Scientific Researcher (Post Doc) (f/m/d) - Electronic Components and Circuits

Universität Duisburg-Essen

We are a young, innovative university in the middle of the Ruhr Metropolis. Excellent in research and teaching, we think in terms of possibilities instead of limits and develop ideas with a future. We embrace diversity, promote potential and are committed to educational justice worthy of the name.

The University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) at the Duisburg Campus, in the Faculty of Engineering, Chair of Electronic Components and Circuits, is looking for a

Scientific Researcher (Post Doc) (f/m/d)
(salary group13 TV-L, 100 %)

Date of occupation: at the earliest possible date
Contract duration: 4 years
Working time: 100 percent of a full-time position (part-time employment possible)
Application deadline: 2025-09-28

Professor Wöhrle leads a research team as part of a strategic collaboration between the Chair of Electronic Components and Circuits (EBS) at the university and the Smart Embedded Systems group at the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (IMS).
Our research group develops innovative hardware and software architectures for next-generation intelligent embedded systems, focusing on domain-specific computing architectures and specialized accelerators for applications in medical technology, IoT systems, and autonomous robotics.
This collaboration combines the strengths of both institutions: fundamental technology development and characterization at EBS, with application-oriented research and optimization at Fraunhofer IMS. This collaborative approach advances research from theoretical concepts to practical, industry-ready solutions.
You will contribute to the complete research and development cycle in an environment that combines rigorous academic research with applied industrial innovation. Your work will have real-world applications in areas such as medical technology, smart IoT devices, autonomous systems, and intelligent robotics, supported by the resources and expertise of two leading research institutions.

Your tasks

You will actively participate in our growing team focused on AI-based embedded systems research and contribute to shaping our research agenda. You will develop new methods, models and architectures for embedded AI systems, including domain-specific computer architectures for microcontrollers and FPGAs, with applications ranging from edge devices like microcontrollers to FPGA-accelerated platforms.

• Embedded software and system integration: You will develop embedded software solutions, program microcontrollers and embedded processors, and create complete embedded AI prototypes using development boards, FPGA platforms, and embedded AI modules, including sensor integration, real-time data processing, and communication interfaces for practical applications.
• Hardware-software co-design: You will develop and optimize hardware-software interfaces and participate in co-design development to achieve optimal synergy between specialized hardware and embedded software. This includes machine learning model modification, partitioning, and optimization, with focus on analyzing and implementing the optimal distribution of computational tasks between hardware accelerators and software components to maximize system efficiency and real-time performance.
• Hardware architecture design: You will contribute in the design of digital computing and accelerator architectures, preferably using hardware description languages (VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog) for FPGA implementations and develop domain-specific processor architectures optimized for AI workloads.
• Publication and presentation: You will publish and present results in scientific journals and at conferences to actively contribute to the scientific discussion.
• Leadership and management: You will manage scientific projects and contribute to the strategic direction of our research and expanding the research team.
Initiating new third-party funded projects (DFG, BMFTR, EU).
• Teaching and supervision: You will support the preparation and teaching of courses (embedded systems, artificial intelligence/machine learning) and co-supervise doctoral, Master’s and Bachelor’s students
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: You will work in close cooperation with internal and external partners from science and industry to drive technological breakthroughs in applications such as medical technology, smart IoT devices, autonomous systems, and intelligent robotics.

Your profile

• PhD or equivalent qualification in electrical engineering, electronics, computer engineering, technical computer science or a related field with focus on embedded systems or AI
• Strong experience in embedded programming: proficiency in programming for microcontrollers (ARM Cortex, RISC-V based platforms etc.) and embedded systems development
• Embedded AI expertise: experience with machine learning frameworks for embedded systems (TensorFlow Lite, TinyML, Edge Impulse, etc.) and AI model deployment on resource-constrained devices
• Experience with either hardware design using HDLs (Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL) for FPGAs or extensive embedded software development experience
• Preferred additional experience: FPGA development tools (Vivado, Quartus), embedded Linux, sensor integration, digital signal processing, computer vision for embedded systems, or robotics applications. Knowledge in digital ASIC development is a plus.
• Experience with Python for algorithm development and prototyping is a plus.
• High motivation to solve scientific challenges creatively and independently
• Written and spoken German language skills are preferred.

As part of this position, you will be encouraged and supported in pursuing advanced academic qualification, up to and including habilitation.