PhD – Thermoelectric Cooling Solutions for Active Thermal Management of Photonic Integrated Circuits

PhD - Thermoelectric Cooling Solutions for Active Thermal Management of Photonic Integrated Circuits

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 MGICIAN Doctoral Network
MGICIAN is a Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network dedicated to developing sustainable magnesium-based thermoelectric materials and translating them into high-performance solid-state cooling technologies. The network brings together academic and industrial partners across Europe and trains 15 Doctoral Candidates (PhD students) in materials development, interface engineering, module fabrication, and system integration.

About the Role
The PhD student will focus on the design and implementation of thermoelectric cooling solutions for active thermal management of photonic integrated circuits within the MGICIAN Doctoral Network. The project will address precise temperature control requirements to ensure wavelength stability, signal integrity, and long-term reliability in chip-scale photonic platforms. Particular emphasis will be placed on compact cooling architectures, efficient heat extraction, and compatibility with integrated device structures. The project will combine thermal simulations, device-level modelling, and experimental validation to establish cooling-device-performance relationships and ensure scalable integration of magnesium-based thermoelectric modules into advanced optoelectronic systems.

Key Duties & Responsibilities
The PhD student will:

• Define thermal management requirements and performance targets for photonic integrated circuits
• Develop and apply numerical models for thermoelectric cooling of chip-scale devices
• Optimise thermoelectric module geometry and integration strategies for compact systems
• Support integration of thermoelectric coolers into photonic platforms
• Characterise cooling performance, temperature stability, and dynamic response of integrated systems
• Evaluate energy efficiency and reliability under realistic operating conditions
• Collaborate closely with photonic, module, and modelling-focused PhD students within the network
• Participate in secondments, network-wide scientific training, and transferable skills activities
• Disseminate research results through peer-reviewed publications, international conferences, and outreach initiatives
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required
• Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations
• To carry out any additional duties that may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post

The listed tasks are indicative and may evolve in accordance with project developments.

Secondments
To strengthen interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral training, the PhD student will undertake the following secondments:

• III-V Lab (France) - 2 months
• Focus: Integration of thermoelectric cooling into photonic platforms and industrial validation
• University of Southampton (UK) - 2 months
• Focus: Advanced thermal modelling and optimisation of chip-level cooling strategies
• IFW Dresden (Germany) - 3 months
• Focus: Performance optimisation of thermoelectric modules for compact integration

Essential Criteria
Education

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field

Technical Competences

• Strong background in photonic devices, thermal management, or thermoelectric systems
• Experience with numerical modelling tools (e.g., COMSOL, FEM, or similar software)
• Knowledge of semiconductor device physics or integrated photonics is advantageous
• Experience with experimental device characterisation is desirable
• Interest in compact cooling technologies and high-precision temperature control

Personal Skills

• Strong analytical and experimental problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and within an international interdisciplinary research network
• Excellent written and spoken English

MSCA Doctoral Candidate Eligibility Criteria

• Must not hold a PhD degree and qualify as an Early-Stage Researcher under MSCA-DN rules.
• Applicants must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Ireland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.

What We Offer

•  A generous tax-free scholarship stipend payment including tuition fees covered.
• 20 days per annum annual leave for full-time research students, in addition to public holidays.
• Full coverage of travel expenses to international conferences to present project outcomes.
• Training and development opportunities are also provided.
• Mardyke Sports Arena - Students – free when registered with UCC
• Free Park and Ride Service
• Also see here for more information

Terms of Employment
Salary according to the MSCA Doctoral Network regulations (including mobility allowance; family allowance if applicable)

Contract: Full-time/ Fixed Term employment contract for up to 36 months

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr. Kafil M. Razeeb
The closing date for applications for this position is 30 April 2026.

Reference Code: MGICIAN-UCC-DC14

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.

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.

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.  Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.  Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.