General information
Reference : UMR5270-SYLGON-031
Nombre de Postes : 1
Workplace : VILLEURBANNE
Date of publication : Thursday, December 1, 2022
Type of Contract : FTC Scientist
Contract Period : 24 months
Expected date of employment : 1 March 2023
Proportion of work : Full time
Remuneration : Between 2833 Euros and 4003 Euros gross per month
Desired level of education : PhD
Experience required : Indifferent
Missions
The rising needs of processing information at the edge for low latency, high speeds, and energy efficiency purposes leveraging edge-computing as well as IoT devices (75 billion expected by 2025) demand for novel computing paradigms and lightweight associated hardware. In particular, neuromorphic approaches are emerging as one of the best candidates to address these needs thanks to their unconventional brain-inspired inner operation with respect to more standard Von Neumann approaches based on continuous data transfer between memory and processor with consequent I/O limitations.
In the framework of the Horizon Europe research project NEUROPULS (NEUROmorphic energy-efficient secure accelerators based on Phase change materials aUgmented siLicon photonicS), the Engineering and Conversion of Light (i-LUM) group at INL aims to develop novel devices leveraging non-volatile phase change materials (PCMs) integrated above Si waveguides. Compact and fast device models will be built with different degrees of accuracy and complexity according to their use at a system level. The devices will be validated jointly with the ICB-CNRS laboratory. Complementary activities will also involve the investigation of the optical properties of various PCMs to build more accurate models.
This work will allow INL and the other consortium partners to explore various devices/architectures at a prototype level (photonic chips will be fabricated by CEA-LETI in a worldwide unique silicon photonics platform with III-V and phase-change materials monolithically integrated) for the next-generation of hardware accelerators based on photonic neuromorphic architectures interfaced with RISC-V core processors to target edge-computing applications.
Activities
This position aims to explore novel PCM-based devices built in a CMOS-compatible platform as well as related compact and fast models for different uses at a system level. The work will involve (i) experimental characterization of various PCMs deposited as thin films, (ii) development of compact multi-physics models, (iii) photonic design of PCM-based devices, and (iv) experimental characterization of their performance jointly with ICB-CNRS laboratory.
Skills
You have or are about to obtain a PhD in at least one of the following areas: photonic device design, multi-physics modelling or system-level modelling. Experience with various techniques for optical characterization e.g., ellipsometry is a plus. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Fluency in French is also a plus, but not mandatory.
Work Context
The candidate is expected to work autonomously as well as in collaboration with a research team.
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