Research Associate / Research Fellow in FPGA Systems Design (SPEAR Centre)

Job Title: Research Associate / Research Fellow in FPGA Systems Design (SPEAR Centre)
Department/School: School of Computing, Engineering & Intelligent Systems
Campus: Derry~Londonderry campus
Salary: Grade 6/7 (£33,020 - £38,805 per annum) or Grade 8 (£48,822 - £58,260 per annum)
Duration: Fixed-term until 30th September 2029 / Full-time
Closing Date: 6th January 2026
Reference Number: 039886

- ABOUT US -

We are a university with a national and international reputation for excellence, innovation, and regional engagement, making a major contribution to the economic, social, and cultural development of Northern Ireland.

Our core business activities are teaching and learning, widening access to education, research and innovation, and technology and knowledge transfer.

- THE ROLE -

The role of the Research Associate / Research Fellow in FPGA Systems Design forms part of the SPEAR engineering team with the purpose of supporting the prototyping, testing and evaluation of FPGA-based designs for both SMEs (via the Industrial Innovation Fund workstream) and Doctoral College researchers. In addition, the role will support SMEs via training in this subject domain. Appointment will be made at either Research Associate or Research Fellow level.

The Semiconductor and Photonics Education and Research (SPEAR) Centre is an €8.5 million cross-border project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). SPEAR will provide Atlantic Technological University (ATU - Letterkenny) and Ulster University (Derry~Londonderry) with access to an all-island network of research groups and industry partners. The Centre aims to build research capacity in integrated photonics and semiconductor technologies in the Northwest and border regions, contributing to the development of Ireland’s and Northern Ireland’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem. It seeks to train the next generation of engineers to support growth in sectors such as healthcare, telecommunications, advanced manufacturing, and edge sensor networks.

We may create a 12-month waiting list for the same or similar roles within the Department/Faculty. The University reserves the right to extend the waiting list across the University if required for certain posts.

- ABOUT YOU –

The postholder will be required to have:

- An Honours Degree or MSc (or equivalent qualification) in Electronics, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or a closely related science-based subject area.
- A PhD (or near completion with thesis submitted) in a subject area that has the application of FPGAs or contributes to digital design.
- Evidence of research OR industrial experience in FPGA application design, including testing and debugging of FPGA-based systems.

Please find our employee benefits here: Employee Services & Benefits (ulster.ac.uk)

Athena SWAN Statement

The School of Computing, Engineering & Intelligent Systems holds a Bronze Athena SWAN Award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality in higher education. You can read more about what this means at https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/equality-charters/transformed-uk-athena-swan-charter and on our University website https://www.ulster.ac.uk/peopleandculture/employee-benefits/equality-diversity/athena-swan. The University has a range of initiatives to support a family-friendly working environment, including flexible working.

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities. Appointment will be made on merit.

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