Tenure Track Assistant Professor on AI Accelerator

SDU Microelectronics, part of Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IME), University of Southern Denmark (SDU), invites applications for a 4-year tenure track assistant professorship in AI Accelerator Circuits and Architectures.

The position is aimed at candidates with a strong and documented track record in hardware accelerator development, with demonstrated experience in AI accelerator ASIC design and hands-on use of end-to-end ASIC design flows. The successful candidate will strengthen SDU’s research and teaching activities in advanced AI hardware, contributing to national and European strategic initiatives in semiconductors and the EU Chips Act.

The position is expected to start in 2026. The exact start date will be agreed with the successful candidate.

What we offer 

• A stimulating and ambitious research environment within SDU Microelectronics, with strong activities in integrated circuits, digital systems, neuromorphic and in-memory computing, and AI-driven hardware platforms.
• Opportunities to conduct cutting-edge research in AI accelerator circuits, architectures, and ASIC implementations, closely aligned with real-world hardware development.
• Access to advanced facilities and infrastructure for ASIC design, simulation, verification, prototyping, and system-level evaluation.
• Excellent opportunities for collaboration with national and international academic partners and with industry in semiconductors, embedded AI, and hardware acceleration.
• An open, collaborative, and international work culture within SDU’s Faculty of Engineering (TEK).

Research focus areas

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to and strengthen SDU’s research profile in AI hardware and accelerators and help the DKCCC to play a key role within the area of AI accelerators for computing on the edge. Relevant research topics include, but are not limited to:

• AI accelerator circuits and architectures
• Design and implementation of AI accelerator ASICs
• End-to-end ASIC design flow (architecture, RTL design, synthesis, physical design, timing, power, and sign-off)
• Hardware accelerator development for deep learning, edge AI, and data-intensive workloads
• Energy-efficient and high-performance accelerator design
• Hardware–software co-design for AI systems
• Verification, validation, and benchmarking of hardware accelerators

What we expect 

• A PhD (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field
• A documented track record in hardware accelerator development, commensurate with career stage
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with AI accelerator ASIC design and industrial or academic ASIC design flows
• Evidence of scientific productivity (publications, patents, or equivalent) and a clear vision for future research
• Ability and motivation to contribute to externally funded research projects and collaborative initiatives
• Commitment and ability to teach and supervise students at bachelor’s and master’s levels, including course development in digital design, computer architecture, and AI hardware
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, and willingness to contribute to the strategic development of SDU Microelectronics and the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IME).

Workplace description 

The successful candidate will join SDU Microelectronics, a dynamic and expanding section at the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IME). The section conducts internationally recognized research in integrated circuits, spintronics, photonics, and neuromorphic computing, and plays a central role in SDU’s ambition to be a national and European hub for semiconductor and chip innovation.

Further information 

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Farshad Moradi (moradi@sdu.dk / email), Head of the SDU Microelectronics section and Associate Professor Hooman Farkhani (farkhani@sdu.dk / email), Deputy Head of SDU Microelectronics. 

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

Application

Applicants are advised to read the SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include: 

• Motivated application.  
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Master’s and PhD degree certificates or equivalent (original and an official English translation).  
• Complete list of publications. 
• Publications most relevant to the position. 
• Summary and documentation of experience in teaching.  You may attach as a Teaching Portfolio. 
• A research statement.
• References/reference letters may be included.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included. 

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected. 

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file). 

The application deadline is March 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST) 

Tenure Track at the Faculty of Engineering, SDU
The Faculty of Engineering at SDU offers an attractive 4‑year tenure track programme for promising scholars with strong research achievements and high potential for reaching an international level of excellence. Candidates enter at the assistant professor level and, upon successful completion, will be promoted to a permanent position associate professor, subject to a positive assessment by an expert committee. Indicators of relevant scholarly merits include documented independent scholarly output, ground-breaking publications, achievement of excellence grants, and international research network.

The programme includes annual performance reviews, a midterm evaluation by an expert panel, and a final academic assessment. If the final assessment is positive, the candidate will be offered a permanent position as associate professor. If the final evaluation is negative, the assistant professor may request one additional assessment within the last six months of employment. The 4‑year period may be extended in connection with maternity, paternity, or adoption leave.

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 employment

Appointment as a tenure track assistant professor is temporary and for an initial 4-year period, with guaranteed assessment for a permanent position as associate professor during the final year of employment. 

During employment, the tenure track assistant professor will complete the Lecturer Training Programme. 

Employment as a tenure track assistant professor requires academic qualifications at a minimum of PhD level at the time of employment. 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 including the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for tenure track assistant professor as described therein. Further information on salary and taxation. Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

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The University of Southern Denmark wishes its 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, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).

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.