"PhD position on Memristive Smart Materials for Information Processing"

Job Description

This position is part of the NWO KIC Smart Materials project, Smart Materials for Information Processing, in collaboration with the NanoElectronics (NE) group at the University of Twente and the Infomatter group at AMOLF. The SMIP project aims at revolutionising computing by developing adaptive, smart materials that combine memory and learning directly within their structure, uniting theory and experiment. These materials adapt their computations over time, reducing energy use and improving efficiency. Partnering with Toyota and Demcon TSST, SMIP will showcase this innovation through a self-learning chip prototype, improving performance and durability in automotive applications.

Specifically, this PhD project focuses on memristive materials as electronic realizations of the hysteron concept at the heart of the SMIP project. A hysteron is characterized by a hysteretic current-voltage characteristic; thereby, its response depends critically on its history. You will work on conceptualizing, fabricating, and characterizing effective memristive devices, with the goal of forming device networks for realizing the physical learning paradigm developed at AMOLF. You will integrate these memristive devices with the reconfigurable nonlinear processing units (RNPUs) developed in the NE partner group to harness the full richness of both material platforms.

Requirements

• You are a highly motivated and enthusiastic student;
• You have a MSc degree in the field of (semiconductor) physics, materials science, electrical engineering or similar;
• You have a fascination for unconventional device concepts and a strong affinity for materials physics and machine/physical learning;
• You are an independent and original thinker with a creative mindset;
• You are a fast thinker with excellent analytical and communication skills;
• You have good team spirit and like to work in an internationally oriented environment;
• You are experienced with Python and/or similar programming languages;
• You are fluent in English.

Conditions of Employment

A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year; Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU); You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.059 (first year) to € 3.881 (fourth year); There are excellent benefits, including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme; A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis; Free access to sports facilities on campus; A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid); You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School, where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision.

Department

You will be working in the Interfaces and Correlated Electron Systems (ICE) group of prof. Hans Hilgenkamp. Our research focuses on device concepts based on materials and interfaces with unconventional electronic properties, especially related to interactions between the mobile charge carriers. We aim to bridge fundamental studies with application-oriented ‘proof-of-principle’ device developments. Most of the experimental research concentrates around thin film samples, which are fabricated in house with advanced thin film deposition and structuring techniques. The ICE group is part of the MESA+ institute and a founding member of BRAINS, the Centre for Brain-Inspired Computing at the University of Twente.

Additional Information

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before September 30. High Tech and Human Touch Join the university of technology that puts people first. Create new possibilities for yourself, your colleagues and society as a whole. Using modern technology and science to drive innovation, change and progress. That’s what it means to work at the University of Twente. Looking for a job that matters?