Postdoctoral Researcher – Wireless Communication and Sensing/ UAV networks (Dublin)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Wireless Communication and Sensing/ UAV networks (Dublin)

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 Wireless Communications Laboratory is based in  Dublin, with outdoor test facilities located in parks and wildlife areas nearby. The post offers a superb opportunity for an ambitious individual to work collaboratively on exciting, cutting-edge science at the interface between academia, industry and across multiple teams. To support their research, the successful candidate will have access to fully equipped facilities which include:

• Heavy-duty UAV platforms and dedicated test sites
• An inventory of SDRs including USRPs, RF test equipment, anechoic chambers, antenna fabrication capabilities
• Advanced simulation software and dedicated compute clusters

About the Role
The Tyndall National Institute Wireless Communications Laboratory is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher in Wireless Sensing and Communication  for UAV and non-terrestrial platforms within the Royal Society project SONGBIRD. This role will lead the development of waveforms, antenna array prototypes, and joint radar/communications signal processing for  portable UAV payloads, validated on SDR hardware and field trials with stakeholder partners across Dublin and beyond.

As part of this it is expected that follow-up opportunities within the lab will be available  to support the research and career ambitions of the successful candidate.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop beamforming and direction-finding solutions for multi-antenna systems, including AoA estimation and array processing, while ensuring ensuring robustness to multipath effects.
• Develop sensing waveforms and receiver processing suitable for UAV operation, including ranging/velocity estimation, clutter and interference mitigation, and performance evaluation in realistic environments.
• Implement and validate algorithms using programming languages such as C++, Julia, Python and MATLAB.
• Deploy the created solutions on configurable hardware and verify their performance in real-world trials involving ground transmitters and UAVs.
• Disseminate research achievements through publications in leading journals and at leading conferences.
• Co-supervise, support and mentor postgraduate students as required.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
• Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management system.
• Ensure all activities are compliant with the required Health and Safety standards.
• Carry out any additional duties as may be reasonably required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

• PhD degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Wireless Communications, Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a related discipline
• Strong fundamentals in statistical signal processing with a background in either radar applications, or RF system design relevant to arrays and sensing
• Familiarity with embedded systems and software-defined radios  
• Familiarity in mathematical modelling tools such as C++/Python/MATLAB/Julia.
• Good publication record in IEEE or ACM journals and conference publications.

Desirable Criteria

• 4 years post-PhD experience in industry or academia.
• Experience in the field of UAVs and aerial communication systems is highly desired.
• Demonstration of experience with prototyping and testing communication systems in real-world conditions.
• Knowledge of wireless communication systems at the physical (PHY) and MAC layers.
• Ability to engage in the wider research activities of the research group.

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 24 months

Appointment will be on the UCC Post-doctorate Researcher scale €46,805 to €59,654 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

For any informal queries, please contact Dr. Boris Galkin or Dr Lester Ho.
Closing date for applications for this position is 1pm, 17th April 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.