PhD on Neuromorphic-photonics-assisted front-end for edge computing – SpikeHERO project

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to acquire, share and transfer knowledge and understanding in the whole field of Electrical Engineering through education, research and valorization. We work towards a ‘Smart Sustainable Society’, a ‘Connected World’, and a healthy humanity (‘Care & Cure’). Activities share an application-oriented character, a high degree of complexity and a large synergy between multiple facets of the field.

Research is carried out into the applications of electromagnetic phenomena in all forms of energy conversion, telecommunication and electrical signal processing. Existing and new electrical components and systems are analyzed, designed and built. The Electrical Engineering department takes its inspiration from contacts with high-tech industry in the direct surrounding region and beyond.

The department is innovative and has international ambitions and partnerships. The result is a challenging and inspiring setting in which socially relevant issues are addressed.

Introduction

The Photonic Neural Network Lab, together with the High Capacity Optical Transmission Lab’s in the Electro-Optics Communication (ECO) group at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) are recruiting a PhD candidate to research novel neuromorphic-photonics-assisted front-ends for edge computing.

The electro-optical communications (ECO) group in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at TU/e is a globally recognised, leading scientific and applied research group focused on exploiting light for communication and quantum systems. We apply our knowledge in collaboration with other scientists at TU/e and more recently within the newly formed Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute (EHCI) to develop the required solution for many of the relevant challenges in communication and sensing systems. The group expertise spans from the fundamentals and physics of photonics, optics, the design and fabrication of photonic integrated circuits (PICs), systems engineering to exploiting optical linear/non-linear signal processing to unlock fiber capacity and relevant higher layer protocols required to operate modern optical communication and quantum networks.

Based in the purposely built FLUX building at the TU/e Campus, the ECO group has access to 300m2 of labs for conducting experimental research and is supported by a state-of-the-art 800m2 cleanroom. With greater than 100 group members including 13 tenured scientists, 79 PhD candidates, 16 postdocs and senior researchers, the ECO group is a vibrant and exciting research group perfectly suited for talented and ambitious scientists. The group is active in spin outs and starts-ups (e.g. CubiQ, Micro-align, PhotonX Networks and LuXisens Technology) and carries out bilateral industrial research with major stakeholders in the communications industry.

Job Description

As the demand for edge computing continues to rise, there is a growing need for systems that can process data locally with minimal delay and reduced energy consumption. Traditional computing architectures—rooted in CMOS technology and the von Neumann model—are increasingly unable to meet these emerging requirements. Their fundamental design, which separates memory and processing units, creates inefficiencies such as data transfer bottlenecks and higher power usage.

SpikeHERO is a European research initiative funded under the 2024 EIC Pathfinder Challenges, within the programme focused on nanoelectronics for energy-efficient smart edge devices. This project brings together leading academic institutions and innovative companies from across Europe in a collaborative effort to address the pressing challenges of energy consumption and performance limitations in today’s edge devices.

The project—Spiking Hybrid Edge computing for Robust Optoelectronical signal processing—introduces a novel approach that combines three key technologies: event-driven Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) designed for ultra-low-power operation; optoelectronic signal processing, which integrates optical and electrical components for faster and more efficient data handling; and advanced hardware integration techniques, including 3D heterogeneous integration and beyond-CMOS materials. At its core, SpikeHERO proposes a new class of hybrid neural systems that combine optical and electrical SNNs to significantly enhance processing speed and energy efficiency, setting a new standard for edge computing performance.

In this context, the candidate will join the ECO group and work also closely with the Photonic Integration (PhI) group, responsible of the development of a semiconductor technology platform using mature indium phosphide (InP) photonic circuits. The PhD student will aim to implement optical neural networks (ONNs), with a clear pathway to interface them with electronic and photonic spiking neural networks (SNN), for reconfigurable hybrid ONN/SNN architectures. This platform will also integrate high-speed optical transceivers, including tunable lasers, modulators, and detector arrays. The result is a pioneering optical front-end capable of both ultra-fast communication and advanced signal processing.

The candidate will design and simulate ONNs to perform filtering, chromatic dispersion compensation and multi-tap equalization, supporting data integrity at the edge. The candidate’s responsibilities will include modelling, designing, and taping out of neural network topologies for specific tasks like signal denoising and impairment mitigation. This includes exploring ONN-based digital filtering for high-speed data, developing techniques to reduce post-processing workload, and applying shallow neural architectures to lower signal dimensionality. Additionally, the work will support the development of ONN-base interfaces to Spiking Communication Protocol. Ultimately, he will validate the hybrid neural system developed within SpikeHERO will be validated through a key use case focused on Fiber-To-The-Edge (FTTE) applications, addressing the low-latency and high-speed processing demands of future 6G networks. This demonstration will highlight the system's potential not only for next-generation wireless networks but also for broader applications such as autonomous vehicles and smart infrastructure, offering a roadmap for scalable, energy-efficient edge intelligence.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in photonics, electro, applied physics or similar.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Desirable Applicant Competencies

The candidate would ideally have a theoretical understanding and/or experimental experience in one or more of the following areas:

1. Photonic integration, computing and AI background.
2. Experimental and practical skills.
3. Python coding and simulation and design skills.
4. Curiosity, proactiveness, originality, commitment.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager R. Stabile, Associate Professor ([email protected]) and prof. Chigo Okonkwo ([email protected]).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services ([email protected]).

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• A written scientific report in English (MSc thesis, traineeship report or scientific paper).

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.