Post doctoral Researcher in Wireless Power Transfer for Implantable Sensors

DOH-11 Post doctoral Researcher in Wireless Power Transfer for Implantable Sensors

Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term

Microelectronic Circuits Centre Ireland (MCCI) is an EI / IDA technology centre hosted at Tyndall National Institute.  Its mission is to carry out industry-led world-class Analog, Mixed-Signal and RF integrated circuit research and to deliver trained people and IP to industry.  MCCI is already collaborating with 35 companies and many of the staff eventually transfer into the thriving microelectronics industry in Ireland.  MCCI targets real-life applications with its research and currently has projects in diverse topics such as DNA detection for food safety, next generation optical communications, bio-sensing, imaging for security applications and early cancer detection. Please visit www.mcci.ie for more information.

The project

Advanced medical diagnosis and treatment monitoring require miniature sensor systems that can be implanted in the body. In this project we are looking at sensors to monitor cancer tumours. Providing powering for these sensors is a challenge. While the size of batteries is reducing with new technologies such as solid state batteries they remain either too large or have only a limited capacity constraining the operating lifetime of the sensor. In this collaborative project with BCON medical and the NKI/ The Netherlands Cancer Institute, the objective is to wirelessly transfer power to the implant and then convert the power to suitable voltages to power the sensor circuits.

The Role

The successful candidate with be based at MCCI in Tyndall National Institute, Cork. The work involved will entail, system or signal chain level investigation work developing sets of experiments to execute to enable electromagnetic modelling and estimation of the amount of power transferable to the deep body implant. Magnetic coils will be designed to transmit and receive the signal power to the sensor in the implantable device. Lead/Direct lab testing and characterising of the prototypes developed in the work.

What’s on offer

You will have the  opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary research team consisting of clinicians, medical systems architects, integrated circuit designers, magnetics and power systems experts, as well as:

• Work as a highly valuable research team member in a world-class technology centre that has a young, dynamic, vibrant and self-driven work environment that focuses on high impact research results that are strongly aligned to our Medtech industry partners.
• Great career development and advancement that is highly visable to the semiconductor industry through direct contact or IEEE publications.
• Collaborate with Medical Device industry on advanced implantable sensors.
• Opportunity to attend and publish work at leading conferences such as IEEE Solid-State Circuits conferences and IEEE BioCAS conference.
• Opportunity to publish in leading IEEE journals.
• Attend training courses and workshops, use the latest industry CAD design tools.
• Achieve wireless powering of implants at longer distances with higher power density per sensor area beyond state of the art.
• Competitive salary and conditions including 23 Days of annual leave, Christmas leave and public holidays.

Key Responsibilities

• Design embedded magnetic components for power transmission and reception.
• Perform modelling and analysis on the limitations of existing solutions.
• Participate on research projects under the direction of a project team leader to design and develop wireless power transfer systems.
• Assist and support in the development of system level solutions.
• Work on collaborative research projects with MCCI industry partners (e.g. BCON medical and NKI/ The Netherlands Cancer Institute).
• Assist in the mentoring and support of junior researchers.
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research, as directed by and with the support of senior MCCI research staff.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
• Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management system and required Health & Safety standards.
• Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

• PhD in Microelectronics or Physics or a related topic.
• Strong knowledge magnetics design using industry standard CAD tools such as HFSS. ADS, Maxwell etc.
• Knowledge of CMOS integrated circuits and of IC CAD design tools.
• The successful candidate will be highly innovative with a strong desire to create world-beating integrated circuits research for real-life applications.
• The successful candidate will be highly analytical with good interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Experience of lab measurements.
• Knowledge of mathematical modelling tools such as MATLAB.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience designing CMOS/Bipolar/BiCMOS integrated circuits.
• Good mathematical ability and knowledge of statistics.
• Knowledge of Power converter circuits would be an advantage.
• PCB design experience.
• Strong Publication track record.

The successful candidate will be highly innovative with a strong desire to create world-beating integrated circuits research for real-life applications.

Appointment may be made on the IUA Scale for Post-Doctoral Researchers € 42,781 - € 49,177  per annum or Senior Post-Doctoral Researchers €50,540- €54,966 pa.  Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

Any queries relating to this position can be forwarded to Dr. Daniel O' Hare on email daniel.ohare@mcci.ie

Application Instructions

Step 1 - Click here to download and complete the application form and indicate Job Reference DOH-11.

Step 2 - Return the completed application form, together with your CV and motivation letter to careers@tyndall.ie. 

Please ensure that your motivation letter, cv and application letter are submitted in pdf format.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the 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