PhD Student: Flexible Antenna Communication Systems

tyndallnationalinstitute; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend €25,000/year

Tuition fees covered

Leave and travel support

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Tyndall National Institute invites applications for a PhD Studentship in Flexible Antenna Communication Systems, in collaboration with University College Cork. The project focuses on wearable and flexible RF antennas for sensing, energy harvesting and communication, within the EU-funded e-FLOWER program.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team, access world-class RF testing facilities, and progress from MS by Research to PhD. Closing date 25 September 2026.

Qualifications

• First class honours degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or relevant discipline.
• Lectures in antennas and propagation, electromagnetics, microwave engineering or similar with high grades.
• Experience with RF/EM design tools such as HFSS/FEKO/CST, ADS/Cadence or similar.

Responsibilities

• Develop antennas systems that can be integrated on flexible substrates alongside electronic components and sensor.
• Design and analyse the performance of antenna elements, high-frequency interconnects and RF components using electromagnetic analysis tools.
• Define suitable materials, manufacturing and integration strategies.
• Design test structures to characterize the electrical and mechanical properties of materials.
• Develop digital manufacturing methods for flexible RF components and antennas.
• Experimentally validate the performance of materials, components and systems.
• Provide regular progress updates, prepare technical reports and publications.
• Deliver technical presentations to sponsors and conferences.
• Carry out independent research which results in high-impact IEEE publications.
• Collaborate with other researchers and students as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Support the teaching, training and lab organization activities of the group.
• Ensure compliance with Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards.

Skills

RF/EM design

Education

Bachelor degree (Electrical/Electronic Engineering or relevant)

Bachelor’s thesis in relevant area

Tools

HFSS/FEKO/CST/ADS/Cadence

Job description

PhD Student: Flexible Antenna Communication Systems

About Tyndall

Tyndall National Institute is an international leader in semiconductors, photonics and deep-tech research and innovation. As a leading collaborative European research institute, Tyndall is a key actor and hosting partner in the delivery of the ‘Chips for Europe Initiative’ (EU Chips Act).

Tyndall is Ireland’s leading research and innovation organisation and it is the national focal point for excellence in deep-tech research, development and graduate training at the convergence of nanotechnology, microelectronics, photonics, electronics and AI. Tyndall is recognised as an international research leader in semiconductor, chip and digital technologies, particularly as applied to the fields of Information & Communications, Health & Life Sciences, Agritech & Food Security, Energy and Climate Mitigation, emerging fields such as quantum, and novel computing paradigms.

The Institute’s key objective is to see frontier research activities having a significant impact on economic development and societal challenges in Ireland, Europe and beyond. Central to Tyndall’s mission is delivering economic impact through research excellence in partnership with industry and academia. With an annual turnover of more than €50m, the Institute has a community of over 600 researchers, engineers, support staff, postgraduate students, interns and industry researchers-in-residence.

With significant committed Irish government support, Tyndall will grow to be 1,000 people by 2030, with approximately 750 researchers, including 250 PhD students. A new 17,000 m2 research building is under development adjacent to the Cork headquarters and there are developing plans to expand Tyndall’s existing Dublin research labs and to establish other research sites within Ireland.

Tyndall’s expansion is also supported by recent national and EU funding wins for significant (M€10’s) additional research equipment across a range of areas such as semiconductor processing, microscopy, quantum technologies, heterogeneous integration, ultra-high speed optical communications and RF through THz characterisation.

About the Role

The Advanced RF Technologies (ART) Group and the Integrated Nanomaterial Group at Tyndall National Institute (TNI) and University College Cork, Cork, Ireland are inviting applications for a sponsored PhD degree in Flexible Antenna Communication Systems for sustainable health and wellbeing applications as part of EU-funded Transformational e-Textiles: Materials And Processes For Stretchable, Durable And Sustainable Wearable Electronics (e-FLOWER) project. E-FLOWER is centered around next generation sustainable, stretchable, and durable electronic textiles (e-textiles) for sensing, communication and energy harvesting. By combining advanced biocompatible materials, additive manufacturing technologies, Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles, and circular-design approaches, e-FLOWER will create high-performance wearable electronic systems that are comfortable, reliable, repairable, and recyclable. We are looking for a highly-motivated research-driven individual with strong interest in antenna design, new materials and integration strategies to become a member of an inter-disciplinary team that aims to deliver cutting-edge wearable electronics, antennas and sensor systems.

The PhD student will become a member of a diverse and vibrant community of students, research professionals and academics at TNI and UCC and will have access to world-class RF characterization, antenna measurement and manufacturing facilities at TNI and UCC. Further information on our community and infrastructure can be found in the following websites: Advanced RF Technology Group: https://advancedrftechnologies.com/ University College Cork: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ Tyndall National Institute: https://www.tyndall.ie/.

Key responsibilities

• Develop antennas systems that can be integrated on flexible substrates alongside electronic components and sensor.
• Design and analyse the performance of antenna elements, high-frequency interconnects and RF components/ using electromagnetic analysis tools.
• Define suitable materials, manufacturing and integration strategies.
• Design test structures to characterize the electrical and mechanical properties of materials.
• Develop digital manufacturing methods for flexible RF components and antennas.
• Experimentally validate the performance of materials, components and systems.
• Provide regular progress updates, prepare technical reports and publications.
• Prepare literature reviews and training tutorials.
• Deliver technical presentations to sponsors and conferences.
• Carry out independent research which result in high-impact IEEE publications.
• Collaborate with other researchers and students as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Support the teaching, training and lab organization activities of the group.
• Ensure compliance with Tyndall's Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations.
• Engage in education and public engagement activities.
• Meet the post-graduate degree requirements.

Essential Criteria

• First class honours degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or relevant discipline.
• Successfully completed lectures in antennas and propagation, electromagnetics, microwave engineering, electronic/RF circuits or similar discipline and received high grades.
• Experience with RF/Electromagnetic design tools such as HFSS/FEKO/CST, ADS/CADENCE or similar.
• Bachelor’s thesis in areas relevant to the position.
• The candidate must have high analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• The candidate must demonstrate proficiency in English alongside with good scientific writing and communication skills.
• The candidate must be available to start no later than Sept. 7th, 2026

Desired Criteria

• Experience in antenna design and characterization.
• Experience in using network analyser and antenna chamber
• Experience in manufacturing.
• IEEE conference/journal publications

What we offer

The succesfull candidate will be initially enrolled for 12 months in the MS by Research Degree Programme at UCC. Upon successful completion of the annual progress review the student will be transferred to the PhD Programme and will graduate with a PhD degree.

• A tax-free scholarship stipend payment including tuition fees covered.
• 20 days per annum annual leave for full-time research students, in addition to public holidays.
• Full coverage of travel expenses to international conferences to present project outcomes.
• Training and development opportunities are also provided.
• Also see here for more information

Terms of Employment

Contract Type: Fixed Term
Contract Category: Full Time
Contract Duration: 4 Years Studentship

The annual stipend is €25,000.00. In addition, annual tuition fees will be paid by the Tyndall National Institute.

Informal inquiries can be made in confidence to Prof. Dimitra Psychogiou.

Closing date of applications is 1pm, 25th September 2026

Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies. Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.