PhD Laser Induced Graphene (LIG) circular e-textiles

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

Within the Micro & Nano Systems (MNS) Centre at Tyndall, one of our core strengths is development and integration of materials, devices and systems for smart sensing. The Nanotechnology (NTG) group has expertise in materials development at nano- and micro-scale and their integration into sustainable sensing platforms for health and environmental applications. One of our core expertise is the Direct Laser Writing of low cost and scalable sensors and energy components from flexible (bio)polymers.

About the Role

As part of the EU-funded Transformational e-Textiles: Materials And Processes For Stretchable, Durable And Sustainable Wearable Electronics (e-FLOWER) project, the Nanotechnology (NTG) group at Tyndall is offering a Ph.D. studentship on development of biodegradable material formulations and laser writing fabrication processes for the develop biodegradable material formulations and laser writing fabrication processes for the realisation of 3D, porous and conductive Laser Induced Graphene (LIG) materials and fabrication of e-textile components (sensors and energy storage) suitable for land, water and space environments . This project builds on our core strengths in Direct Laser Writing (DLW) fabrication of LIG electrodes and fabrication of wearable electrochemical sensors.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

As the successful candidate, you will:

• Design, develop and characterise biodegradable material formulations, including flexible and/or transparent features, sourced from natural materials and suitable for fabrication of porous electrodes by direct laser writing.
• Develop methodologies for the universal fabrication of LIG on biopolymers leading to fabrication of electrode materials suitable for electrochemical sensing
• Integrate fabricated electrodes with green sensing active layers for detection of biomarkers in textiles
• Collaborate and support colleagues within other department across Tyndall, and with e-FLOWER partners to develop novel integrated sensing e-textile platforms with low environmental footprints.
• 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

• Academic background: Honours undergraduate degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering.
• Research experience: prior experience in (nanoscale) materials synthesis and/or fabrication. Characterisation of materials and devices (e.g. electrochemical sensors and supercapacitors). Experience in Direct Laser Writing and Laser Induced Graphene (LIG) materials highly desirable.

Desirable Criteria

• Good laboratory and problem-solving skills.
• High levels of initiative, project management, self-management, achievement-orientation, and motivation are encouraged.
• Expertise in electrochemistry, electrical/electrochemical sensing, nanomaterial fabrication.

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 Studentship

The annual stipend is ???25,00.00 for 4 years. In addition, annual tuition fees will be paid by the Tyndall National Institute. Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Daniela Iacopino. The closing date for applications for this position is 1pm,.11th May 2026.

Application Instructions

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