Key Skills

Job Description

Post-doc position: Emergent computing in nanomechanical oscillator networks 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. Work environment Our groups create (meta)materials and (meta)devices that process information in novel ways, using phenomena that are not traditionally used for computation. We investigate how computational capabilities emerge from the properties of its physical substrate, such as symmetry, topology and disorder. We aim to challenge the current approach to information processing, which assumes that every computational step is carried out perfectly. Instead, we want to build computers that embrace the complexity and imperfection of real-world physical systems. AMOLF is a part of NWO-I and initiate and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and to create new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 140 researchers and 80 support employees. www.amolf.nl Working conditions The working atmosphere at the institute is largely determined by young, enthusiastic, mostly foreign employees. Communication is informal and runs through short lines of communication. The position is intended as full-time (40 hours / week, 12 months / year) appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of 3 years Salary is in scale 10 (CAO-OI (http://www.nwo-i.nl/en/employees/employment-regulations)) which starts at 4.552 Euro’s gross per month, and a range of employment benefits (https://www.nwo-i.nl/en/working-at-nwo-i/informationforapplicants/). AMOLF assists any new foreign Postdoc with housing and visa applications and compensates their transport costs and furnishing expenses. More information? For further information about the position, please contact Marc Serra Garcia: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) and Martin van Hecke: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). Application You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below, at the latest by Nov 30, 2026 Online screening may be part of the selection. Diversity code AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability. AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Commercial activities in response to this ad are not appreciated.

Core Responsibilities

Investigate how coupled silicon drum resonators can perform computational tasks such as counting and recognizing input sequences, combining experiments with modelling to study their switching pathways. Connect these pathways to computational functions and assess robustness, energy costs, and how tunable interactions and vibrational modes can reprogram the device.

Requirements

Applicants must have a doctoral degree or have completed all requirements and be due to receive the degree shortly. A background in physics or engineering is sought, with relevant experience in micromechanics or physical computation considered ideal.

Benefits

• Housing Assistance
• Visa Application Assistance
• Transportation Cost Reimbursement
• Furnishing Expense Reimbursement