Postdoctoral Researcher – Integrated Magnetics for power-supply-on-chip (PwrSoC)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Integrated Magnetics for power-supply-on-chip (PwrSoC)

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
Tyndall’s Integrated Power & Energy Systems (IPES) research programme participates in the European Chips JU FAMES Pilot Line, which is co-funded by the European Commission and Irish national funding agencies under the targeted initiative of the EU Chips Act. The FAMES Pilot Line represents a major European cross-border collaboration. The consortium is led by CEA-Leti and includes four hosting sites – CEA-Leti, Tyndall, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, and Silicon Austria Labs – along with several other research and technology organisations across Europe.

With the objective of transferring advanced technologies to the EU semiconductor industry, the FAMES Pilot Line will develop two generations of FD-SOI technology at the 10 nm and 7 nm nodes to address the growing demand for FD-SOI platforms. This platform will incorporate integrated non-volatile memory, radio-frequency components, 3D integration options, and Power Management ICs (PMICs), together with Tyndall’s flagship integrated magnetics components and deep-trench capacitor interposer from CEA-Leti. Within the FAMES project, Tyndall will deliver high-frequency PMICs and integrated magnetic devices and will demonstrate enhanced power management by combining its PMICs, on-silicon thin-film magnetics, and micro-transfer printing technologies with CEA-Leti’s power management ICs and high-density silicon capacitors.

About the Role
The successful candidate will be a key member of Tyndall’s Integrated Power Group under the IPES Research Programme, contributing to research on the development of novel magnetic films and the optimization of fabrication processes for magnetic laminates used in next-generation integrated magnetic components and devices for PwrSoC. The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day fabrication in Tyndall’s state-of-the art Si/MEMS-fabrication clean room and characterization of these materials as part of projects defined by the Activity/Team Lead. They will also be expected to design, coordinate, and execute experiments, as well as prepare and submit progress reports and project documentation to the Team Lead/Project Manager throughout the duration of the project. The candidate will also be engaged in literature reviews, simulations, and the development of analytical models for better understanding of material properties and developing capability for high-throughput material screening. In addition, the successful candidate is expected to publish high-quality research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present their work at leading international conferences

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Optimize magnetic thin-film deposition processes, and fabricate, characterize, and analyze magnetic thin films and integrated magnetics-on-silicon devices, such as inductors, using first-generation materials (e.g., CZT) and novel next-generation magnetic materials.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of, and thoroughly document, the fundamental principles governing the process–structure–property relationships and design-dependent performance of existing and emerging magnetic materials.
• Generation of intellectual property (IP) and the preparation of high-quality research publications.
• Showcasing research outcomes in reputed international conferences
• Presenting updates to all stakeholders (verbal and written reports)
• Collaborate with other researchers and PhD/Masters students in the process development and fabrication of magnetic components
• Engage in appropriate professional training and development and professional development opportunities as required to develop research skills and competencies
• 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

• PhD in a relevant Science or Engineering discipline such as Physics, Material Science and engineering, Nanotechnology, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, etc.
• Excellent research track record with documented proof such as publication in international peer-reviewed high-quality journals, reputed conference proceedings.
• Hands-on experience in using PVD tools such as magnetron sputtering for film deposition
• Demonstrable knowledge of magnetic thin film deposition processes and their effects on material properties.
• Expertise in material characterization in one or more of the following areas: magnetic, transport, structural analysis.
• Good knowledge on process and characterization of thin film-based devices.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills in English, including experience in writing peer-reviewed papers.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working in cleanroom environment.
• Hands-on experience with and understanding of one or more of the following equipment or measurement techniques: probe station, BH loop tracer, permeability measurement, XRD, AFM/MFM, SEM, MPMS/PPMS, etc.
• Experience in independently designing, planning, and managing research experiments.
• Experience or ability to work in highly interdisciplinary collaborative environments.
• The candidate should have completed their PhD within the last four years.

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 UCC Post-Doctorate scale 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 Rajkumar Modak .
Closing date for applications for this position is 1pm, 31st August 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.