Network Architecture Researcher AI and HPC

Organisation/Company IMEC Research Field Engineering Computer science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Leading Researcher (R4) Other Profession Positions Research Support Positions Final date to receive applications 14 Apr 2026 - 11:21 (Europe/Brussels) Country Belgium Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Shaping Tomorrow’s Compute Networks—Where Architecture Meets Innovation.

What you will do

Compute System Architecture (CSA) is a center of excellence at imec focused on HW–SW–Technology codesign for future compute systems. As a network architect/researcher in CSA, you will play a key role in pathfinding future machinescale network designs enabled by emerging architectural and technological innovations (such as photonics/optical interconnect and wireless).

Your responsibilities will include:

• Working with large scale network models and adapting them as needed to incorporate target innovations.
• Designing and running experiments to drive research insights.
• Collaborating closely with colleagues within and outside CSA to interface with workload models or to capture technologylevel aspects.
• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Computer Science or Electrical/Computer Engineering.
• 6+ years of relevant experience(candidates with slightly less experience but strong alignment with other expectations are encouraged to apply).
• Strong background and expertise in large scale network design, including topology, routing, congestion control, communication protocols, resilience, and performance analysis (e.g., traffic modeling, network characterization).
• Experience with or strong understanding of, optical (or electrical) circuit switching.
• Experience with detailed network modeling tools such as NS3, OMNET++, SST Merlin, Astra Sim, etc.
• Familiar with AI/HPC workload characteristics and their interplay with network modeling.
• Knowledge & experience with good software/hardware engineering practices (e.g., quality, version control, CI/unit-tests, …).
• You enjoy being hands-on and working with and mentoring like-minded junior colleagues, promoting a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence.
• (Optionalbut good to have) Familiarity with recent industry initiatives around Ultra-ethernet, CXL,UALink.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth.

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits.