DOH-8 PhD in CMOS image sensor design for surgical guidance and diagnostics

Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term

In the past 20 years mobile phone cameras have transformed how we record our lives. The demand for higher resolution in mobile phone cameras has made CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) the fastest growing segment of the semiconductor market. It has also brought about a dramatic reduction in CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) pixel sizes. This project will utilise the huge advances in CIS to build micro-cameras that can be used in surgical stent operations. Stents have been used to treat coronary artery disease for more than a decade. It is now common practice to surgically implant a stent to hold a coronary artery open in order to maintain blood flow after an angioplasty procedure. More than 2 million people get a stent each year. Presently surgeons are unable to see what type of plaque causes artery blockages. Applying a micro-camera to the guidewires used to insert the stent would help make stent operations safer and cheaper.

This project addresses a major component of a Bio-medical imaging project carried out in collaboration between MCCI (Microelectronic Circuits Centre Ireland), IPIC (Irish Photonic Integration Centre) and the Bio-Photonics team within Tyndall National Institute. The PhD will work with other circuit designers to design a sub 1mm^2 CMOS image sensor. Pixel readout circuits will be designed using component circuits like Analogue to Digital converters (ADCs), Reference Buffers and Low Dropout Voltage Regulators. All of these designs will be low power and low area. Once the design is complete and manufactured the next task will to be characterise the imager performance. The measured results will be submitted to conferences.

The project supervisor will be Dr. Daniel O’Hare, a Senior Researcher within the microelectronics group in Tyndall National institute https://www.ipic.ie/people/daniel-ohare/.

Responsibilities

• The candidate is expected to be creative, self-motivated, and should help create an efficient and friendly atmosphere within the MCCI and Biophotonics teams and beyond to all teams at IPIC and Tyndall.
• Propose innovative circuits to meet the requirements of the medical device camera project.
• 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 with the bio-photonics multi-disciplinary team to understand the application.
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research, as directed by and with the support of senior Biophotonics/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.
• Knowledge of integrated circuit design tools such as Cadence.

Desirable Criteria

• Master’s degree in in electrical engineering, electronic engineering, physics or related relevant discipline.
• Good mathematical ability and knowledge of statistics.
• Knowledge of Cameras or Photonics.
• Knowledge of noise in circuits
• Previous use of mathematical modelling tools such as MATLAB or Python.

An annual student stipend of €18,500 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 by email to daniel.ohare@mcci.ie

Application Instructions

Step 1 - Click here to download and complete the Application form and indicate the Job Reference DOH-8

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

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.

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.

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.