About the project
As AI becomes increasingly pervasive, there is growing demand for systems that are faster, more intelligent, and more efficient. Semiconductor technologies are providing new opportunities, but each with system-level implications. This research project with imec-UK will investigate how full-stack hardware-software-model optimisation can be harnessed to enhance inference efficiency and sustainability.
Nowadays, industry is shifting toward heterogeneous integration, including chiplets, advanced 2.5D/3D packaging, application-specific accelerators, and novel memory technologies. This emerging design philosophy—sometimes referred to as “CMOS 2.0”—relies not on a single technology but on mixing-and-matching technology ingredients to unlock system scaling bottlenecks. However, this significantly increases the complexity of the design space and exacerbates thermal issues resulting from increased power density.
In this PhD project you will investigate how advanced system-technology co-optimisation (STCO) can be harnessed to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of inference, exploring full-stack co-design including the AI model itself. For example this could include:
- developing methods to incorporate AI model design into STCO workflows, e.g. using neural architecture search (NAS)
- demonstrating design points to showcase how such full-stack STCO could be leveraged to optimise the system for inference accuracy/latency, efficiency, thermal dynamics and power density, and/or embodied carbon
- exploring how sustainability and efficiency trade-offs (e.g. achieving sufficient rather than maximal AI accuracy) can influence system design choices.
The project is supported by imec UK, providing industrial co-supervision, expertise on STCO, and access to technology details (e.g. 3D pitches, PDKs, NVM datasheets, embodied carbon estimates, etc). Imec is the world's largest non-profit semiconductor research centre with leading edge semiconductor fabs. Imec defines the semiconductor roadmap and collaborates with the major technology companies and many startups and universities. Its research interests range from sub-nanometre transistors to integrated photonics, 3D chiplets and novel cooling approaches. Imec Cambridge focusses on system-technology co-optimisation and AI system simulation.
This project is part of the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Sustainability (SustAI), a 4-year integrated programme (iPhD). You'll be part of a dynamic and diverse cohort, benefiting from expert mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The programme includes comprehensive training in sustainability, AI and machine learning, and digital design, preparing you for a career at the forefront of research in this area. You'll have access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, fostering an environment of innovation and excellence.
The School of Electronics and Computer Science is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
