PhD Position: Neuromorphic Brain-Computer Interface at SDU
The Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at SDU invites applications for a PhD position in Neuromorphic Brain-Computer Interface Design. Are you a multidisciplinary researcher excited about working on the cutting edge of AI/Neuromorphic and user interface design? We'd love to hear from you!
Research area and project description
A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) decodes brain activity patterns and transforms them into actionable commands, enabling direct communication between the brain and external devices. BCIs have broad applications, from restoring movement in people with movement disabilities and treating brain-related disorders like epilepsy or Parkinson’s disease, improving brain functions, and enabling hands-free control of machines or computers.
One of the main challenges in developing future BCIs is to increase the number of brain signal channels while keeping the system very small and energy-efficient. This is very important for implantable or wearable systems.
This PhD project focuses on designing and testing a fully integrated, 32-channel neuromorphic BCI system. The system will be designed to scale efficiently to much higher channel counts in the future. The system will include:
- A very compact, ultra-low-power analog front-end (AFE) to sense neural signals.
- An on-chip neuromorphic processor to convert the neural data into spike-based encoded data and performing local neural pattern recognition and decoding.
- A low-power transceiver, which will transmit only the decoded high-level control commands instead of the raw data, dramatically reducing bandwidth and energy requirements.
By doing all processing locally on-chip, the system eliminates the need for sending large amounts of unprocessed brain signals wirelessly that is essential for building completely autonomous, energy-efficient, high-density BCIs. The PhD student will work on designing and testing all parts of this system, focusing on making it small, power-efficient, and suitable for medical or wearable use.
Work description
The selected PhD student will be responsible for the full development of the neuromorphic BCI system. Tasks will include:
- Designing a 32-channel, low-power analog front-end for brain signal acquisition
- Implementing an on-chip neuromorphic processor with a spike encoder and spiking neural network
- Developing a low-power spike-based transmitter.
- Setting up measurement systems and performing tests, possibly in collaboration with clinical partners.
Qualifications
Applicants should hold a MSc in electronics, computer engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
Required Qualification:
- Solid background in analog/mixed-signal ultra low power CMOS circuit design, including experience with amplifiers, data converters, and bias circuits.
- Experience with industry-standard EDA tools such as Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre, or Mentor Graphics.
- Understanding of semiconductor device physics, especially MOSFET operation, modeling, and scaling.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with Neuromorphic Computing and Spiking Neural Network.
- Hands-on experience with layout and tape-out of CMOS chips.
Contact person:Professor, Farshad Moradi, moradiycobbangelica47aodonnell@dudley-banks.dksmith-flores.dksdu.dkcruz.dk , +45-41893344, Associate Professors Yasser Rezaeiyan (rezaeiyanemily75toni93@sdu.dkhiggins.dkmurillo.dkquinn-ruiz.dk), Milad Zamani (jonathan69frank44mzamani@adams-price.dksdu.dkmitchell.dkmiller.dk), and Hooman Farkhani (deborah74farkhanidavidmoonuhoffman@stevens.dklowery.dksdu.dk).
If you experience technical problems, please contact brooksjeremymelanie51hcm-support@martin.dkparker.dkoliver.dksdu.dk.
Application procedure
Before applying the candidates are advised to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on how to apply.
Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and an application must include:
- Motivated application.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Master’s and bachelor’s degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (copy of original/official English translation).
- Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
- Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website.
- An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish).
- Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: An official written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.
- List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).
- References may be included, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.
- A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.
SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file).
All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.
The application deadline is August 31, 2025,at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST)
Assessment and selection process
Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.
Read about the Assessment and selection process.
Conditions of enrollment/employment
Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position, and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is 36.138 DKK. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step.
The position is available from October 1, 2025, at the start date will be agree with the successful candidate.
Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment is contingent on enrollment approved by the PhD School. Enrollment will be in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described herein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Further information about salary and conditions of employment. The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial evaluation, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.
The University of Southern Denmark wishes our staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, are subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position.
Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.
Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.