PhD Student: Flexible Antenna Communication Systems

Tyndall National Institute; Ireland; On-site; EUR 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Tyndall National Institute in Cork, Ireland, invites applications for a sponsored PhD degree in Flexible Antenna Communication Systems as part of the EU-funded Transformational e-Textiles project (e-FLOWER) in collaboration with University College Cork.

The research spans next‑generation, stretchable electronic textiles and advanced materials, aiming to deliver wearable antenna systems that are reliable, recyclable and high‑performance.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in antenna design and new materials.
• Motivated and research-driven with ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to pursue a PhD and engage in EU-funded research project.

Responsibilities

• Develop antennas systems that can be integrated on flexible substrates alongside electronic components and sensors.
• Design and analyse the performance of antenna elements, high-frequency interconnects and RF components using EM 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.

Job description

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.

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.

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