Applied AI Scientist/Engineer

Applied AI Scientist/Engineer About imec Qatar Imec Qatar is a new regional office where we drive our mission of pioneering innovative semiconductor solutions that lay the foundation for a smarter, greener, and truly AI-driven future. Specializing in advanced design tools for emerging technologies like silicon photonics and 3D integrated circuits, imec Qatar is at the forefront of chip development. We are also driving the future with intelligent solutions to optimize infrastructure and deep-tech innovations targeting applications for a sustainable society. This is more than just a new office - it is the start of an exciting journey. With the launch of imec Qatar, you have the unique opportunity to join us from day one and help shape the future of semiconductor innovation in the region. Be part of the team from the very beginning, joining us as Applied AI Scientist/Engineer in Doha, Qatar. What you will do You will contribute to the research, development, and application of AI techniques for semiconductor innovation within the newly launched imec Qatar center. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team of AI researchers, chip designers, and system architects, you will help advance the use of AI in ASIC design flows, compute architectures, and system-on-chip (SoC) development. You will: • Contribute to the execution of the AI roadmap for semiconductor R&D activities within the center. • Collaborate with experts in AI, compute architectures, and chip design to explore and develop AI-enhanced methodologies for semiconductor design and optimization. • Help identify and evaluate high-impact application domains and use cases for AI-driven design flows, digital twins, and design automation in multiple application areas. • Contribute to the development of virtual twins of future compute platforms, enabling in-silico experimentation, architecture exploration, and validation of AI-optimized hardware components. • Develop, prototype, and evaluate AI methods that can accelerate or improve ASIC design, SoC architecture exploration, and hardware-software co-design workflows. • Work with AI-assisted design and co-design tools to enable intelligent optimization of semiconductor systems. • Share knowledge and collaborate closely with researchers, chip designers, and architects across multiple disciplines. • Contribute to publications, technical reports, demonstrations, and research proposals where appropriate. Who you are Required • Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Microelectronics, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related STEM field. • 3+ years of experience in applied research and/or technology development involving AI, machine learning, or optimization methods. • Hands-on experience with one or more of the following: Reinforcement Learning Bayesian Optimization Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) Surrogate modeling Agentic AI systems Design-space exploration techniques • Strong programming skills in Python and familiarity with modern ML frameworks and software engineering best practices. • Experience developing proof-of-concepts and translating research ideas into prototypes, demonstrators, or deployable solutions. • Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary R&D teams. • Strong communication skills and an interest in collaborating with experts from both AI and semiconductor domains. Preferred • Experience with semiconductor design flows, EDA tools, ASIC development, SoC architecture exploration, or computer architecture research. • Familiarity with hardware/software co-design methodologies. • Experience applying AI to engineering, scientific computing, optimization, or design automation problems. • Experience contributing to scientific publications, patents, or industrial research projects. • Knowledge of digital twins, simulation frameworks, or architecture modeling environments. • Experience mentoring junior colleagues, students, or project team members is a plus.