Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher – Wireless Mesh Networking for Medical Device Connectivity

Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher – Wireless Mesh Networking for Medical Device Connectivity

About Tyndall
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 ARC Hub for ICT
The ARC Hub for ICT is a new national translational research centre, hosted in TU Dublin, which focuses on regional innovation and entrepreneurial training in the area of ICT and AI. It aims to enhance and accelerate the commercialisation of ICT and AI research through the creation of new products, processes and services. In addition to driving regional and national development, the ARC Hub will develop a cohort of entrepreneurial scientists and engineers with the skills to realise commercial opportunities from research activities.

The ARC Hub in ICT is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Development 2021-2027.

About the Role
The Wireless Communications Laboratory at Tyndall National Institute is seeking an entrepreneurial and motivated Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher to join the PRISM project, funded through the ARC Hub for ICT programme. PRISM is developing a novel wireless mesh communication module for next-generation connected medical devices, targeting the $17.58 billion medical device connectivity market.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in both advancing the research agenda and driving commercialisation, either through licensing opportunities or by contributing to the creation of a spin-out company, in which they will hold a substantial equity stake. They will combine technical excellence with business acumen, working at the interface of research, innovation, and venture creation. The candidate should be committed to translating their findings into real-world impact.

You will lead the core technical implementation of a dual-radio asymmetric mesh architecture, channel switching algorithms, multi-path transport protocol development, and a global Layer-2 overlay. You will also conduct NS-3 network simulations and assemble a TRL-4 prototype using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a technology from early research through to commercial deployment in the healthcare sector.

Key Responsibilities
Technical

• Design and implement the dual-radio asymmetric mesh architecture with rapid channel switching across approximately 88 orthogonal channels in the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands.
• Develop cross-layer multi-path mesh transport protocols, including per-hop split-proxy transport and joint routing/multi-path scheduling.
• Implement a global virtual Layer-2 overlay using P2P NAT traversal for cross-network SDC communication.
• Build and execute high-fidelity NS-3 network simulations modelling realistic hospital environments, device densities, and traffic patterns.
• Assemble and validate a TRL-4 prototype using COTS dual-radio hardware, including porting software implementations and evaluating performance under realistic RF conditions.
• Validate Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) constraints for integration with medical devices such as smart infusion pumps.
• Produce technical documentation including System Design Specifications and evaluation reports.

Commercial & Stakeholder Engagement

• Evaluate market potential and define commercialisation strategies for research outputs.
• Help develop commercialisation pathways, including licensing agreements or spin-out opportunities.
• Identify, assess, and protect intellectual property arising from research.
• Collaborate with technology transfer offices, industry partners and investors to bring research outcomes to market.
• Assist with structured engagement with medical device manufacturers (including Becton Dickinson, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Siemens Healthineers, and B. Braun) to validate technical and commercial assumptions.
• Contribute to business-focused documentation including pitch decks, funding proposals, and the initial business plan.
• Play a key role in developing a potential spin-out, including early-stage team formation and fundraising.

Essential Criteria

• PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong research track record in one or more of: wireless mesh networking, multi-path transport protocols, cross-layer wireless system design, or software-defined networking.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and/or Python for systems-level network protocol development.
• Solid knowledge of computer networking fundamentals (TCP/UDP, routing protocols, congestion control, NAT traversal, VPN tunnelling).
• Solid knowledge of wireless communications and Wi-Fi (802.11) at the MAC and PHY layers, including channel management and interference mitigation.
• Experience with network simulation tools (e.g., NS-3, OMNeT++).
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of multidisciplinary teams.
• Self-motivated with proven ability to manage projects and deliver results to deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality technical publications and documentation.

Desirable Criteria

• Familiarity with mesh networking protocols (e.g., Babel, BATMAN, OLSR) or multi-path TCP (MPTCP).
• Experience with Linux-based systems programming (kernel modules, drivers, or user-space networking stacks).
• Experience with hardware-software co-design or embedded systems development.
• Interest in entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and/or commercialisation of research.
• Prior involvement in startup, spin-out, or entrepreneurial activities.
• Experience engaging with industry partners or external stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to adapt to academic, technical, and commercial audiences.

What We Offer

• 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.
• The opportunity to advance world-leading ICT research in medical device connectivity while shaping its commercial future.
• Access to mentoring, entrepreneurial training, and professional development through the ARC Hub for ICT programme.
• Training in entrepreneurship, IP management, and venture creation.
• Support from UCC’s technology transfer team and Tyndall’s commercialisation infrastructure.
• Collaboration with leading medical device manufacturers and access to real-world deployment environments.

Terms of Employment
Contract Category: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Contract Duration: 12 months

Appointment will be on the Senior Postdoctoral Researcher Salary Scale (€54,580 - €59,654 per annum) based on qualification and experience. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

For further information and informal enquiries, please contact Dr Kariem Fahmi  or Professor Holger Claussen.
Closing date for application is 1pm on 15th May 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.