Postdoktorand (m/w/d) – Energiegewinnung für IoT

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 the Team

The role is ideally for post docs (or professionals with a demonstrated research excellence and leadership track record) with relevant experience/experience looking for an opportunity to increase the impact and innovation elements of 2 exciting 'powering the internet of things' EU projects within the ICT4EE group at Tyndall, namely RISEnergy & INFRACHIP. The minimum academic qualification is a PhD (or an equivalent international degree) in electronic engineering, physics, computer science or related relevant discipline. The contract is initially for 6 months with a view to positioning the candidate for future feasibility study and project opportunities subject to capabilities shown and future funding opportunities. Such opportunities will be generated via project and proposal writing activities.

About the Role

The researcher will participate in EU INFRACHIP & RISEnergy Research Infrastructure project feasibility studies that Tyndall has underway as part of its Transnational Access (TA) offering. The feasibility studies range from state of the art literature reviews to simulation model development to characterisation of IoT and 'power IoT' devices and systems across a broad range of applications. These TA studies are done free of charge for academic and industry applicants in semiconductor chips and renewable energy systems respectively and are a seminal step in creating new partnerships and proposals.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The nature of the work will depend on project needs at a given point of time but will comprise some combination of the following:-

• Micro-power energy harvesting modelling based on existing Tyndall platforms.
• Characterisation &/or development of energy harvesting and power management solutions for both projects.
• Characterisation of power consumption of IoT devices with a view to identifying optimization opportunities based on existing and emerging technologies.
• Conducting state of the art reviews (paper &/or bench studies) of energy harvesting devices, circuits and solutions.
• Develop early proof of concept 'power IoT' design solutions
• Generate material for high quality publications (journal, posters, conference papers, patents, newsletters, social media).
• Travel as required to meetings, project partner sites and any other deployment sites to support installation, troubleshooting and operation of power IoT solutions.
• Maintain project engineering logs (hard copy and software) of all activities including engineering documents, meetings, reviews, results, IP generated, project correspondence, etc. in accordance to Tyndall's ISO900 procedures.
• Execute duties in accordance with terms and conditions of both projects
• This is a hands on role and so the candidate needs to be practical, assertive and achievement orientated. It is also essential that technical and feasibility study reports are delivered in a timely manner in accordance with project terms.
• The successful candidate will be highly self-motivated and will contribute as an integral member of a dynamic and growing research team.
• The need to work flexible hours and to be adaptable in working practice is essential.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities.
• 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

• PhD in engineering, physics, science or a relevant discipline to the role
• Some research experience in energy harvesting systems and techniques for ultra-low power IoT applications.
• Skills or understanding in any of the following energy harvester types; RF, PV, TEG or vibrational for low power IoT applications.
• Competence in circuit level hardware design and some familiarity of firmware design in the application of Ultra-Low Power IoT systems.
• The candidate will need to demonstrate strong analytical and problem solving capabilities.
• Good self-management, report writing skills and communication skills for interaction with project partners.
• A proven ability to work well in a team and an ability to independently take on projects and carry them out from initial requirements to prototype.

Desirable Criteria

• PhD in Electronic or Electrical Engineering or a related discipline
• A key research focus of the group is energy harvested autonomous sensors (wired or wireless) and so knowledge of the trade-offs required in low power systems is desirable.
• Some working knowledge of sensors in order to be able to select an optimum solution for a given application is desirable.
• Experience in development, modelling and integration of Energy Harvesting transducers, sensors, transceivers, microcontrollers, low power interface standards (e.g. I2C, SPI) and signal conditioning circuits.
• This includes interfacing energy harvested power sources to Wireless sensors and development of power storage strategies using batteries and super capacitors.
• Experience in implementing end to end Wireless Sensor system for low power IoT applications from sensor to cloud.
• Some experience in, or, at least exhibit an aptitude for stakeholder management (interactions with project partners).

What We Offer

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

• 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 6 months

Appointment may be made on the Post doc Scale (new entrants) salary ???46,805- ???53,391 annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Michael Hayes
Closing date for applications for this position is 1pm, 22nd June 2026

Please make sure to attach an up-to-date CV/Resume AND a brief motivation letter outlining how you meet the 'Essential Criteria' for this role.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on university approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.

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