PhD Candidate in Edge AI Accelerator Design

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) invites applications for a PhD position in Edge AI Accelerator Design within the Department of Computer Science. This opportunity is part of the Norwegian Center for Intelligent Computers and Electronics (NICE), a research-driven innovation center focused on advancing AI applications from cloud datacenters to edge devices. The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway with additional support from industry and academic partners. The research will center on the design of high-performance, energy-efficient Edge AI accelerators. These accelerators may be integrated with processor cores or function as stand-alone units, depending on the computational requirements of the target edge system. A key research challenge is supporting low bit-width operations (quantization below eight bits) to optimize compute, memory, power, and accuracy. The project aims to address open questions in balancing these factors for next-generation edge AI hardware. As a PhD candidate, you will join a vibrant research environment, collaborating with leading academic and industry experts. Your responsibilities include completing doctoral education, conducting high-quality research, publishing academic work, participating in the SFI NICE research center, and engaging in international activities such as conferences or research stays abroad. The position offers career guidance, access to employee benefits, and the possibility of Norwegian language training. Applicants must hold a relevant Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent, with a strong academic record (Master's grade B or better, Bachelor's grade C or better on NTNU's scale). Candidates must demonstrate good oral and written English skills (minimum B2 level). Preferred qualifications include experience in hardware design (FPGA/ASIC), hardware description languages (Chisel, VHDL, Verilog), AI frameworks (PyTorch, ONNX), computer architecture, and strong programming abilities. Admission to NTNU's PhD program in Computer Science is required within three months of employment. The position offers a gross annual salary of NOK 550,800, with a 2% contribution to the State Pension Fund. The employment period is three years, with the possibility of up to 12 months of additional teaching duties. The position is based in Trondheim, a modern European city known for its tech industry, quality of life, and cultural scene. To apply, submit your application and all required documents electronically via Jobbnorge.no by April 10, 2026. Required documents include transcripts, diplomas, CV, Master's thesis (or draft), motivation letter, relevant publications, and contact information for three referees. All documents must be in English. For further information, contact Professor Magnus Själander at [email protected].