Postdoctoraal onderzoeker - geïntegreerde magnetische fabricage

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

Tyndall's Integrated Power & Energy Systems (IPES) research programme participates in the European Chips JU FAMES Pilot Line, which is co-funded by the European Commission and Irish national funding agencies under the targeted initiative of the EU Chips Act. The FAMES Pilot Line represents a major European cross-border collaboration. The consortium is led by CEA-Leti and includes four hosting sites - CEA-Leti, Tyndall, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, and Silicon Austria Labs - along with several other research and technology organisations across Europe.

With the objective of transferring advanced technologies to the EU semiconductor industry, the FAMES Pilot Line will develop two generations of FD-SOI technology at the 10 nm and 7 nm nodes to address the growing demand for FD-SOI platforms. This platform will incorporate integrated non-volatile memory, radio-frequency components, 3D integration options, and Power Management ICs (PMICs), together with Tyndall's flagship integrated magnetics components and deep-trench capacitor interposer from CEA-Leti. Within the FAMES project, Tyndall will deliver high-frequency PMICs and integrated magnetic devices and will demonstrate enhanced power management by combining its PMICs, on-silicon thin-film magnetics, and micro-transfer printing technologies with CEA-Leti's power management ICs and high-density silicon capacitors.

About the Role

The successful candidate will be a key member of Tyndall's MEMS Group under IPES research programme, leading research on microfabrication, process integration, and heterogeneous integration of integrated magnetic devices for next-generation power management. The candidate may also be engaged in wafer-level characterization of the fabricated devices to capture their performance prior to integration and packaging. They shall also prepare and submit progress reports and project documents to the Project Manager throughout the project. In addition, the candidate will have the opportunity to produce high-quality research articles for International Conferences and Journals.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Microfabrication process design, development and optimization of Integrated Magnetics Devices - on-silicon inductors and transformers
• Process optimization for Magnetic material deposition
• Develop and optimize microfabrication processes for interconnection of these micro devices towards packaging / micro assembly / Heterogeneous integration.
• Generation of intellectual property (IP) and the preparation of high-quality research publications.
• Showcasing research outcomes in reputed international conferences
• Presenting updates to all stakeholders (verbal and written reports)
• Engage with PhD/Masters students in a support role
• Engage in appropriate professional training and development and professional development opportunities as required to develop research skills and competencies
• 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 a relevant Science or Engineering discipline, specializing in Microfabrication process development and optimization.
• Excellent research track record with a minimum of two international peer-reviewed publications.
• At least two years of hands-on cleanroom experience in microfabrication and process development.
• Hands-on experience in any two of the following microfabrication process steps, namely - Lithography and Pattern Transfer, Sputtering, CVD, Wet etch, Dry Etch and Electroplating processes
• Expertise in electronic or MEMS device characterization in one or more of the following areas: electrical, material, or structural analysis.
• Experience working with thin film-based materials and devices.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills in English, including experience in writing peer-reviewed papers.

Desirable Criteria

• Hands-on experience on in-line or end-of-the-line process metrology using SEM, AFM, FIB, XRD, Network Analyzer, Probe station, etc.
• Hands-on experience on process optimization methodologies - DoE, FMEA, RCA, Run-to-Run control etc.
• Hand-on experience in micro-assembly or packaging of micro-devices
• Knowledge on Process Integration
• Experience in project planning and management

What We Offer

We offer progressive employment and training policies including opportunities for further studies. At Tyndall we value Ambition, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence and Integrity. You will be supported throughout to grow your skill-set and learn how to adapt in new challenges to develop your career.

• 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.

Terms of Employment

Contract Category: Full-Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Contract Duration: 18 Months

Appointment may be made on the UCC Post-Doctorate scale salary ???46,805 - ???53,391 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Sambuddha Khan