SPEAR Centre: PhD in ‘Multi-Wavelength Photonic Engines for Co-Packaged Optics in Next-Generation Datacentres’

SPEAR Centre: PhD in ‘Multi-Wavelength Photonic Engines for Co-Packaged Optics in Next-Generation Datacentres’
 

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 SPEAR
The Semiconductor and Photonics Education and Research (SPEAR) Centre, funded by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), is an €8.5 million cross-border project by Atlantic Technological University, Ulster University, Tyndall National Institute and their associate partner Seagate Technology. The Centre aims to build research capacity in integrated photonics and semiconductor technologies, contributing to the development of Ireland’s and Northern Ireland’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem. It seeks to train the next generation of scientists and engineers to support growth in sectors such as healthcare, telecommunications, advanced manufacturing, and sensor networks.

The PhD position is available in the Photonic Systems Group (PSG) at Tyndall National Institute, Cork, Ireland.

Project Description
Modern artificial intelligence (AI) clusters are pushing datacentres to their limits. Training large AI models requires thousands of graphics processing units (GPUs) exchanging data at unprecedented rates, and a significant share of system power is now spent simply moving information between chips. Datacentres already rely on optical pluggable transceivers for most switch-to-switch connections, but the electrical path between the switch application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and these pluggables has becoming the new bottleneck. it consumes too much power, limits bandwidth density, and introduces signal-integrity challenges as data rates scale.

This is driving a major transition toward Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), where optical engines are placed directly beside the switch or compute die. By reducing the length of high-speed electrical traces, CPO can deliver far lower energy per bit and support multi-terabit bandwidth required for future AI fabrics. However, integrating photonic devices and high-speed electronics into a compact, thermally constrained package presents rich physics and engineering challenges.

This PhD will investigate the multi-wavelength, multi-lane dynamics of ring-modulator based photonic engines. You will study how resonance drift, thermal crosstalk, nonlinear effects, laser noise and device bandwidth jointly constrain intensity-modulation/direct-detection (IM/DD) link performance at 50–100+ GBaud. Using PSG’s state-of-the-art O-band high-speed optical communication testbed, you will drive dense ring arrays with advanced modulation formats (e.g. four level pulse amplitude modulation - PAM4) and electro-optic / comb sources, emulate realistic AI traffic patterns, and implement software-defined feedback and calibration schemes. The project will leverage PSG’s 100GBaud optical communications testbed which includes programmable waveform generation, high-bandwidth drivers, real-time oscilloscope capture, multi-lane traffic emulation, wavelength and power monitoring, and software-defined control for rapid prototyping of tuning algorithms.

The project is ideal for students who enjoy both fundamental physics and hands-on engineering. By combining modelling with deep experimental characterisation, the student will establish practical design rules for scalable photonic engines for AI clusters. The outcomes will inform how next-generation optical I/O can support the continued growth of AI while improving energy efficiency contributing to a more sustainable digital infrastructure for the future.

The PhD will leverage the SPEAR Centre’s strengths in integrated photonics, high-speed measurement and cross-disciplinary system integration. The successful candidate will gain experience in optical communication link design and experimental validation preparing them for future roles in datacentre interconnects and optical-electronic system design.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop physics-driven models that capture the coupled thermal, optical and electronic behaviour of dense ring-modulator and filter arrays in co-packaged optics.
• Design and simulate novel photonic engine architectures optimised for multi-lane, multi-wavelength IM/DD operation at 50–100+ GBaud.
• Perform experiments on prototype photonic devices using advanced waveform generation and real-time measurement tools.
• Implement feedback and calibration schemes that stabilise wavelength, resonance, and amplitude across many channels.
• Translate device-level insights into system-level design rules, informing future CPO technology for AI interconnects.
• Disseminate results via peer-reviewed publications and major international conferences.
• Complete required PhD coursework, participate in group meetings, and contribute to outreach and cohort activities.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required
• 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

• First or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in Electrical / Electronic Engineering or Physics.
• Strong interest in optical communication, or high-speed optoelectronic systems, modelling and experimental work.
• Excellent analytical and programming skills (Python, MATLAB, or equivalent).
• Self-drivenmotivated and able to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English suitable for technical documentation, presentations, and publication.
• A clear motivation letter describing why you want to pursue this PhD and how your skills and experience relate to the project.

Desirable Criteria

• Master’s degree in Physics/Engineering/Photonics
• Experience with experimental characterisation of photonic devices.
• Experience modelling photonic or optoelectronic systems using tools such as VPIphotonics, or custom Python/MATLAB simulations.
• Prior experience contributing to publications, conference presentations, or technical reports.

What We Offer

• A generous tax-free scholarship stipend payment including tuition fees covered.
• 20 days per annum annual leave for full-time research students, in addition to public holidays.
• Full coverage of travel expenses to international conferences to present project outcomes.
• Training and development opportunities are also provided.
• Mardyke Sports Arena - Students – free when registered with UCC
• Free Park and Ride Service

• Also see here for more information

Terms of Employment
The annual stipend is €25,000.  In addition, annual tuition fees will be paid by the Tyndall National Institute.

Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term

• The successful candidate will be registered as PhD student at University College Cork. Doctoral students are going to be equipped with the highest level of scientific and engineering research skills needed to address the challenges of developing new integrated photonic technologies for diverse applications, as well as with the entrepreneurial, leadership and teamwork capabilities needed to lead and operate at the highest levels in industry.
• As a student in the SPEAR Centre, you will join a vibrant, supportive and engaging cohort of 15 students and will have the chance to travel and attend a bespoke induction programme with students from all three partners, an annual training school and have access to advanced courses in areas such as semiconductor fabrication, packaging and entrepreneurship.
• Preferred start date: the position is open and can commence as soon as candidate acceptance and administrative requirements (e.g. University approvals and visa where relevant) are complete. The latest possible start date is 1st October 2026.

Any queries concerning this PhD position can be sent to Paul Townsend
Closing date for application is 9th January 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.