Postdoctoral Researcher in First Principles Calculations of Defects in III-N materials

Postdoctoral Researcher in First Principles Calculations of Defects in III-N materials

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 Team
The Photonics Theory Group and the III-N Materials and Devices Group at Tyndall National Institute, together with the Photon Science Institute at the University of Manchester, UK, have recently secured major funding to investigate doping in aluminium gallium nitride (AlGaN) epilayers with high aluminium content (>80%). The project aims to establish a detailed understanding of the role of defects and impurities in these materials and, in turn, to inform strategies for improving the efficiency of AlGaN-based LEDs emitting in the far-UVC spectral range. Achieving this goal requires a close integration of theoretical and experimental studies of the fundamental material properties and their impact on device performance.

As part of this project, Tyndall National Institute and University College Cork are inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher specialising in electronic structure theory of Al-rich semiconductor alloys. The successful candidate will join a collaborative international research programme involving experimental and theoretical teams in Ireland and the UK, as well as the project partner, the Computational Materials Research Group led by Prof. Chris Van de Walle at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), USA. The position will entail extended research visits to UCSB.

The participating groups are well established and form part of a vibrant, multi-investigator research activity spanning III-N materials, fundamental semiconductor physics, and optoelectronic applications. The successful candidate will also be embedded within Rinn Semiconductors, a major national research initiative bringing together academic and industry partners across Ireland to advance semiconductor materials, technologies and integration.

About the Role
The successful candidate will undertake and lead first-principles calculations of the electronic structure and defect properties of III-N materials, with particular emphasis on Al-rich AlGaN alloys. A key objective will be to develop and apply theoretical approaches capable of describing the combined effects of alloy disorder, impurities, and defects on the electronic and optical properties of these ultrawide-bandgap materials.
The researcher will work closely with experimental partners to interpret measurements, identify the microscopic origins of observed material behaviour, and support the development of improved doping strategies for far-UVC light emitters. The appointee will also play a leading role in the day-to-day theoretical collaboration between the Irish, UK, and US project teams.
 
Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Density functional theory based calculations for Al-rich AlGaN alloys.
• Development of theoretical methods to study the impact of defects, impurities and alloy disorder on the electronic structure of AlGaN alloys from first principles.
• Close collaboration with the experimental partners on the project to ensure overall success.
• Disseminate the outcomes of the research to the project team and photonics theory group.
• Disseminate key research findings through peer‐reviewed academic publications, and presentations at conferences of national and international standing.
• Technical support and informal supervision of other group members, including PhD students.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of the research project.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities.
• 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.

Essential Criteria

• The successful candidate must have a PhD in physical sciences, theoretical physics, applied maths, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• Previous research in electronic structure theory, especially density functional theory, as evidenced by publications.
• Strong communications, interpersonal and team working skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in defect and impurity calculations from first principles, as evidenced by publications.
• Previous research in III-N materials as evidenced by publications.
• Track record in engaging in collaborative research projects with other institutions.
• Track record in showing the capability and desire to apply for research funding.
• Strong team working ethic in collaboration with a research group and with others in a research department/institute

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-Doctorate Researcher Scale (new entrants) salary €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. Stefan Schulz.
Closing date for applications for this position is 1pm, 9th 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.