Research Fellow in Informatics Ref 20764
School/department: School of Engineering and Informatics - Informatics
Hours: Full-time or part-time hours considered up to a maximum of 1FTE. Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).
Location: Brighton, United Kingdom
Contract: fixed term for 3 years
Reference: 20764
Salary: starting at £36,333 to £43,155 per annum, pro rata if part-time.
Placed on: 24 May 2023
Closing date: 05 July 2023. Applications must be received by midnight of the closing date.
Expected Interview date: To be confirmed.
Expected start date: 01 August 2023
Job description
Are you an FPGA expert looking to use your skills to accelerate cutting-edge AI applications with spiking neural networks? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to join the AI group within the Department of Informatics at the University of Sussex.
We have many years of experience using GPU hardware to accelerate spiking-neural networks which we have distilled into our GeNN library (https://genn-team.github.io/). However, while GPUs can provide excellent performance on static datasets, they are less suitable for ‘live’ data. FPGAs provide an exciting alternative and have already been shown to be well-suited to spiking neural network simulation. In this project – funded through Dr James Knight’s prestigious EPSRC Research Software Engineering Fellowship – the research fellow will work with the GeNN team to codesign hardware and software for a programmable FPGA accelerator which will be driven by our GeNN software and deployable at scales ranging from the edge to the data-centre.
Key requirements
You should be educated to PhD level (or be close to completion) with extensive experience of using Hardware Description Languages to implement accelerators for hard or soft-core FPGA processors. You should also have a strong interest in spiking neural networks and machine learning and, ideally, already some experience in these areas.
Please contact Dr James Knight (J.C.Knight@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.
The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.
The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
You can find out more about our values and our EDI Strategy, Inclusive Sussex, on our webpages.
Download Job Description and Person Specification 20764 [PDF 129.57KB]
The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed from the UK.
Visa Sponsorship Queries:
"This role has been assigned an eligible SOC code however to meet the minimum salary requirement this is dependent on the salary you are offered and/or whether you are eligible for tradeable points. If you require visa sponsorship from the University of Sussex to undertake this role please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information. If you want further advice on sponsorship eligibility please contact HRCompliance@sussex.ac.uk"
“Please note that this position may be subject to ATAS clearance if you require visa sponsorship.”
How to apply
Download our academic application form [DOC 199.50KB] and Personal Details and Equal Opportunities Form [DOCX 65.11KB] and fill in all sections.
When applying, please fill in the application form and attach a full CV. Use the space for additional information in support of your application to address in detail what you are bringing to the project and why you are the best candidate for the position, referring to the role specific criteria as outlined in the Job Description.
Email your completed application, and personal details and equal opportunities form, to jobapps@sussex.ac.uk
You should attach your application form and all documents to the email in PDF format (we are unable to accept applications as google.docs or .pages) and use the format job reference number / job title / your name in the subject line.
You can also send your application by post to Human Resources Division, Sussex House, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RH.