PhD "Organic neuromorphic and biohybrid spiking circuits”

Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) and Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute (EASI) have a vacancy for PhD project funded by the ERC Project NEURO-LABS to develop "Organic neuromorphic and biohybrid spiking circuits'.

Project

Neuromorphic electronics is currently experiencing a tremendous increase in research activity. Inspired by neuroscience, it aims to mimic the architecture of the human brain to enable parallel computing with high energy efficiency and local processing, which advances edge-computing, smart robotics and intelligent systems interfacing with the human body. However, establishing an active interaction with biological tissues, especially with the central nervous system, requires adaptive computing systems that are not only able to receive biologically encoded inputs but also to process these locally. Due to the intrinsic ionic-electronic coupling, organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors exhibit great potential not only in bridging electronics and biological systems, but also in operating as non-volatile memory devices in hardware neural networks due to their straightforward conductance tuning, low power operation and stability.

Employing our recently developed biohybrid synapses that can be modulated by the chemical - or physiological - environment it operates in, in this project we will develop a foundation for next-generation human-machine interfaces with adaptive organic artificial neural circuitry that can be tuned and optimised locally through electronic, ionic and chemical modulation. As a proof-of-principle demonstrator we will use this adaptive biohybrid interface to optimise the control a soft robotic actuator using neuromorphic learning control.

The overall goal of this PhD project is:

To develop and integrate adaptive spiking circuits based on organic neuromorphic and biohybrid devices.



Embedding

The PhD student will be directly supervised by prof. Yoeri van de Burgt, Associate Professor in Neuromorphic Engineering, within the Microsystems section, headed by prof. Jaap den Toonder. Microsystems is part of the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS). The Microsystems section manages the Microfab lab, a state-of-the-art micro fabrication facility that houses a range of micro-manufacturing technologies.

Requirements:

We are looking for a candidate with a background in electrical or circuit engineering, materials science, robotics, artificial intelligence, microsystems engineering, or another relevant discipline. Given the multidisciplinary character of the proposed research the ideal candidate has experience in device physics, circuits, sensors, microfabrication and materials science. Experience with biological cells is a plus. Furthermore, the candidate has a hands-on attitude, experimental experience and can work independently as well as collaborate with others. 

Salary Benefits:

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 evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• 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. €2,770 max. €3,539).
• 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.

38 hours per week

De Rondom 70