Doctoral Researcher (Integrated Circuit Design, SoC Hub)

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The Unit of Electrical Engineering at the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication, Tampere University, opens a doctoral researcher position in integrated circuit (IC) design to conduct research on wireless transceiver technologies for 5G-Advanced/6G communication systems. The research area covers analog/digital/RF/mixed-signal integrated circuit design and signal processing. The researcher will work in collaboration with the SoC Hub, a strategic ecosystem created by Tampere University together with a consortium of local businesses to boost research and education on system-on-chip (SoC) design. The position will thus give an excellent opportunity to network and collaborate with local industry in addition to providing high-quality training and research support. Tampere is a well-recognized IC design hotspot in Europe and is geared up to grow further in the coming years.

Job description

We look for a Doctoral Researcher who will pursue a doctoral degree at Tampere University. The researcher will conduct high-quality scientific research in the field of integrated circuit design and signal processing, and disseminate the results in leading journals and scientific conferences. This involves building system models and an evaluation framework using computational software like MATLAB, development of new circuit techniques and architectures to push the performance boundary of systems, designing and prototyping of radio transceiver subsystems with a nanometer-scale CMOS technology, and post-fabrication evaluation of the ICs. 

The application context is to devise energy-efficient high-performance integrated circuits for 5G+/6G radio transceiver subsystems. The project attempts to maximally explore switch-mode signal processing, where analog information is represented with time-based parameters of pulse waveform and is processed with switch/digital components, together with DSP and machine learning assistance. The aim is improved sclaing-friendliness, area/energy efficiency, and design automation. In this position, you will develop signal processing concepts, and design/characterize proof-of-concept hardware prototypes with ASIC and/or FPGA technologies. The scope is broad, and a specific research topic of mutual interest can be arrived at, depending on your skills.

Participation in teaching courses at the department of Electrical Engineering is possible and encouraged.

We look for

A highly motivated and driven individual with a passion to pursue scientific research in IC design and communication systems, aspiring to obtain a doctoral degree. A potential candidate holds a M.Sc. (or equivalent Master's degree) in a relevant discipline (electrical engineering, computer engineering or similar). An ideal candidate is open-minded and enthusiastic to learn new skills, and is thorough in his/her work with an eye for the detail. The interest and skills of the candidate may be on any area related to IC design including digital, analog, RF or mixed-signal circuits and systems, DSP algorithm/hardware design, and/or communication signal processing. A typical candidate has academic excellence demonstrated through good overall grades in prior studies and high grades in courses of interest/relevance.  Prior industrial experience in a related field is an advantage, but not a necessity. 

Experience or knowledge in at least some of the following skills is desired.

• Knowledge on the fundamentals of analog/RF circuit design and simulation
• Knowledge on digital circuits/system design and efficient DSP hardware design
• Skills and hands-on experience with analog circuit design flow and simulation tools/methods like Cadence Virtuoso/Spectre, DRC/LVS/PEX, or similar tools.
• Hands-on design with a nanometer-scale CMOS technology is a plus, not a necessity
• Skills and hands-on with digital ASIC design flow and simulation tools/methods including programing with HDLs like VHDL/Verilog, simulation with ModelSim or similar, synthesis and place-and-route with Cadence Innovus or Synopsys tools, and RTL-to-GDSII flow.
• Knowledge in signal processing and/or design/modeling of communication transceiver or data converter circuits
• Modeling skills/insights and hands-on with modeling/scientific/general programing languages like MATLAB or Python
• Hands-on with scripting languages like TCL/bash is a plus, but not a necessity

The successful candidate needs to apply for and be granted a study right for a doctoral degree in the doctoral program of the discipline. Please visit the admissions webpage for more information on eligibility requirements and especially observe the language requirements of the doctoral program  (this applies at the time of enrolling for doctoral program after selection, not at the application stage). Good oral and written communication skills in English are required in the working environment of the position.

We offer

The position will be filled for a fixed-term period of two (2) years with a possibility of extension. The starting date is preferably as early as possible, but is negotiable. A trial period of six months applies to all our new employees. 

The salary will be based on University Salary System that applies to teaching and research staff.  According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a Doctoral Researcher is placed on level 2—4 of the job requirements scale. A typical starting salary for a doctoral student is 2500 € per month and the salary increases based on the progress of the doctoral studies.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. Please read more about working at Tampere University. 

We are inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, active, and truly international research community. We value interdisciplinarity, as it allows you to expand your research network and exposes you to new perspectives and ideas to solve complex research problems and pursue novel research findings. We are strongly committed to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education.

Finland is the happiest place to live and Finns have repeatedly rated Tampere as the most attractive city in Finland to live in. Tampere is the traditional center of the Finnish industry. Today, the city is best known for its high-tech sector, with companies such as Nokia, Intel, Huawei, and Saab having research/development facilities here. Tampere is also the most popular city in Finland for higher education. More information about living and working in Tampere.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. Apply with the following documents in English and in pdf format:

• A CV, including list of publications, if applicable
• A free-form motivation letter including names of two referees
• Transcripts and degree certificates of previous studies (B.Sc., M.Sc.)
• Reference letters, if any, may be included as additional documents (optional)

The closing date for applications has been extended until 30 June 2023 (at 23.59 EEST / UTC +3). However, we may start processing the applications as soon as they arrive; hence send them in as soon as you can, without waiting for the closing date.

More information

Please contact Assistant Professor Vishnu Unnikrishnan in case of any questions or for more information (firstname.secondname@tuni.fi).

The SoC Hub 

SoC Hub is a new strategic opening of the Unit of Computing Sciences (CS) and the Unit of Electrical Engineering (EE) at Tampere University. The ecosystem brings together academic research and business activities with an aim of enhancing the international competitiveness of companies. By joining forces, the ecosystem participants will make the first world-class co-developed Finnish System-on-Chip platform. The initiative will also boost research and education on system-on-chip design. The initiative has already taped out its first complex SoC chip and aims to produce at least one large SoC IC every year. More on SoC Hub here.

Unit of Electrical Engineering

The Unit of Electrical Engineering unit at Tampere University is an expertise hub of some 150 faculty and staff members. Our education and research activities build on a profound understanding of electrical and electromagnetic phenomena, and their modelling and applications. The unit produces around 15 Ph.D. and 100 M.Sc. graduates every year on average. More information here.

Application period starts: 2023-04-05 13:00 Application period ends: 2023-06-30 23:59