PhD Position - MSCA Elevate - Neuromodulation stable learning in recurrent neural networks

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Organisation/Company University of Liège Department Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Final date to receive applications 5 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Reference Number  Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

PhD Position — The
Event-based LEarning, Vision, and AcTuation for Edge applications (ELEVATE) Network

ELEVATE is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) funded by the European Union.

Title: Neuromodulation for stable learning in recurrent neural networks (R16)

Located in the French-speaking part of Belgium, the University of Liège hosts nearly 27,000 students of 123 different nationalities in a dynamic and multicultural city less than an hour away from Brussels and Cologne, two hours from Paris and three hours from London and Amsterdam.

The Neuroengineering Lab aims to advance our understanding of biological intelligence and leverage this understanding to develop more adaptive and sustainable intelligent machines. The lab brings together a diversity of theoretical, computational, and experimental expertise, ranging from mathematical modeling, computational analysis, and control theory, to robotics, microelectronics, machine learning, and electrophysiology.

Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) are emerging as a powerful model for efficient processing of temporal data in low-footprint edge devices. However, while local learning rules have recently been shown to enable high-performance learning with RNNs, they are notoriously unstable. To solve this problem, this project aims to develop stable local learning rules for RNNs by taking inspiration from a central aspect of stable learning in the brain, rhythmic activity, thereby outlining a flexible spectrum from regulation to adaptation.

• Familiarize yourself with biological and artificial neural networks.
• Build computational models and algorithms for online learning in biophysical and artificial neural networks.
• Publish research papers and participate in international conferences and workshops to present your work.
• Complete an international academic stay at TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT, Netherlands with Prof. Charlotte Frenkal, co-supervisor.
• Participate in yearly retreats organized by the doctoral network participants.
• Contribute to the supervision of student projects and BSc/MSc theses.

• MSc in electrical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or related fields.
• Prior experience in computational neuroscience.
• An interdisciplinary mind, willing to understand and do research on biological intelligence and to think critically about how to translate it into machines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

• You must not already hold a PhD at the time of recruitment.
• Mobility rule: you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies) in Belgium for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.

• Fully funded PhD position with competitive salary and, where applicable, mobility and family allowances (MSCA terms). The University is providing the 4th year of funding.
• International training within the ELEVATE network.
• The Neuroengineering Lab offers an interdisciplinary environment with expertise in mathematical modelling and analysis, CMOS design, machine learning, computational and experimental neuroscience, as well as many local and international collaborations, both with academic and industrial partners.

• A detailed CV
• A cover letter (1 page maximum) explaining their interest in the position

Our corporate policy is based on diversity and equal opportunity. We select candidates on the basis of their skills and do not discriminate on grounds of age, sexual orientation, origin, beliefs, disability or nationality.