Postdoctoral Researcher /Research Associate
Bio-Inspired Electronics and Reconfigurable Computing Research Group
College of Engineering & Informatics, NUI Galway NUI.BIRC
Ref. No: NUIG 73-14
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed term software
engineering postdoctoral researcher / research associate position with the Bio-Inspired Electronics
and Reconfigurable Computing Research Group, NUI Galway, one of four collaborating European
institutions working on the project “Emulating the C. elegans nervous system: A blueprint for
brain-inspired computational architectures”. The C. elegans project is funded by the European
Commission Seventh Framework Programme (Grant Agreement: 601215) and is available for one
year from September 2014, with the possibility of extension for up to a further 7 months.
C. elegans project: Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) features one of the simplest nervous
systems in nature, comprising 302 neurons and approximately 8000 connections. The EU project will
develop a hardware-based computing framework that accurately mimics C. elegans in real time and
enables complex and realistic behaviour to emerge through interaction with a rich, dynamic
simulation of a natural or laboratory environment. Two core aspects govern the project; (a) the
technological design and assembly of the Si elegans hardware architecture, the development of a
virtual arena and neural response model design, FPGA configuration interface, and their integration
into a user-friendly web-accessible platform. (b) it’s deployment to the scientific community for its
independent peer-validation as a free-access tool and testbed for neurocomputational studies.
Main duties of the advertised position (work package 5):
 Ongoing development and implementation of the WP5 specification
 Neuron model capture, embedded neural learning and simulation, prior to FPGA hardware
implementation.
 Validation of neuron models in both software simulation and FPGA based neural network
applications.
 Interaction with and refinement of high level neuron model to HDL toolsuite for optimised
hardware synthesis and implementation of neural networks.
 Generation of hardware neural network test stimulus and neural network behaviour readback and
verification.
 Definition and implementation of the interfaces between WP5 elements and other Si elegans
partner modules.
 Interaction with consortium members and the neuro-science community of users of the Si elegans
WP5 testbed and Si elegans prototype.
 Publication and reporting/presentation of results
 Project management.
Essential Skills:
 Neuron model, neural network, online neural learning: specification, design, implementation and
test experience.
 Software application development, including experience with Python, Java, C, Unix, network
protocols, web-based and distributed systems.
 Experience with web technologies HTML, CSS, HTML 5, Javascript, JSON, AJAX, websockets.
 Experience with opensource development and in particular with existing opensource
neuroscience projects.
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Experience with IP/Ethernet connectivity for embedded systems.
Experience of HDL-based FPGA development
Applicants are expected to have completed a primary degree in Electronic & Computer
Engineering or a related field. A relevant Ph.D is highly desirable.
Strong record of research publication
Evidence of extensive project management and scheduling experience, team work, issue
tracking, and revision control.
Desirable Skills
 An interest in computational neuroscience and C. elegans.
We seek highly motivated and creative individuals with a passion for interdisciplinary research
leading to high-impact applications in support of the project objectives. Excellent english writing,
editing and presentation skills are required along with a demonstrated ability to effectively
communicate research in the form of journal papers and oral presentations. The overall project
duration is three years from April 2013.
Salary: €37,750 - €46,255 per annum (Public sector pay policy rules pertaining to new entrants will
apply).
Start date: September 2014
Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research at NUI Galway
For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie
To Apply: Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees
should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Dr. Fearghal Morgan
(fearghal.morgan@nuigalway.ie).
Please include the reference number NUIG 73-14 in the subject line of e-mail applications.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 5:00pm on Thursday 17th July 2014
Interviews will take place the week of the 21st of July 2014
National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.