Our brains are incredibly energy efficient and can process incredible amounts of data a million times more energy efficient than the best supercomputers. Therefore, there is now a global wide effort to develop neuromorphic devices for energy efficient computing enabling new technologies and to reduce energy consumption to combat climate change. Inspired by our own molecular “supercomputer”, our brains, the aim of this project is to upscale artificial neural networks based on molecule-polymer hybrid devices. The molecular hybrid structures exploit the dynamical behavior of such systems needed to create devices tailored for spike-timing dependent computing. The challenge will be to develop fabrication methods that preserve the molecule polymer hybrid structures and their dynamical properties. The goal is fabricate large arrays of junctions and to study the energy efficiency of these artificial neural networks.

The fully financed position is available at the University of Twente (UT), The Netherlands, within the Faculty of Science and Technology in the Nijhuis group of Hybrid Materials for OptoElectronics (HMOE). At the UT you are part of the unparalleled possibilities at MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Molecules Center and BRAINS (Center for Brain-Inspired NanoSytems).

• You have a MSc degree in chemical engineering, nanotechnology, micro/nanofabrication, or physical chemistry, or similar.
• You have demonstrated experience in cleanroom-based fabrication techniques, bottom-up fabrication, electrical measurements, surface characterization (including optical microscopy).
• You have affinity with neuromorphic electronics, information processing.
• You are fluent in English and able to collaborate intensively with industrial and academic parties in regular meetings and work visits.

• A full-time position for two years.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.858,- to € 5.278,- (salary scale 10) based on education and work experience.
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme.
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Free access to sports facilities on campus.
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).

The candidate will work in Nijhuis group of Hybrid Materials for OptoElectronics (HMOE) located in the department of Molecules and Materials, Faculty of Science & Technology. Our group has a strong history in the development of molecular opto-electronic devices to unravel new mechanisms of charge transport and the interplay between nanoscale electronics and plasmonics which are important in various areas of science ranging from biology, green energy and energy storage, catalysis, to nano-electronics and modern-day data processing. Recently, we have developed multi-functional molecular switches that are highly efficient diodes and memory devices, which we are now extending to applications in neuromorphic electronics.

Please send your online application before 1st of Feb, 2025, and should include:

• A motivation letter describing why you apply for this position, with a description of your research interests, qualifications and motivations (no more than 1 page A4).
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Contact information for at least three academic references.
• Transcripts from your Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degrees.

Interviews will be held following the submission closure.

You are welcome to contact me, prof. dr. Christian A. Nijhuis on c.a.nijhuis@utwente.nl for more information about the vacancy.