PhD - Development of interface materials for magnesium-based thermoelectric devices

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 MGICIAN Doctoral Network

MGICIAN is a Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network dedicated to developing sustainable magnesium-based thermoelectric materials and translating them into high-performance solid-state cooling technologies. The network brings together academic and industrial partners across Europe and trains 15 Doctoral Candidates (PhD students) in materials development, interface engineering, module fabrication, and system integration.

About the Role

The PhD student will focus on the development and evaluation of advanced interface material schemes for magnesium-based thermoelectric devices used in solid-state cooling applications within the MGICIAN Doctoral Network. The project will address the design and optimisation of interface materials and bonding strategies to achieve low electrical contact resistance, mechanical robustness, and long-term stability. Particular emphasis will be placed on compatibility with magnesium-based thermoelectric systems and industrially relevant fabrication routes.

The project will combine electrical, thermal, structural, and thermo-mechanical characterisation to establish interface-performance relationships and identify processing- and operation-induced failure mechanisms, ensuring integration compatibility with thermoelectric modules developed within the consortium.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The PhD student will:

• Develop and process interface materials and bonding strategies for magnesium-based thermoelectric devices
• Investigate structural, electrical, thermal, and thermo-mechanical properties of interfaces
• Analyse inter-diffusion, reaction layers, and contact resistance phenomena
• Optimise interface concepts to achieve low electrical resistance and high long-term reliability
• Study degradation mechanisms under thermal cycling and operational conditions
• Support integration of the developed interface into thermoelectric modules
• Collaborate closely with modelling, materials, and module-focused PhD students within the network
• Participate in secondments, network-wide scientific training, and transferable skills activities
• Disseminate research results through peer-reviewed publications, international conferences, and outreach initiatives
• 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

The listed tasks are indicative and may evolve in accordance with project developments.

Secondments

To strengthen interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral training, the PhD student will undertake the following secondments:

• III-V Lab (France) - 2 months
• Focus: Industrial interface fabrication strategies and device-level requirements
• CSIC (Spain) - 2 months
• Focus: Interface materials analysis and reliability assessment
• DLR (Germany) - 2 months
• Focus: Integration of optimised interfaces into thermoelectric modules and system-level evaluation

Essential Criteria

Education

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a closely related field

Technical Competences

• Strong background in materials interfaces, thin films, joining technologies, or device fabrication
• Experience with experimental materials characterisation techniques
• Knowledge of electrical and thermal transport phenomena is advantageous
• Understanding of thermo-mechanical behaviour and reliability testing is beneficial
• Interest in thermoelectric devices and energy-related materials

Personal Skills

• Strong analytical and experimental problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and within an international interdisciplinary research network
• Excellent written and spoken English

MSCA Doctoral Candidate Eligibility Criteria

• Must not hold a PhD degree and qualify as an Early-Stage Researcher under MSCA-DN rules.
• Applicants must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Ireland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.

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
• Also see here for more information

Terms of Employment

• Salary according to the MSCA Doctoral Network regulations (including mobility allowance; family allowance if applicable)

• Contract: Full-time/ Fixed Term employment contract for up to 36 months

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr. Kafil M. Razeeb

Reference Code: MGICIAN-UCC-DC5

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.

Postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency as per UCC regulations (https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/)..) Certificates should be valid (usually less than 2 years old) and should be uploaded with their application.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process. The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the 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.