The University of Calgary is looking for applicants for a recently approved Canada Excellence Research Chair in Neuromorphic Computing for the 2026 CERC competition (see link below), which would generously fund an established researcher through the CERC program (see info below). For additional information, please feel free to contact me at wilten.nicola@ucalgary.ca *Link to Application * https://research.ucalgary.ca/research/our-impact/canada-excellence-research-... *More info on the CERC program* https://www.cerc.gc.ca/about-au_sujet/index-eng.aspx *Launched in 2008, the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build on Canada's growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. The program awards world-renowned researchers and their teams either $8 million or $4 million over eight years to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. These awards are among the most prestigious and generous available globally. * *CERC in Neuromorphic Computing at Calgary* *The human brain is a hyper-efficient computer, capable of rapidly performing the operations necessary for movement, interaction and memory by using biological networks of neurons and other neural cells. Human performance requires that complex computations are done nearly instantaneously using relatively little power. Inspired by biological systems, neuromorphic computational solutions are poised to dramatically increase the types of computational problems we can answer using energy-efficient approaches. Neuromorphic systems consist of a range of new technologies that mimic brain cells and brain function in their design and implementation of computing hardware, software and algorithms. Distinct from current computing approaches, which are powered by discretized mathematical operations running on digital transistor-based solutions, neuromorphic computing promises leaps forward in both computing power and energy efficiency.* *A Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Neuromorphic Computing Systems will develop and refine biologically inspired hardware, software, and algorithmic solutions that harness the efficiencies of brain-inspired computing to solve complex problems that would otherwise require prohibitive amounts of classical computing power.* *Candidates will have an established track record of expertise in neuromorphic computing systems. Relevant domains include, but are not limited to, 1) hybrid digital implementations/emulation of analog neural systems (e.g., spiking neural networks implemented in specialized hardware, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and application-specific integrated circuit (ASICs), 2) direct analog systems which use circuits of electrical elements (e.g., resistors/memristors) to mimic brain cells and operations, or 3) smart materials, which can provide brain-like computation with radically different computational elements (e.g., nanowire networks), and 4) energy-efficient brain-inspired hardware, software and algorithm design.* *CERCs are international leaders in their field, and it is expected that applicants will have an excellent track record of securing national and international grant support, publications with demonstrated impact across a range of appropriate technical journals and alongside other higher impact forums and have contributed to the training of a large and diverse group of trainees. A clear vision of the broad societal impact of their research is essential, as is a commitment to collaborative inter- and trans-disciplinary research.* *The University of Calgary’s Neuromorphic Computing Program <https://hbi.ucalgary.ca/computational-neuroscience> has emerged from our well-established and international recognized Brain and Mental Health Strategy. Led by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (hbi.ucalgary.ca <http://hbi.ucalgary.ca>) in partnership with other faculties, including the Cumming School of Medicine, the Faculty of Science, and the Schulich School of Engineering, the Brain and Mental Health Strategy coordinates the research and education a multidisciplinary group of over 350 faculty and 1,500 staff and trainees across brain and mental health scholarship. The successful CERC will join, build upon and meaningfully contribute to the activities in our computational neuroscience initiative that includes a rapidly growing group of transdisciplinary researchers working across many relevant and highly complementary areas including computational modeling of brain function, perception and behavior; assessment of complex, dynamical systems; and advanced application of network neuroscience, machine learning and brain computer interface approaches and methodologies. *