Junior Scientist - Edge-AI Accelerators

Your future responsibilities

We are looking for a highly motivated Junior Scientist AI to join SAL’s Embedded Systems Research Team. In this role, you will contribute to applied research projects with industrial and scientific partners, focusing on the development of resilient, safe, and trustworthy AI systems. You will work in close collaboration with colleagues across different units at SAL and help translate research concepts into real-world applications.

Your main tasks will be:

• Research and develop novel hardware accelerators (for e.g. GNN) tailored for the RISC-V architecture
• Explore hardware/software co-design methods to optimize accelerator performance, area and efficiency
• Implement and evaluate accelerator prototypes using FPGAs
• Analyze performance, scalability, and bottlenecks
• Collaborate closely with SAL researchers and university supervisors
• Present research results internally and at scientific conferences
• Publish research papers and contribute to technical reports, reviews, and summaries

Your Leadership responsibilities

Your Scientific responsibilities

Your profile

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Physics, or a related field
• Experience of working with RISC-V hardware and toolchains, as well as with FPGAs, would be an advantage. 
• Experience of working with embedded systems (microcontrollers and Raspberry Pis) would be an asset. 
• Hands-on experience with machine learning (ML) frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow is advantageous.
• Experience with interfaces and protocols such as AMBA/AXI, SPI and UART would also be an advantage.
• A good understanding of digital logic design, finite state machines (FSMs) and pipelined architectures is required.
• Foundational knowledge of computer architecture and digital design. 
• Proficient in SystemVerilog, Verilog and/or VHDL. 
• Experience of working with C/C++, Python or similar programming languages. 
• Fluency in English is essential; knowledge of German would be advantageous. 
• Good communication skills, including basic presentation and academic writing skills

Important Facts about SAL

• Diverse research activities with many technical challenges.
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment.
• Location in the heart of Europe in Austria – relocation support for non-European nationalities.
• Internal and external training opportunities for career development.
• Family & children friendly - actively shaping the compatibility of family and career.
• “Vital4SAL” to promote a healthy workplace (e.g. SAL coaching pool, trainings on mental health, physical activities, healthy snacks, 24/7 accident insurance)
• € 4 per day meal allowance in restaurants or € 2 per working day in supermarkets.
• Public transport initiative (subsidy for the “Klimaticket”
• Our values:  
  • Open door policy, flexibility in working hours, casual dress code, diverse teams, working with people of different nationalities, informal communication, lifelong learning,compatibility of family and career, sustainability, personal growth, and collective advancement.

This position is subject to the Collective Agreement for employees in non-university research (Research CA) starting in occupational group E. We offer competitive salaries and additional benefits based on your experience and qualifications. For this position, your minimum monthly salary starts with EUR 3.963,00, paid 14 times a year

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