Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam invites applications for a fully funded PhD position focused on developing methodologies and programming tools for reconfigurable and spatial accelerators (FPGAs, CGRAs, ML accelerators) to enhance heterogeneous ICT systems.

Important Information

Position Overview

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is offering a fully funded PhD position in the Faculty of Science, focusing on the future of computing systems. The research centers on reconfigurable and spatial architectures such as FPGAs, CGRAs, and machine learning accelerators. These technologies promise significant gains in performance and energy efficiency but pose major challenges in programming, optimization, and integration into complex ICT systems.

About the Role

The successful candidate will conduct research on developing models, programming tools, and simulation frameworks to better integrate spatial accelerators into heterogeneous computing environments. The project lies at the intersection of computer systems, parallel programming, and reconfigurable computing.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and modeling spatial computing devices for heterogeneous ICT systems.

• Building benchmarks and performance models for spatial devices.

• Exploring programming abstractions and frameworks for hardware/software co-design.

• Developing modeling and simulation tools for mapping strategies.

• Collaborating on deployment strategies for large-scale, hybrid infrastructures.

This research position is part of the Dutch “Future Network Services: 6G” initiative, a national collaboration involving major ICT industries, universities, and research centers.

Candidate Profile

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering before the program start date. Strong foundations in distributed computing, performance engineering, and accelerator programming are expected. Prior experience with FPGA, GPU programming, or high-level synthesis tools is an advantage. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, research-oriented, and capable of independent work within a collaborative research team.

What the University Offers

• A full-time, fully funded 4-year PhD position.

• Monthly gross salary ranging from €3,059 to €3,881.

• Initial contract for 18 months, extendable to 4 years.

• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.

• Excellent work-life balance, sports facilities, and flexible benefits.

About the Faculty and Research Group

The PhD candidate will be part of the Massivizing Computer Systems (MCS) group within the Faculty of Science. The group is internationally recognized for its research in distributed and reconfigurable systems. It collaborates closely with top research organizations, offering a dynamic academic environment to foster innovation and scientific growth.

About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
VU Amsterdam is a top research university located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district. The institution values diversity, sustainability, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. With over 31,000 students and 6,000 staff members, it provides a vibrant academic community dedicated to innovation and societal impact.

Application Procedure
Applications should include:

• A cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining research interests and motivation.

• Curriculum Vitae with contact details for two referees.

• Academic transcripts (BSc and MSc).

The application deadline is December 12, 2025, though reviews may begin earlier. Only applications submitted through the official VU platform will be considered.

Disclaimer

We do not own or directly recruit for this position. The information provided here is collected from the official Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam website and other verified academic sources. Our goal is to share educational and job-related opportunities for informational purposes only. Please visit the official university page for application and verification details.