Principal Scientist - Sustainable Integrated Nano Materials

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 Micro & Nano Systems Centre at Tyndall brings together 190 researchers, postgraduate students and professional services staff, focused on collaborative, interdisciplinary research and innovation in emerging materials, devices, circuits and systems. Within MNS, the Nanotechnology (NTG) group focuses on nanomaterials development and materials integration into components and devices for smart sensing, energy storage and energy harvesting. We collaborate with MNS colleagues in the Human-Centric Systems (HCS), Bioelectronics and Sustainable Agri/Food & Environment (SAFE) clusters and with groups across Tyndall, Ireland and internationally in developing smart, batteryless or low-power sensor devices and systems for Sustainable Internet of Things applications.

Recent developments include low environmental footprint laser writing and printing technologies targeting development of sustainable sensors and energy storage components sensors for broad deployment and/or short usage lifetimes, e.g., wearable sensing and intelligent packaging.

About the Role

The role offers a superb opportunity for you as a research leader to realise your research vision and advance your career as part of a world-class, multi-disciplinary, collaborative research ecosystem with cutting-edge facilities. Reporting to the Head of the Nanotechnology Group, you will develop a strategic research vision for integrated nanomaterials for sustainable sensing and micropower components to align with and build out MNS- and Tyndall-level collaborative research and innovation in sustainable integrated sensors and systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a strategic research roadmap to align your team's integrated nanomaterials vision for sensing and micro-energy devices with key cluster- and Tyndall-level roadmaps, to address global research and innovation priorities.
• Deliver high-quality research outputs and innovation opportunities by fostering collaborations with MNS and Tyndall research groups; and building national/international collaboration networks with research and industry partners.
• Develop a viable funding pipeline from national and international funding sources to support the sustainable growth of your team.
• Grow the integrated nanomaterials research team by attracting, retaining and developing high-calibre talent including post-graduate students and research staff at all levels;
• Support a team culture that results in high-quality postgraduate training and supervision; where professional / personal / career development is a priority; providing leadership, management, coaching, and mentoring as required.
• Lead the specification and competitive acquisition of key research infrastructure for functional materials integration at Tyndall.
• Contribute to Tyndall-level organisational leadership activities.
• Promote Education and Public Engagement (EPE) activities in coordination with MNS and Tyndall programmes.
• Ensure compliance with Tyndall's Health and Safety standards and with Tyndall's Quality Management System with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

• A PhD degree or equivalent research expertise in a relevant technical discipline with typically 8+ years post-PhD experience in delivering high quality research outputs.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking with strong personal vision and motivation and excellent negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills.
• An excellent and growing international research profile as evidenced by invited talks and publications, awards or prizes, patents or other outputs relating to sustainable nano- and micro-scale materials and a deep knowledge of emerging additive or low-footprint fabrication techniques and sustainable electronics.
• Demonstrated leadership of successful funding applications for substantial research projects funded by national and international agencies and/or industry.
• A proven or growing track record of supervising, inspiring and mentoring early career staff or postgraduates to develop talented potential research leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively taking a leadership role.

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of entrepreneurial experience and creative skills/creativity
• Demonstrated track record in building and growing international networks.
• A growing track record and/or evidence of commitment to innovation and commercialisation of IP, for example by successful technology transfer to industry and/or track record in attracting industry support.

What We Offer

Apart from offering a position in a 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.

Terms of Employment

Contract Category: Full-Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Appointment may be made on the Admin I Grade-7 Scale (B) € 84,422 - €111,211 per annum. Salary placement point on appointment will be in accordance public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Aidan Quinn
Closing date of applications is 1pm, 17th December 2025.

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.

A full candidate information pack is available to download by clicking here.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
At this time, Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.
Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer