Post-Doctoral Researcher in Optical Design and Advanced Packaging

Post-Doctoral Researcher in Optical Design and Advanced Packaging
(Rinn Semiconductor – Ireland’s Centre for Semiconductor Innovation – PACK Theme)
 

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 Rinn Semiconductor 
Rinn Semiconductors is part of a constellation of seven major new centres which collectively represent an investment of €460M in advanced research by the Government of Ireland. Rinn Semiconductors aims to lead Ireland’s response to the end of Moore’s Law scaling, the point where traditional improvements in computer chips slows down or ends, by pioneering modular integrated circuit-based (chiplet-based) semiconductor design and integration. With deep expertise in the areas of Heterogeneous Integration and Advanced Packaging, the Rinn Semiconductors team propose to enable transformative advances in these technologies and to apply them in three main application areas: Future Internet, Sustainable Energy and Environment, and Digital Healthcare. A key objective of the Rinn is to foster deep collaboration across the seven universities and institutions involved, by leveraging the semiconductor fabrication facilities at Tyndall, ultimately creating a cohesive “atom to systems” value chain in Ireland, connecting everything from basic materials research through to complete technology solutions. The Rinn will operate in close collaboration with Ireland’s vibrant semiconductor industry sector which supports 20,000 high skilled jobs and includes world leading multinational companies, small and medium sized enterprises and start-ups. 

Role Description
The Photonics Packaging and Systems Integration Groupat Tyndall National Institute is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to a range of EU and industry-funded projects in advanced electronic and photonic packaging.

The role will focus on the design, modelling, simulation, and experimental validation of optical devices, components, and systems that support next-generation packaging technologies. Working closely with researchers and engineers across the group, the successful candidate will contribute to the development of advanced packaging solutions for applications including communications, AI, sensing, quantum technologies, and other emerging fields.

The successful candidate will contribute to optical design activities while supporting the development of new packaging processes and technologies through laboratory-based research. The role offers the opportunity to work across optical design, modelling, process development, and experimental validation, contributing to the translation of concepts into integrated demonstrators and scalable packaging solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, model, and simulate optical devices, components, and systems for advanced packaging applications.
• Develop and validate new optical design methodologies and assist in the optimisation of advanced packaging processes through experimental research.
• Work closely with packaging researchers and engineers to translate design concepts into experimentally validated prototypes and demonstrators.
• Contribute to the development, characterisation, and optimisation of advanced packaging technologies using laboratory-based research.
• Contribute to academic and industry-funded research projects.
• Prepare technical reports, publications, and project presentations.
• Contribute to research proposal development where appropriate.
• Participate in education and public engagement activities, as required.
• Ensure compliance with the Tyndall Quality Management System and Health and Safety standards.
• Carry out other duties within the scope and level of the post as required.

Essential Criteria

• PhD in Photonics, Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience in the design and simulation of optical or photonic devices, components, or systems.
• Experience using commercial or research software for optical, electromagnetic, or multiphysics simulation.
• Experience in experimental research, including laboratory validation of engineering or scientific concepts.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering or research projects.
• Strong communication and technical report-writing skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in advanced photonic or electronic packaging technologies.
• Experience with integrated photonics, optical interconnects, glass waveguides, or micro-optics.
• Experience with optical alignment, characterisation, or free-space optical systems.
• Experience contributing to academic or industrial research projects.
• Experience presenting research at technical conferences or workshops.

What We Offer

Apart from offering a position in a very successful and positive research environment, with a collaborative ethos full of diverse competencies to boost your career, we offer the following:
 

• Impactful Work: Opportunities to contribute to ground-breaking research and innovation that shape Ireland’s economy and the society at large.
• Continuous Learning: Strong support for formal training, further study and professional development.
• Interdisciplinary Environment: Where academia, industry, and innovation intersect - supported by cutting-edge infrastructure and expert knowledge.
• Blended Working: Flexibility to work remotely and on-site, where the role allows.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Access to UCC pension, long-term illness benefit, life assurance, and more.
• Generous Leave: Competitive annual leave entitlements.
• Equity & Inclusion: Athena Swan Bronze award holder, with ongoing initiatives led by a dedicated People and Culture team to ensure equity for all.
• Core Values: A culture grounded in Ambition, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: A proactive, innovation-driven environment that welcomes entrepreneurial and creative thinkers, including those with start-up experience.
• Supportive Onboarding: Structured induction and mentoring to help new hires integrate and thrive.
• Vibrant Culture: A collaborative, people-first workplace with a strong sense of community.

Terms of Employment
Contract Category: Full-Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Duration: Approximately 2 years

Appointment may be made on the Post Doctoral level 1, salary range € 47,273 - € 53,925 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Padraic Morrissey
Closing date of applications is 1pm, 11th September 2026

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.

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