PhD Candidate, AI-driven co-design for High-Performance Computing in Radio Astronomy

The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) are looking for a:

2 PhD Candidates, AI-driven co-design for High-Performance Computing in Radio Astronomy

We are looking for two fully funded PhD candidates for a multi-disciplinary project on the boundary of AI (Artificial Intelligence), HPC (High-Performance Computing) and radio astronomy. Data-intensive science, such as radio astronomy, will shortly be faced with difficult choices since the vast amount of energy required to reduce large-scale telescope data will become more and more expensive and unsustainable. One way to address this issue is to use more efficient emerging technologies (like dedicated AI processors, in-memory computing, neuromorphic chips, etc.). However, the effort required to port existing codes is often prohibitive. Successful candidates will investigate whether AI can assist in generating code to address these challenges. This will involve tuning existing open Large Language Models (LLMs) to add knowledge about existing radio astronomy codes and the capabilities of emerging technologies, testing prototype codes generated by these models for performance, sustainability and functional correctness.

The specific focus of the research done is to be determined in collaboration with the co-supervisors: dr. P. Chris Broekema (ASTRON, LIACS) and prof. Rob V. van Nieuwpoort (LIACS). The research will focus on the AI and HPC aspects, with radio astronomy as the use-case to drive requirements and test the proposed solutions with real-world challenges. One candidate will focus on terrestrial radio astronomy, while a second candidate will explore space-based radio astronomy applications. We expect that both candidates will closely collaborate on these two very different use cases.

This research is part of the SuperCode project, funded under the NWO Open Technology Programme. As such, this is applied research in collaboration with a number of partners in both science and industry. You can find a summary of the project proposal here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.08490. 

Key responsibilities

• Conduct original research in the field of sustainable computing, high-performance computing and AI;
• Publish scientific work in well regarded peer-reviewed journals and/or present at top-level international conferences;
• Pursue and complete a PhD thesis within the appointed duration of 4 years;
• Engage and collaborate with other researchers and developers within LIACS, the project consortium, and beyond;
• Assist in relevant teaching activities;

Selection Criteria

A successful candidate would have / be:

• Recently completed (or soon to be completed) MSc in computer science or AI with a specialisation in, for example, AI, sustainable computing, High-Performance Computing, Computer Systems, or another relevant specialisation;
• strong academic performance in university-level courses in computer science, in particular topics related to computer architecture
• eager to tackle complex scientific challenges related to data-intensive science, sustainability, HPC and AI;
• passionate about working collaboratively with other researchers, scientists and industry;
• a strong interest in AI and the environmental impact of computing in general, an affinity with astronomy in general and radio astronomy in particular is a pre;
• experience with signal processing and/or numerical methods (i.e., numerical precision, solvers, linear algebra) is a pre;
• to communicate fluently in English, both spoken and written;
• willing to travel between Leiden and ASTRON in Drenthe on a regular basis (i.e., one day per month).

Research at our faculty

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2.300 staff and almost 5,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. For more information, see www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science  and  www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at

The Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) is the Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Institute in the Faculty of Science of Leiden University. We offer courses at the Bachelor and Master of Science level in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, ICT in Business, Media Technology, and Bioinformatics. According to an independent research visitation, we are one of the foremost computer science departments of the Netherlands. We strive for excellence in a caring institute, where excellence, fun, and diversity go hand in hand. We offer a clear and inviting career path to young and talented scientists with the ambition to grow. For more information about LIACS, see http://www.cs.leiden.edu.

ASTRON is the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy. ASTRON is part of the institute’s organisation of NWO. Our mission is to make discoveries in radio astronomy happen. We do this by developing new and innovative technologies, operating world-class radio astronomy facilities, and pursuing fundamental astronomical research. ASTRON designed, built and now operate the largest low-frequency radio telescope in the world, the International LOFAR telescope, a pathfinder telescope to the ambitious Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope currently under construction in the South African and Western Australian desserts. These data-intensive instruments have proven to require massive amounts of signal processing to turn instrument data into science-ready data product, a challenge we are uniquely equipped to handle. ASTRON has an active and successful research and development programme that co-designs efficient hardware and software for radio telescopes, with a particular and increasing focus on sustainability.

Terms and conditions 

We offer a full-time 1-year term position for initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the thesis, personal capabilities and compatibility the appointment will be extended by a further three years. Salary ranges from € 2.901,- to € 3.707,-  gross per month (pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3%), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science www.graduateschools.leidenuniv.nl. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by the research school.

D&I statement

Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information 

Enquiries can be made to dr. Chris Broekema, p.c.broekema@liacs.leidenuniv.nl or 
prof. Rob van Nieuwpoort,r.v.van.nieuwpoort@liacs.leidenuniv.nl. If you have any questions about the procedure, please email to jobs@liacs.leidenuniv.nl.

Applications

Please submit your application online, no later than 22-03-2025, via the blue button in the vacancy. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:

• A motivation letter including choice to apply for and your applicability for the position;
• A curriculum vitae;
• A short research plan describing how you would approach your first year of the mentioned project (max. 1 page);
• Grade list (both bachelor's degree and master's degree);
• Examples of scientific writing (e.g., a scientific publication or master’s thesis);
• Names and contact details of at least two academic references (who have agreed to be contacted).