PhD in Implantable Sensor Interface Integrated Circuit Design

DOH-13 PhD in Implantable Sensor Interface Integrated Circuit Design

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 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. Among the applications are monitoring cancer tumours and neural signals in the brain. 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. The main power consumer in wireless implantable systems is the communication link to transmit the sensor data. In this work low power, low area custom integrated circuits will designed to capture the sensor data and convert to digital with an Analogue to Digital converter (ADC). After the ADC data reduction and compression will be implemented to minimise the amount of data to be transmitted. These highly efficient ULTRA LOW POWER circuits will allow the implant systems to use less power and work for longer durations than ever before that will help improving patient and treatment outcomes.

The Role

The successful candidate with be based at MCCI in Tyndall National Institute, Cork. They will model, architect, design and test ultra-low power medical implantable circuits.

What’s on offer

You will have the opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary 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 very young, dynamic, vibrant and self-driven work environment that focuses on high impact research results which are strongly aligned to Industry partners.
Great career development and advancement that is highly visible 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.
Attend training courses and workshops, use the latest industry CAD design tools
Opportunity to publish in leading IEEE journals.
Excellent working conditions including 23 Days of annual leave

Key Responsibilities

Engage with the multi-disciplinary team to understand the sensor signals and the application.
Propose innovative sensor interface circuits to meet the requirements,
With guidance, implement the solution on an integrated circuit. This involves system level simulation, algorithm development, schematic design, layout and validation of manufactured silicon.
Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research, as directed by and with the support of senior MCCI research staff.

Essential Criteria

The minimum academic qualification is a first or upper second class honours degree (or an equivalent international degree) in electrical engineering, electronic engineering, physics or related relevant discipline.
The successful candidate will be highly analytical with good interpersonal and organisational skills.
Experience in the area of Analogue, Mixed-Signal or RF circuit design.

Desirable Criteria

Master’s degree in in electrical engineering, electronic engineering, physics or related relevant discipline.
Experience of digital design and verification using Verilog or VHDL.
Experience designing CMOS integrated circuits
Good mathematical ability and knowledge of statistics.
Previous use of mathematical modelling tools such as MATLAB or Python.
Experience of lab measurements
Knowledge of integrated circuit design tools such as Cadence/Mentor.

An annual student stipend of €19,000 applies for this successful candidate for this position. Yearly University academic fees will paid by the Tyndall National Institute.

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 the Job Reference DOH-13

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.

Postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency as per UCC regulations (https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/). Certificates should be valid (usually less than 2 years old) and should be uploaded with their application. In special circumstances the panel may consider a prior degree in English (e.g. Master thesis written in English) as evidence of English language proficiency.

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.