PhD in Event-Based Sensor Fusion Algorithms for Real-Time Perception and Control

Introduction

PhD position on developing novel event-based algorithms for the fusion of FMCW radar and event-based cameras data for low-latency perception and control. You will explore the design space of low-latency control systems, mapping your solutions to FPGA-based neuromorphic hardware and building demonstrators in collaboration with industrial partners.

Job Description

Autonomous systems, such as collaborative robots or drones, must perceive and react to their environment in milliseconds. Traditional perception pipelines process data in "frames" (snapshots in time), which introduces unavoidable latency and high data redundancy. Furthermore, fusing distinct modalities, like the spatial depth, speed and direction of moving objects from FMCW Radar and the high temporal resolution of Dynamic Vision Sensors (DVS/Event Cameras), remains a complex computational challenge.

As a PhD candidate at the Neuromorphic Edge Computing Systems (NECS) Lab, you will develop "event-based" algorithms that fuse these two sensory worlds. You will move beyond simple classification and target real-time perception and control tasks.

Your core research responsibilities will include:

• Algorithm Design & Sensor Fusion: You will research novel Spiking Neural Network (SNN) and Event-based architectures that can fuse sparse radar data (e.g., Range-Doppler maps or binary encoded signals) with the asynchronous stream of events from DVS cameras. You will explore different fusion strategies (early vs. late fusion) to maximize information extraction while minimizing latency.
• Design Space Exploration: You will not just build one model; you will explore the trade-off space between latency, accuracy, and energy efficiency. You will investigate how techniques like sparsity, quantization, and pruning affect system performance on the edge neuromorphic platforms..
• Hardware Mapping (FPGA & Neuromorphic): You will work closely with hardware designers to map your algorithms onto the NECS lab's custom neuromorphic platforms and FPGA accelerators. You will ensure your algorithms are "hardware-friendly", optimizing for memory constraints and in-memory computing architectures.
• Demonstrators: You will validate your full-stack solution by building compelling demonstrators (e.g. closed-loop low-latency control systems, and/or smart lighting systems) in collaboration with our project partners, such as Demcon and Signify.
  
  

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Physics, or a related field.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++.
• Experience with Deep Learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Knowledge of, or a strong interest in, Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs), Quantization/Pruning, event-based processing, or neuromorphic computing.
• A "hardware-aware" mindset: you understand (or are eager to learn) how algorithmic choices impact memory, power, and latency on physical chips.
• Experience with embedded systems, microcontrollers, or FPGA prototyping is a plus.
• A research-oriented attitude with strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team (communicating effectively with both software engineers and hardware designers).
• Motivated to develop teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).
  
  

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to acquire, share and transfer knowledge and understanding in the whole field of Electrical Engineering through education, research and valorization. We work towards a ‘Smart Sustainable Society’, a ‘Connected World’, and a healthy humanity (‘Care & Cure’). Activities share an application-oriented character, a high degree of complexity and a large synergy between multiple facets of the field.

Research is carried out into the applications of electromagnetic phenomena in all forms of energy conversion, telecommunication and electrical signal processing. Existing and new electrical components and systems are analyzed, designed and built. The Electrical Engineering department takes its inspiration from contacts with high-tech industry in the direct surrounding region and beyond.

The department is innovative and has international ambitions and partnerships. The result is a challenging and inspiring setting in which socially relevant issues are addressed.

The Neuromorphic Edge Computing Systems Lab (NECS) is managed by Dr. Federico Corradi and is part of the Electronic Systems (ES) group (tue.nl/es). The ES group is a top research group consisting of five full professors, three associate professors, five assistant professors, several postdocs, about 40 EngD and PhD candidates, and support staff. The ES group is world-renowned for its design automation and embedded systems research. Our ambition is to provide a scientific basis for design trajectories of electronic systems, ranging from digital circuits to cyber-physical systems. The trajectories are constructive and lead to high-quality, cost-effective systems with predictable properties (functionality, timing, reliability, power dissipation, and cost). Design trajectories for applications that have strict real-time requirements and stringent power constraints are an explicit focus point of the group.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Federico Corradi, assistant professor, f.corradi@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Kevin Caris, HR advisor, k.t.caris@tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.