaboration in a national research unit funded by the German Research Council (DFG) and participation in (international) conferences and project meetings enable you to actively build your scientific network
• WORK-LIFE BALANCE: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• KNOWLEDGE & DEVELOPMENT: Your professional development is important to us – we support you specifically and individually e.g., through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS): https://go.fzj.de/JuDocs
• VACATION: You will receive 30 days of vacation
• FAIR REMUNERATION: Depending on your qualifications and assigned responsibilities, you will be classified according to pay group 13 (75%) of the TVöD-Bund. Additionally, you will receive a special payment (“Christmas bonus”) amounting to 75% of one month’s salary. All information about the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website (pay scale table on page 69 and following of the PDF download): https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed
• FIXED-TERM: The position is initially limited to three years, with the option for a one-year extension
• SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEES: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

Place of employment: Aachen

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.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and and on the targeted promotion of women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey