Job Description

Ref Number

B04-06597

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

UCL BEAMS (B04)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

See advert text

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

Hybrid

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

20-Oct-2025

About us

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The Electronic Materials and Devices Group of the UCL Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering wishes to appoint a Research Fellow to develop a roadmap for neuromorphic computing hardware.



Brain-inspired, neuromorphic, systems mimic the functions of the brain, opening exciting possibilities for new classes of electronic systems able to process data with vastly lower power consumption than existing computers, while also dealing with noisy and imprecise signals in a way that challenges digital systems. The research field is at a relatively early stage, and a roadmap is needed to guide researchers and industry to create the most impactful technologies. The UK, along with other key players globally, is making significant investments in neuromorphic computing. While much is promised of the technology, we lack a coherent strategy identifying key challenges and approaches to solve them.

About the role

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This position will help to deliver the goals of the project by helping to develop a roadmap for the hardware requirements of future brain-inspired, neuromorphic, computing systems. The work will involve digesting relevant literature - both academic and in the trade and popular press - interviewing key players (academic, industrial, policy, public), both in the UK and globally, in the field, and synthesising an initial draft of a roadmap. This will be carried out within the Neuroware Innovation and Knowledge Centre in Neuromorphic Computing Hardware, which is led by UCL with eight partner institutions: the universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester, Sheffield, and Strathclyde, Imperial College London, King's College London, and the National physical Laboratory. The post holder will be able to be involved in many aspects of the centre, and will liaise with other researchers, industry partners and policy makers in the semiconductor field, both in the UK and globally.



The post is available for 12 months in the first instance. Further funding to support the post may be available. The salary range available is UCL Grade 7.31-33, 45,103 - 47,451 per annum (inclusive of London Allowance).

About you

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Candidates should have a PhD (or about to submit) in either a relevant technical field (Electronic Engineering, Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Physics or a closely related field (e.g. Semiconductor Physics)) or in science policy, science and technology studies, or related field. They should have a track record research in either memristive materials and devices or a closely related field, or in science policy, science and technology studies or related field. Experience of writing high-level reports for technical and non-technical readers is essential, as well as experience of speaking with researchers and industrialists from a wide range of backgrounds..



Understanding of the principles of electronic device or computer system operation is desirable, as well as experience of working with policy makers.



If the successful candidate has not yet been awarded their PhD, appointment will be made as a Research Assistant (Grade 6B). Payment at Grade 7 will be backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis including corrections, once the PhD has been awarded. Research Assistant (Grade 6B): point 25-28. Salary range 39,148 to 41,833 (inc. London Allowance of 5,197 pa).

Application details:

To apply for the role, click the 'Apply Now' button at the bottom or top of the page Applications close on 20th October at 23:59 A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page Informal enquiries regarding this post can be addressed to Professor Tony Kenyon a.kenyon@ucl.ac.uk. For questions regarding the application process please contact Rebecca Thomas at becca.thomas@ucl.ac.uk.

What we offer

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As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:


41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan Immigration loan Relocation scheme for certain posts On-Site nursery On-site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.



We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.



Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.