PhD in Integrated Photonics for Distributed Acoustic Sensing Systems

Job Description

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 SPEAR

The Semiconductor and Photonics Education and Research (SPEAR) Centre, funded by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), is an €8.5 million cross-border project by Atlantic Technological University, Ulster University, Tyndall National Institute and their associate partner Seagate Technology. The Centre aims to build research capacity in integrated photonics and semiconductor technologies, contributing to the development of Ireland's and Northern Ireland's deep-tech innovation ecosystem. It seeks to train the next generation of scientists and engineers to support growth in sectors such as healthcare, telecommunications, advanced manufacturing, and sensor networks. The position is available at Tyndall National Institute in Cork.

Project Description

Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) relies on coherent detection of Rayleigh backscattered light in standard optical fibres to measure distributed dynamic strain. Short interrogation pulses are launched into the fibre, and local perturbations alter the optical phase and amplitude of the backscattered field. Processing these changes across time and position allows vibration signatures to be mapped over tens of kilometres with high spatial resolution. DAS is increasingly used for environmental, maritime and infrastructure monitoring. As many sensing systems now operate on fibres that also carry communication traffic, there is growing interest in interrogation hardware that is compact, robust and capable of reliable performance on shared links. Recent DAS developments, such as multi-branch monitoring schemes that interrogate several fibre paths from a single location, further increase the need for precise multi-wavelength routing and low-loss optical components that function reliably on deployed networks. Integrated photonic circuits (PICs) provide an excellent platform for this, offering accurate wavelength multiplexing, low-loss routing and the integration of multiple optical functions on a single chip.

This PhD will focus on designing Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) building blocks that improve the practicality of advanced DAS interrogators. The project will develop new PIC building blocks that enhance the performance, scalability and compactness of future DAS platforms operating on modern fibre infrastructures. The work will include the design of arrayed waveguide gratings for multi-wavelength φ-OTDR interrogation, phase-modulator arrays for controlled probe synthesis, and integrated optical splitters and interferometric combining elements used in coherent and heterodyne detection schemes.

Photonic Chips designed in this project will be fabricated through multi-project wafer runs and incorporated into prototype DAS interrogator modules developed within the Photonic Systems Group. The prototypes will be tested both in the lab and on real deployed fibre, including terrestrial and subsea links. This gives the student a rare opportunity to evaluate PIC-based interrogation concepts directly on deployed fibre links.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research on the design and simulation of integrated photonic components relevant to DAS interrogators, including wavelength-routing structures, modulators and on-chip detection elements.
• Develop and optimise PIC layouts using industry-standard design environments and modelling tools.
• Characterise fabricated photonic devices using optical, electrical and RF laboratory instrumentation.
• Integrate PICs into prototype DAS interrogation modules and contribute to system-level experimental evaluation.
• Analyse experimental data, compare results with models, and refine designs based on observed performance.
• Present research findings at key international conferences and publish in high-impact journals.
• Complete required PhD coursework, participate in group meetings, and contribute to outreach and cohort activities.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required
• Ensure 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

• First or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in Electrical / Electronic Engineering or Physics.
• Strong interest in photonics, or high-speed optoelectronic systems, modelling and experimental work
• Proficiency in scientific programming (Python, MATLAB, or equivalent).
• Excellent analytical and programming skills (Python, MATLAB, or equivalent).
• Self- motivated and able to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English suitable for technical documentation, presentations, and publication.
• A clear motivation letter describing why you want to pursue this PhD and how your skills and experience relate to the project.

Desirable Criteria

• Masters degree in Physics/Engineering/Photonics
• Experience with photonic integrated circuit design tools (e.g., IPKISS, Lumerical, or similar).
• Knowledge of fibre-optic sensing, optical communications, or laser modulation techniques.
• Experience with laboratory optical characterisation (e.g., fibre coupling, optical spectrum analysis, photodetector measurements, RF modulation).
• Familiarity with numerical methods for photonic or electromagnetic simulation.
• Background in signal processing, interferometry, or coherent detection.
• Experience with data analysis and visualisation using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent environments.
• Understanding of electronics relevant to PIC testing (e.g., drivers, amplifiers, bias control) is an advantage.
• Evidence of research experience through an undergraduate project, internship, publication or conference presentation.

What We Offer

• A generous 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.
• Mardyke Sports Arena - Students - free when registered with UCC
• Free Park and Ride Service

Terms of Employment

The annual stipend is €25,000. In addition, annual tuition fees will be paid by the Tyndall National Institute. Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term

• The successful candidate will be registered as PhD student at University College Cork. Doctoral students are going to be equipped with the highest level of scientific and engineering research skills needed to address the challenges of developing new integrated photonic technologies for diverse applications, as well as with the entrepreneurial, leadership and teamwork capabilities needed to lead and operate at the highest levels in industry.
• As a student in the SPEAR Centre, you will join a vibrant, supportive and engaging cohort of 15 students and will have the chance to travel and attend a bespoke induction programme with students from all three partners, an annual training school and have access to advanced courses in areas such as semiconductor fabrication, packaging and entrepreneurship.
• Preferred start date: the position is open and can commence as soon as candidate acceptance and administrative requirements (e.g. University approvals and visa where relevant) are complete. The latest possible start date is 1st October 2026.

Any queries concerning this PhD position can be sent to Cleitus Antony.