2-year Postdoc positions on design and implementation of a low power wireless sensor network

The Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, invites applicants for 2-year Postdoc positions offering applicants an exciting opportunity to join a new research project on sensing technology using a smart wireless sensor network (WSN). The successful applicant will be part of a project called CorroSense funded by Innovationsfonden Denmark.
We are looking for enthusiast researchers (post-doctoral researchers) who wishes to investigate in design and implementation of a low power WSN. It includes the design, implementation, and test of a low power sensor and its interface, power management and energy harvesting, and data modulation suitable for low power communication.

Expected start date and duration of employment

The position is available from 1st July 2023 or as soon as possible hereafter.
Application deadline: 15 April 2023.

Research area and project description

The project aims to focus on researching and developing a smart wireless sensor network that is both low-power and reliable. This network will leverage neuromorphic computing and analog techniques to bring smartness and low-power consumption into WSNs. Additionally, the network will incorporate energy harvesting technology to eliminate the need for a battery.

As a team member, your role will involve contributing to one or two parts of the project's design and implementation. Specifically, you will work on the analog, digital, or mixed signal IC and hardware system development. Your contributions will be crucial to the success of the project, and you will work collaboratively with other team members to achieve the project's goals:

• First goal includes designing and implementing an energy harvesting system to ensure consistent and reliable power supply.
• The system will also include instrumentation, which will allow for accurate monitoring.
• The design will also include peripherals and interfaces.
• Additionally, an ultra-low-power temperature sensor will be designed and implemented.
• Integrated CMOS/digital design of neuromorphic computing.
• Low power data modulation will be designed and implemented to ensure efficient data transfer.

Qualifications

Applicants should hold a PhD in electronic engineering (the degree should have been completed within the last 5 years at most). Candidates, who will complete and defend their PhD thesis by 15 April 2023, are welcome. The candidate will work on the analog, digital, or mixed signal IC design and hardware system development. The candidate should have experience in some or all the following blocks:

• Instrumentation amplifiers, power management (LDOs, bandgaps, and current reference), DAC/ADC, sensor interface, amplifiers, and other building blocks.
• Experience in the CMOS process and design flow with an understanding of CAD/PDK, cell specification, Design, Layout and Verification as well as behavioral circuit modelling.
• Experience in hardware system development and system level design
• Prior tape-out experience, the results of which have been successfully published is a plus.
• Concrete knowledge in Cadence, MatLab, Python, VHDL, and Verilog
• Gain a thorough understanding of low-power design challenges in CMOS technology.
• Experience in artificial neural network and spiking neural network is a plus
• The candidate should have excellent verbal and writing skills in English with very good communication skills

Who we are

Electrical and computer engineering are closely related engineering disciplines that focus on the development of hardware and software for intelligent units and networks. This includes hardware at system and component levels as well as many different types of software for controlling electronic devices and networks.
The researchers within  electronics and photonics (EP) section involved actively in externally funded national and international multi-disciplinary projects at different technology readiness level (TRL) in different fields applied to different domains with a high impact on the society. EP section involves activities ranging from basic research to development which puts the EP section in a unique position to collaborate with a wide range of academic and industry partners.

What we offer

The department/centre offers:

• a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators
• a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
• a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
• a workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.
• A supportive, experienced and friendly environment, to help you get up to speed quickly

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is  Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aarhus, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. 

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Prof. Farshad Moradi, +45-41893344, moradi@ece.au.dk, Milad Zamani, +45-93522149, mzamani@ece.au.dk

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 15 April 2023.

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/herself. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.