Postdoctoral Fellow in Computer Engineering (Harvard University)

Position Details Title: Postdoctoral Fellow – On-Premise Computing for Autonomous Vehicles Institution: Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Department/Area: Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering / Computer Science Location: Cambridge, MA Appointment: 1-year postdoc with optional second year (based on performance and funding) Start Date: Expected January 1, 2022 (likely a typo; confirm actual 2026 start) Salary Range: $67,600 – $91,826 annually Project Overview The project focuses on high-performance deep neural network (DNN) systems for autonomous vehicles (AVs), specifically for SWaP-constrained (size, weight, and power) platforms, using hybrid electro-photonic accelerators. The goal is to: Develop and prototype an end-to-end electro-photonic computing system (CPUs + accelerators) Integrate the system with AV sensors (RADAR, LIDAR, cameras, ADAS) Demonstrate real-time perception, mapping, and planning Ultimately deploy the system on a fully autonomous buggy Collaborators: Harvard University (Prof. Vijay Janapa Reddi), Boston University (Prof. Ajay Joshi), Lightmatter (Dr. Darius Bunandar) Responsibilities Collaborate with graduate students and engineers across Harvard, BU, and Lightmatter Conduct research and publish in top-tier conferences Present research at conferences, universities, and companies Develop new research directions and contribute to grant proposals Qualifications Required: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science Expertise in at least one of the following: Computer Architecture/Systems: Design, modeling, simulation of heterogeneous or photonic system architectures Machine Learning Algorithms/Systems: ML design and application to computing systems Autonomous Vehicles/Systems: AI integration and evaluation for AVs, familiarity with AV simulators and stack Preferred / Additional: Expertise in two or more areas above Hands-on experience with design and prototyping of complete computing systems Application Materials Curriculum Vitae with publications Cover Letter summarizing fit for project and career goals Undergraduate and graduate transcripts References: Minimum 2, Maximum 5 Contact: Sarah Gayer – sgayer@g.harvard.edu This is a highly interdisciplinary postdoc combining computer architecture, machine learning, and autonomous vehicle systems, ideal for candidates with strong research experience in any combination of these areas and an interest in cutting-edge photonic computing. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

Position Details

Title: Postdoctoral Fellow – On-Premise Computing for Autonomous Vehicles
Institution: Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Department/Area: Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering / Computer Science
Location: Cambridge, MA
Appointment: 1-year postdoc with optional second year (based on performance and funding)
Start Date: Expected January 1, 2022 (likely a typo; confirm actual 2026 start)
Salary Range: $67,600 – $91,826 annually

Project Overview

The project focuses on high-performance deep neural network (DNN) systems for autonomous vehicles (AVs), specifically for SWaP-constrained (size, weight, and power) platforms, using hybrid electro-photonic accelerators. The goal is to:

Develop and prototype an end-to-end electro-photonic computing system (CPUs + accelerators)
Integrate the system with AV sensors (RADAR, LIDAR, cameras, ADAS)
Demonstrate real-time perception, mapping, and planning
Ultimately deploy the system on a fully autonomous buggy

Collaborators: Harvard University (Prof. Vijay Janapa Reddi), Boston University (Prof. Ajay Joshi), Lightmatter (Dr. Darius Bunandar)

Responsibilities

Collaborate with graduate students and engineers across Harvard, BU, and Lightmatter
Conduct research and publish in top-tier conferences
Present research at conferences, universities, and companies
Develop new research directions and contribute to grant proposals

Qualifications

Required:

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science
Expertise in at least one of the following:
- Computer Architecture/Systems: Design, modeling, simulation of heterogeneous or photonic system architectures
- Machine Learning Algorithms/Systems: ML design and application to computing systems
- Autonomous Vehicles/Systems: AI integration and evaluation for AVs, familiarity with AV simulators and stack

Preferred / Additional:

Expertise in two or more areas above
Hands-on experience with design and prototyping of complete computing systems

Application Materials

Curriculum Vitae with publications
Cover Letter summarizing fit for project and career goals
Undergraduate and graduate transcripts
References: Minimum 2, Maximum 5

Contact: Sarah Gayer – sgayer@g.harvard.edu

This is a highly interdisciplinary postdoc combining computer architecture, machine learning, and autonomous vehicle systems, ideal for candidates with strong research experience in any combination of these areas and an interest in cutting-edge photonic computing.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

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