Research Associate in FPGA Neuromorphic Computing (NERVOUS Project)

Job Title: Research Associate in FPGA Neuromorphic Computing (NERVOUS Project)�
Department/School: School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems
Campus: Derry~Londonderry
Salary: �33,020 - �36,654 per annum
Duration: Fixed-Term until 7th February 2027 / Full-time
Closing Date: 16th April 2026 at 23:30
Reference Number: 041766

- 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 School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems at Ulster University hosts the Intelligent Systems Research Centre (ISRC). Its mission is to understand how the brain works at multiple levels, from cells to cognition and apply that understanding to create realistic models and construct technologies that solve the complex issues that face people and society.

A cross-disciplinary team of researchers from the Universities of Ulster and York are working together on the EPSRC-funded project, �Nervous Systems�, to design and use artificial spiking neural networks (SNNs) as an embodied electronic nervous system, developing a novel nervous system-inspired hardware architecture and design methodology, and applying them to real world tasks, including autonomous fault detection and prediction. Our aim is to develop this scalable embodied Nervous System, including a new hardware architecture and design methodology.

The postholder will work with us on the leading-edge research required to achieve the ambitious objectives of the �Nervous Systems� project and will be responsible for performing excellent research in exploring SNN solutions to detect and classify anomalies (errors) in electronic systems and contributing to their hardware translation and validation in creating the novel Nervous FPGA-based hardware system.

We may create a 12-month waiting list for 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
- Hold 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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