Research Assistant in Mixed Signal Power Management Integrated Circuits (m/w/d)

Job Description

Tyndall National Institute (www.tyndall.ie) 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

MCCI is Ireland's national Microelectronics Circuits Research Centre. MCCI has a team of over 90 researchers and engineers hosted across Tyndall National Institute, UL and UCD, collaborating on more than 50 research projects. Funded by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, its focus is to generate innovative technologies. Specifically, MCCI's mission is to carry out industry-led, world-class Analog, Mixed-Signal, RF and Power Management integrated circuit research and deliver high impact research, IP and trained people to industry.

MCCI's Power Research Theme is focused on creating advanced technology, integrated power systems, with a emphasis on power converter implementation in CMOS and FD-SOI technologies, employing both on-chip (PwrSoC) and in-package (PwrSiP) packaging approaches. These systems exploit the capabilities of next-generation commercial components, such as 20-100 MHz thin-film cobalt-based magnetic materials. Alternatively, the systems are based on the technologies and expertise being created by Tyndall's co-located research groups, in areas such as III-V devices, solid-state electrochemical storage cells/sensors, or micro-power energy harvesting transducers spanning thermoelectric, UV PV, MEMS piezo, or electromagnetic domains. Gate-driver technologies for higher-power systems employing Si DMOS, GaN, or SiC power switching bridges are also a research theme.

MCCI wishes to offer a twelve-month fixed-term research assistant role in the area of mixed-signal system implementation on CMOS and/or FD-SOI, for integration with our PMIC platforms.

About the Role

The role involves modelling, design, simulation, and testing of mixed-signal Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMICs) and internal building blocks to maximize energy transduction from a wide power range, spanning from ??W-level ambient energy harvesters-such as photovoltaic (PV), thermoelectric generators (TEG), and piezoelectric vibrational sources-to multi-watt point-of-load (PoL) integrated voltage regulators (iVRs). The harvested and converted energy is delivered to both energy storage devices and regulated system supply voltages.

The systems will be developed for Tyndall's ultra-low-power buck-boost power conversion IC platform. The IC will act as the central controller for technology showcase designs, such as highly integrated energy-source-in-package (eSiP) solutions. These designs will form the basis for next-generation energy-harvesting or ultra-long-life battery-powered smart sensor nodes, suitable for IoT and body-wearable applications.

Multi-disciplinary and multi-domain models for the various harvester types will be created in Matlab/Simulink. Linear Time Invariant (LTI) controllers will be developed to implement voltage, current, power, and energy control loops for the above harvester types around averaged models for the switch mode converter feeding into both super-capacitor and battery storage devices. Analog and digital blocks will be implemented using analog or digital flows (Verilog RTL) on 130 nm CMOS IC and 22nm FD-SOI .

The role will suit a Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuit designer who enjoys multi-disciplinary theoretical analysis and will contribute to the group's research publications.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Schematic design and layout of CMOS and FD-SOI PMIC building blocks including PLL based systems.
• Modelling, design, and simulation of mixed-signal control systems to maximise energy transduction from a range of ??W-level ambient energy harvester types including PV, TEG, and Piezo Vibrational, into both energy storage devices (supercapacitors and rechargeable cells) and into regulated system voltages-to multi-watt point-of-load (PoL) integrated voltage regulators (iVRs).
• Design of analog and/or digital controllers (Z transform and discrete time domains) to implement voltage, current, power and energy control loops for the above harvester types around averaged models for the switch mode converter.
• Synthesise designed controllers as digital circuit blocks (to transistor level) on CMOS (Timing, Place and Route).
• Design of electronic hardware test schematics and PCB prototypes to prove devised controller blocks with FPGA based hardware.
• Assist with integrated power system prototype characterisation and the dissemination of results, as directed by and with the support of a Senior Researcher or Principal Investigator through to tier one conference technical paper publication.
• Engage in appropriate training courses, as required.
• Participate and support in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
• Ensure compliance with and support of the Tyndall's Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations.
• Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

• Master's Degree in Electronics Engineering or related discipline with experience or training modules completed in Analog, Mixed-Signal or RF CMOS integrated circuit design.
• Evidence of successful execution of analog circuit design from specification through schematic design, layout, DRC (design rule check) and PEX (parasitic extraction) validation.
• Evidence of ability to work independently on the schematic design and layout of challenging mixed signal circuit blocks.
• Self-starter and highly motivated with good planning, organizational, and oral/written communication skills contributing in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• A strong desire to progress a career in research and technology development in the area of PMIC design, to the level of publishing at tier-1 conferences.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of successful digital block design for implementation in CMOS, FD-SOI, and/or FPGA from RTL-Verilog through to validated synthesized digital circuits.
• Experience of mixed signal system level modelling in Matlab-Simulink.
• Experience of PLL/DLL design.
• Good understanding of switch mode power circuit operation.
• Publishing or Patenting track record

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.

Terms of Employment

Contract Category: Full-Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term

Appointment may be made on the UCC Research Scale at Research Assistant grade point 1 with salary scale ???33,291 to ???43,372 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Hugo Cruz.

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.