Postdoctoral Researcher – Photonics Devices

Tyndall; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 47,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Athena Swan Bronze award

UCC pension

Long-term illness benefit

Job summary

Tyndall National Institute, Ireland’s leading research organisation, seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher in Photonics devices to advance active components and their integration in photonic circuits. You will work on Micro-Transfer Printing and contribute to device design, fabrication, integration and characterization.

The role offers access to state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities to impact multiple application areas including communications, healthcare and energy.

Qualifications

• PhD required in a related discipline with strong publication record.
• Significant knowledge of compound semiconductor devices and optical waveguides.
• More than 2 years experience in processing or measurement for photonic devices.

Responsibilities

• Simulate photonic structures and devices.
• Design robust fabrication process flows for compound semiconductors.
• Mask design and layout for photonic devices.
• Complete device fabrication with inline testing and detailed evaluation.
• Characterise electro-optic performance of devices.
• Publish research results in leading journals and conferences.
• Mentor group members and participate in outreach activities.
• Assist in Health & Safety and Quality Management compliance.

Skills

Photonic devices knowledge

Device design & integration

Semiconductor processing & metrology

Education

PhD in Physics, Communications, Electrical/Electronic Engineering or related

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher – Photonics devices

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 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 Team

Photonics at Tyndall has a vibrant and expanding world-class research ecosystem comprising more than 200 researchers with activities that include photonic theory, III-V and III-Nitride material epitaxy, photonic integration, hybrid integration and packaging together with applications in microelectronics, bio-photonics and communication systems. Tyndall is the project lead of the recently announced Rinn Semiconductors. Rinn Semiconductors is part of a constellation of seven major new centres which collectively represent an investment of €460M in advanced research by the Government of Ireland. Rinn Semiconductors aims to lead Ireland’s response to the end of Moore’s Law scaling, the point where traditional improvements in computer chips slows down or ends, by pioneering modular integrated circuit-based (chiplet-based) semiconductor design and integration. With deep expertise in the areas of Heterogeneous Integration and Advanced Packaging, the Rinn Semiconductors team propose to enable transformative advances in these technologies and to apply them in three main application areas: Future Internet, Sustainable Energy and Environment, and Digital Healthcare. A key objective of the Rinn is to foster deep collaboration across the seven universities and institutions involved, by leveraging the semiconductor fabrication facilities at Tyndall, ultimately creating a cohesive “atom to systems” value chain in Ireland, connecting everything from basic materials research through to complete technology solutions. The Rinn will operate in close collaboration with Ireland’s vibrant semiconductor industry sector which supports 20,000 high skilled jobs and includes world leading multinational companies, small and medium sized enterprises and start-ups.

About the Role

The Photonic Devices group at Tyndall National Institute is now seeking Research Scientists to join our team in developing active (photonic, electronic and other functionality) components and their integration in compact photonic circuits. A key focus of the research will be the utilisation of one of the leading emerging technologies for large-scale photonic-electronic heterogeneous integration, namely Micro-Transfer Printing (MTP), which Tyndall has pioneered. Tyndall has outstanding fabrication, characterisation and test facilities to enable the research. You will join a dedicated team of highly skilled research staff where you will contribute to device design, fabrication, integration and characterisation. We seek a team of researchers with experience in semiconductor device physics, simulation, technology development and advanced characterization of materials and the devices.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Simulation of photonic structures and devices.
• Design robust process flows for fabrication of compound semiconductor based photonic devices incorporating with appropriate risk management.
• Mask design and layout.
• Complete high quality device fabrication with appropriate in-line testing and detailed evaluation of the individual process steps.
• Characterising the electro-optic performance of the devices
• Disseminate research achievements through publications in high profile journals and at significant conferences.
• Participate in mentoring activities within the group.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities.
• Ensure support of and compliance with Tyndall’s Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations.
• To carry out any additional duties that may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

• PhD degree in Physics, Communications, Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant knowledge of compound semiconductor devices and optical waveguides
• More than 2 years of experience in processing or measurement of these materials for photonic devices.
• Evident strong knowledge of photonic device design, processing, integration and characterisation.
• Evident proficiency in managing process flows and in report writing for research projects.
• Good publication record in IEEE and/or Optica journals and conference publications.

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of entrepreneurial experience and creative skills/creativity
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience working on industry projects

What We Offer

Apart from offering a position in a highly successful and positive research environment, with a collaborative ethos full of diverse competencies to boost your career, we offer the following:

• Impactful Work: Opportunities to contribute to ground-breaking research and innovation that shape Ireland’s economy and the society at large.
• Continuous Learning: Strong support for formal training, further study and professional development.
• Interdisciplinary Environment: Where academia, industry, and innovation intersect – supported by cutting-edge infrastructure and expert knowledge.
• Blended Working: Flexibility to work remotely and on-site, where the role allows.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Access to UCC pension, long-term illness benefit, life assurance, and more.
• Generous Leave: Competitive annual leave entitlements.
• Equity & Inclusion: Athena Swan Bronze award holder, with ongoing initiatives led by a dedicated People and Culture team to ensure equity for all.
• Core Values: A culture grounded in Ambition, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: A proactive, innovation-driven environment that welcomes entrepreneurial and creative thinkers, including those with start-up experience.
• Supportive Onboarding: Structured induction and mentoring to help new hires integrate and thrive.
• Vibrant Culture: A collaborative, people-first workplace with a strong sense of community.

Terms of Employment

Contract Category: Full-Time

Contract Type: Fixed Term, 24 months with possibility for extension based on the availability of funding and progress.

Appointment may be made on either the Post-Doctoral Researcher Salary Scale €47,273- € 53,925,313 or Senior Postdoctoral Researcher Scale €55,399- €60,250 per annum, depending on experience. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Brian Corbett

Closing date for applications for this position is 23rd October 2026.

Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.

Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.