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Leader in Integrated ICT Hardware & Systems

Senior Research Engineer in Integrated circuit design for Inductive Power Transfer and Communications for Implantable Sensors

DOH-23b Senior Research Engineer in Integrated circuit design for Inductive Power Transfer and Communications 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 developing sensors to monitor cancer tumours. Providing wireless energy to power these sensors is a key research 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 a medical Institute, the objective is to inductively transfer power to the implant and to use the same link for communications.

The Role

The successful candidate with be based at MCCI in Tyndall National Institute, Cork. The work involved will entail, system and integrated circuit design of an inductive power transmitter and associated communication links. An inductive power transfer solution will be designed to transmit power to the implantable device. Lab testing and characterising of the prototypes developed in the work will be required.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design driver circuits and specify magnetics for wireless power transmission.
  • Design prototype PCB circuits and final CMOS integrated circuit solutions.
  • Perform modelling and analysis on the limitations of existing solutions and provide assistance and support in the development of system level solutions.
  • Work with, and lead on occasion, a multi-disciplinary team focussed on wireless power and communications for biomedical applications.
  • Work on collaborative research projects with MCCI industry partners.
  • 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.
  • The successful candidate will be highly innovative with a strong desire to create world-beating integrated circuits research for real-life applications.
  • Participate in education and public engagement activities, as required.
  • Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management system.
  • Ensure all activities are compliant with the required Health and Safety standards.
  • Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

  • Bachelor’s Degree (honours) in Electronics Engineering/ Master’s Degree in Electronics Engineering or related discipline with typically 5 years’ experience in wireless power systems or integrated circuit design.
  • Strong knowledge of electro-magnetic (EM) design of RF or inductive components using industry standard CAD tools such as HFSS, Agilent ADS, Spectre RF, Maxwell etc.
  • Knowledge of CMOS integrated circuits and IC CAD design tools
  • Experience of carrying out or directing the Layout of CMOS Integrated circuits
  • Experience of antenna, RF or Integrated Circuit lab measurements
  • Evidence of successful execution of Analog, Mixed-Signal or RF circuits at block level through to tapeout and silicon characterisation.

Desirable Criteria

  • PhD in Microelectronics or Physics or a related topic.
  • Knowledge of Transmitter and receiver circuits for wireless power transfer.
  • Knowledge of low power wireless communications systems, RFID, Bluetooth etc.
  • PCB design experience.
  • Knowledge of human body EM effects.
  • Experience in mixed signal circuit layout
  • Strong Publication track record
  • Ability to supervise and direct junior researchers.

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

Tyndall National institute has a proactive entrepreneurial culture and we welcome applications from candidates who possess entrepreneurial and creative skills/experience, including the creation of technology start-ups.

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 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.
  • 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 30 Days of annual leave, Christmas leave and public holidays.

 

Appointment will be made on the Senior Researcher II/Admin II (6A) scale €67,046 - € 84,927 per annum. 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

Closing date of application is 8th May, 2024

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.

Click here to Apply

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