Postgraduate Researcher in Image Analysis for use in the Dairy Industry

Postgraduate Researcher in Image Analysis for use in the Dairy Industry

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 Wireless Sensor Network Group (WSN) at the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork is currently advertising for the position of Postgraduate Researcher in Image analysis for use in the Dairy Industry. 

The Tyndall National Institute is a world leader in the development of Smart Sensing systems for use in the body, on the body and around the body. Working closely with a global range of academic, business and clinical partners, our technology is under evaluation by several multinational corporations and is approaching market readiness in a number of areas.   

As part of the Research Ireland Research Centre Vistamilk, The Wireless Sensor Networks group at the Tyndall National Institute, is currently advertising for the position of Postgraduate Researcher in Image analysis for use in the Dairy Industry through enabling the development of edge AI enabled and mobile device image sensing devices 

About the Role: 

Reliable, frequent weight measurement is central to precision nutrition, health management, and welfare monitoring in dairy herds. Manual weighing, even when an in-race weigher is installed, is labour-intensive and often restricted to specific time points such as pre-breeding or drying-off. Manual body condition scoring is subjective and time-consuming, and its frequency on commercial farms is often low. As herd sizes increase and labour becomes more constrained, automatic and non-intrusive weight monitoring becomes increasingly attractive. 

This project will design, deploy and validate a non-invasive, multi-view, walk-through imaging system to estimate dairy cow liveweight as animals leave the parlour. The core objective is to build a high-quality, well-curated dataset and to develop robust AI models for weight estimation based on morphometric features extracted from images. 

Key Duties & Responsibilities: 

• To work under the direction of the Principal Investigator/Project Team Leader in the design and development of Image analysis algorithms for use in edge aAI devices and mobile platforms and systems. 

• The candidate will be required to undertake the system specification, design and deployment of Imaging systems for cattle weight estimation and with the support of a team of senior researchers and develop reports for dissemination in appropriate journals and conferences in conjunction with the senior research team. 

• To engage in Education and Outreach (EPE) activities to showcase the research activities of the WSN group as well as the Vistamilk Center 

• Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations. 

• To carry out any additional duties and provide support which may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post. 

Essential Criteria: 

• Qualified to PHD level in Electrical and Electronic Engineering or a relevant Science and Engineering discipline with specialization in Image analysis and resource constrained system implementation 

• Demonstrated experience in Image analysis algorithm development 

• Demonstrated experience in the use of embedded system laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, soldering stations and electronics test and characterization equipment 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English including experience in writing peer reviewed papers and a proven track record in academic publishing. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of Intellectual Property management in the form of Invention Disclosure Forms, Licenses or Patents and exploitation potential for technology. 

Desirable Criteria: 

• Evidence of entrepreneurial experience and creative skills/creativity  

• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams 

• Strong track record in EPE (Education and Public Engagement) activities and ability to communicate science to the general public 

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, one year 

Appointment may be made on the Postdoctoral Scale Pt 1 (new entrants) salary € 46,805- €53,391per annum 

Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy. 

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to  Brendan O’Flynn.

Closing date for applications for this position is March 22nd 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.

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.