Senior Postdoctoral Researcher position in advanced opto-electronic methane sensors based on heterogeneously integrated devices

Job Description

Rinn Semiconductors is part of a constellation of seven major new centres funded by Research Ireland, 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.

It is within this context that we are recruiting a senior postdoc for the position in advanced opto-electronic methane sensors based on heterogeneously integrated devices, primarily based at Tyndall National Institute, Cork, and working in collaboration with researchers at University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Munster Technology University and industrial partners.

The successful candidate will join the Photonic Systems Group at Tyndall, who are leading researchers in optical fibre communications and networks, short-wave infrared environmental sensing and in distributed acoustic sensing.

About the Role

The senior postdoctoral role will be aligned with RINN Semiconductor's Sustainable Energy and the Environment theme, and, in particularly, working and overseeing the work in RINN Semiconductors on gas sensing technologies requiring heterogeneous integration, including own research, building and managing the sensing testbed, in addition to assist in supervising postgraduate students and undergraduate projects. It is expected that the successful candidate will also support and assist in continue collaborations with industry and through EU projects.

The successful applicant will:

• Join a world-class and highly diverse community of more than 100 PhD students, more than a 100 Postdoctoral Researchers and around 35 experienced PIs and Research Fellows.
• Engage with over 30 industry partners to learn about their work and future career opportunities
• Become an in-house entrepreneur and explore the opportunity to commercialise your research through a Spin-Out company
• Follow in the footsteps of our current trainees where over 86% of PhDs have transitioned into industry with some of the world's leading semiconductor companies, in Ireland and the EU.
• If you aspire to be a future PI and academic research leader our programme will support you to build your research track record and vision, equipping you to take the next steps on your career journey.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• To conduct and lead a specified programme of research under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator / Team Leader.
• To secure competitive research funding for research proposals.
• To engage in appropriate professional development opportunities as required by the Principal Investigator.
• To support the Principal Investigator and the research group in the design, development and execution of the research programme.
• To assist and conduct, where appropriate, the administrative and management work associated with the research project.
• To collaborate with the wider team of researchers within the research programme.
• To assist in the supervision of research students and junior postdocs, potentially across multiple institutions, and also undergraduate projects.
• To engage in innovation, commercialisation and entrepreneurship opportunities, including target collaborative projects with industry.
• To engage and participate in EU collaborative projects.
• To participate in Education and Public Engagement activities.
• To 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 Physics or Electrical and Electronic Engineering, where work was focused on optical frequency combs, photonics subsystems and sensing, with over 3 years of experience post-PhD.
• Significant experimental and simulations experience in optical frequency combs, including opto-electronic combs and Kerr combs, from fundamental physics simulations and design to experimental implementation and testing.
• Published track record on frequency combs and their applications, also demonstrating collaborative and interdisciplinary activities.
• Co-supervision experience of undergraduate projects, such as final year projects.
• Ability to work in a team and as an independent researcher.
• Experience in writing and managing successful research project(s).

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working experimentally with SWIR, extending from 1.5µm to 2.1µm, including.
• Experience in photonic-chip characterisation and applications testbed development.
• Successfully awarded with funded postgraduate or postdoctoral research projects, such as IRC, Marie Curie etc.
• Computing skills, such as Python, Matlab, Lumerical, and Microsoft Tools.

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:

• Impactful Work: Opportunities to contribute to ground-breaking research and innovation that shape Ireland's economy and the society at large, as part of a national research centre.
• 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 for 18 months, renewable depending on funding and acceptable performance.

Appointment may be made on the Senior Postdoctoral Researcher scale (new entrants) salary €55,399 - €60,250 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Fatima Gunning.