Research Scientist – AI for Digital Circuit Design of Image Sensors

• Do you have a PhD in electrical engineering, hardware design, machine learning, computer science, or a related field with expertise in digital circuits and/or machine learning? 
• Do you envision AI revolutionising the future of digital circuit design for image sensors? 
• Do you want to lead groundbreaking research at the intersection of semiconductor physics and artificial intelligence? 

If so, excellent! Apply here and let's discuss your next scientific adventure. 

About the opportunity: 

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with deep expertise in digital circuit design, digital circuitry for image processing algorithms, and machine learning / AI experience to join our world-class research team. This role offers the unique opportunity to pioneer the application of AI technologies to transform chip design methodologies. 

We are looking for someone with a digital chip design background who has already acquired machine learning experience and is interested in advancing the emerging field of AI for chip design. Alternatively, we are also open to researchers with a machine learning / AI background who have already tackled research questions in digital chip design and EDA, or algorithms for image sensor hardware.    

We are looking for exceptional researchers who want to join our team of world-renowned scientists as we push the boundaries of applying AI to support human creativity and advance chip design. In this role, you will lead and contribute to our project in AI for digital chip design, bridging the gap between traditional circuit design and pioneering machine learning. 

You Will: 

• Lead and participate in research initiatives in AI-driven digital circuit design, such as innovative routing methods for physical implementation, AI-driven algorithmic optimization for digital processing in image sensors or hardware-software co-design. 

• Pioneer new methodologies for integrating AI/ML models into traditional EDA workflows 

• Develop novel machine learning algorithms and AI-assisted tools specifically tailored for digital design challenges across front-end and back-end chip design, including mixed-signals.

You Bring: 

• Educational background in electrical engineering, machine learning, optimization, computer science, applied physics, or related field 

• Strong foundation in either circuit design OR machine learning / software engineering with applied physics knowledge (we welcome experts from both domains) 

• Experience with digital or mixed-signals circuit design and ML for physical systems 

• Familiarity with software development workflows: Git version control, GitLab/GitHub collaboration 

• Good working knowledge of python and software engineering practices 

• Excellent oral and written English 

Preferred qualifications: 

• Research experience (PhD) and published studies and / or prior exposure to the semiconductor industry  

• Experience with floor-planning and layout algorithms, hardware-design languages, or proficiency with industry-standard EDA tools, digital design and verification is a plus 

• Expertise in machine learning frameworks such as pytorch, jax. 

• Knowledge of specialized ML areas, e.g. one or multiple of agentic LLMs, GNNs, RL, ML applied to physics and optics,  and low-level image algorithms, optimization, physics-based simulation, etc. 

• Excellent programming skills (e.g. python)   

• Willingness to occasionally travel to Japan (when based in Switzerland) 

• Knowledge in ASIC design 

• Working knowledge of Japanese is a plus 

Your New Office:

Surrounded by Swiss Alps, the Schlieren office is at the doorstep of Zurich, which is consistently voted in top three best cities to live. The city benefits from a very rich ecosystem where prestigious universities, research institutes, companies and organizations collaborate for the development and design of next generation technologies. Our office is very well connected with public transports (train, tram, bus) and located in a very modern and bright building. We have several enjoyable break rooms as well as a terrace which we use for regular social team events or as a casual working area. Our team is unique and international, representing engineering and sales/marketing functions, which creates this unique and passionate Sony Swiss DNA.

Life at Sony

We ensure competitive salaries and benefits by using established benchmarking. We encourage healthy work-life balance supported by hybrid and flexible working policies. We are a positive community who dream big together, respect each other, and enjoy a collaborative culture.

We like to celebrate our colleagues who make a real difference using our recognition platform. We also provide access to numerous services and platforms for all aspects of wellbeing. We listen to our people through conversations and surveys, respect their suggestions, then act on them. We also provide allowances for volunteering days so that our staff can support the causes they are most passionate about.

You can build your career around you with our fantastic range of learning & personal development programs to enhance your skills. We also encourage our staff to try exciting new roles, in a wide range of countries, with a supportive mobility team to support you if you take that leap!

Bring your uniqueness to Sony

We are passionate about creating a culture that promotes equity and cultivates inclusion, diversity, and belonging. We want employees with diverse backgrounds and perspectives that will stimulate innovation and have a direct impact on our creation of social value to fulfil Sony’s purpose – ‘to fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology’. We want you to bring your unique self to work and help shape our culture.

We are Sony Europe

Our people collaborate in an environment of respect, integrity, and open-mindedness. Diverse teams from all over Europe are the driving force for our business, and we embrace the differences that make each of us original and unique.

With offices in 28 European countries, Sony Europe caters to consumer, professional, semiconductor and healthcare markets with innovative electronics products and solutions. Our European laboratories research and develop new technologies and capabilities that contributes to the Sony Group and important issues on a planetary scale.

Bring your passion, creativity and ambitions to Sony Europe. Apply now, and let’s create the future together.

Equal Opportunity

Sony Europe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, citizenship, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, medical condition, or any other protected characteristics.

Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Sony Europe

Sony Europe will provide reasonable accommodation for any qualified individuals with disabilities in the application process. For reasonable accommodation requests, please contact us by email at [email protected] or by mail to: Sony Europe Limited, Human Resources Department, the Heights, Brooklands, Surrey, KT13 0XW, UK. When contacting us please indicate the position you are applying for, and the accommodation required.

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