Postdoctoral Researcher in the Growth and Characterisation of III-N Lasers

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 successful applicant will work within the recently funded Rinn Semiconductors Centre, funded by Research Ireland.

Rinn Semiconductors is part of a constellation of seven major new centres 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.

The successful applicant will work in the Heterogeneous Integration Theme (HET), in a collaboration between the materials growth group, led by Professor Peter Parbrook and the III-Nitride Devices team led by Dr Zhi Li, linking in also to the broader III-V devices group of Brian Corbett. This is an excellent opportunity to develop a broad based skills set across the materials and devices area.

About the Role

The successful candidate will be expected to lead the materials development elements to create III-N laser devices within the HET Theme, with a particular focus on device designs that allow ease of integration into larger scale systems. Samples will be grown by Metalorganic Vapour Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE) using the on-site facility within the Institute, and characterized using optical, electrical and structural tools, including photoluminescence, C-V and Hall measurements, X-ray diffraction, Atomic Force Microscopy, and Scanning Electron microscopy. He/she will also be expected to lead in the development of the device design, using commercial software tools, as appropriate. They will engage strongly with PhD students in the programme and support the leadership of this activity with the Rinn Centre.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Assist in the design of III-N laser diode devices using commercial software tools
• Explore device designs options to allow ease of integration of high-quality laser diode chips into heterogeneously integrated circuits and sub-systems.
• Use the MOVPE tool to prepare laser diode device structures, and relevant calibration layers.
• Assist in the maintenance of the MOVPE tool in conjunction with others
• Characterise the structural properties of the material and device structures using X-ray diffraction and microscopy techniques.
• Characterise the opto-electronic properties of the material and devices structures using photoluminescence, C-V and Hall techniques.
• Engage with other staff and students to assist with laser device fabrication.
• Provide supervisory support for PhD students, and optionally supervisor taught student projects as part of their career development.
• Engage positively with team members within the Parbrook, Li, Corbett research groups and with colleagues across the Rinn Semiconductors centre.
• 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 Physics, Engineering, Materials Sciend or cognate area
• Research expertise in Semiconductor materials growth, characterization and/or device test
• Knowledge of the design and principles of operation of a semiconductor laser.
• Experience in operating complex experimental, specialist scientific equipment safely
• Track record of publication in leading peer reviewed journals and/or international conferences.
• Track record of working proactively/collaboratively within a research team

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in semiconductor epitaxy, ideally by MOVPE and/or of III-Nitride semiconductor materials.
• Strong written and presentations skills.
• Experience in the fabrication/or test of semiconductor optoelectronic devices.
• Evidence of engagement with students and with EPE activities.
• Evidence of entrepreneurial experience and creative skills/creativity

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.
• 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.

Terns of Employment

Contract Category: Full-Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Contract Duration: Approximately 2 years

Appointment may be made on the UCC Postdoctoral Researcher Scale (Salary €47,273 - €53,925 per annum). Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Professor Peter Parbrook
Closing date for applications for this position is 1pm, 31st August 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.

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.