Post-doc Position: Emergent Computing in Nanomechanical Oscillator Networks in Aemstelredamme, Nederland

Institute AMOLF

Amsterdam, Netherlands

From € 4.552 per month gross

Work Activities

The Mechanical Metamaterials and Hypersmart Matter groups at AMOLF are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to investigate how interactions between micromechanical oscillators can give rise to unconventional material computers.

You will investigate arrays of coupled silicon drum resonators, each of which can sustain two stable oscillation phases and thereby act as a physical bit. When these bistable elements interact, their collective response can depend on the history and sequence of applied inputs, opening possibilities for memory and computation. Building on ideas developed in macroscopic mechanical metamaterials, you will explore how networks of these microscopic elements can perform tasks such as counting and recognizing input sequences.

You will combine experiments with modelling to uncover the switching pathways of interacting resonators, connect these pathways to computational tasks, and investigate what sets their robustness and energy cost. Tunable interactions and access to multiple vibrational modes provide opportunities to explore how computational behaviour can be reprogrammed within the same physical device. The experiments will take advantage of the state-of-the-art cleanroom at AMOLF, as well as of our optical characterization facilities.

Qualifications

We seek an excellent candidate with a background in physics or engineering, ideally with relevant experience in micromechanics or physical computation. You need to have a doctoral degree, or have met all the requirements and will receive the doctoral degree shortly. We strongly believe in the benefits of an inclusive and diverse workplace, and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.