MH-33 Principal Researcher in Energy Harvesting Power for IoT

Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term (1 year with potential for further extension)

Role Description

The ICT for Energy Efficiency Group (ICT4EE) at the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork is currently advertising for the position of Principal Researcher in Energy Harvesting Power for IoT. This is an exciting and timely opportunity for a researcher to show world leadership in a highly disruptive and impactful role of ‘Power IoT’ particularly for medtech/wearables and industry 4.0 domains. It entails addressing the challenge of powering the 1 trillion sensors the world will have by 2025 and exploiting energy harvesting and related technologies to extend batteries life, ideally beyond the operational life of the IoT device.

The Tyndall National Institute is a world leader in the development of IoT edge device material, devices and systems for use on, in or near people, equipment and infrastructure for a broad range of applications. Our technology is under evaluation by several multinational corporations and SMEs and is approaching market readiness in a number of areas.

For medtech/wearables there are unprecedented opportunities to embed sensors on, in and around people to help with assisted living, wound-care management, patient monitoring, sports performance and rehabilitation, personnel safety, etc. offering commercial opportunities as well having a positive societal impact.

Wireless IoT sensors have a critical role in the 4th generation of the industrial revolution (industry 4.0) in which machines are augmented to gather data so that systems can visualize and dynamically monitor the entire production system leading to enhancements in agility, resource usage and life cycle costs.

A key activity of the ICT4EE group is in solving challenge of powering the trillion sensor economy of 2025. This encompasses the development of world leading energy harvesting compatible PMICs (power management ICs), simulation tools for system optimization and deployment assistance and development of power solutions for IoT devices based on existing and emerging technologies. This frequently involves internal collaborations (e.g. with Tyndall’s WSN, ICT4Health, IERC & MCCI groups/centres) and external collaborations through entities such as EnABLES (EU H2020 infrastructure project co-ordinated by Tyndall – www.enables-project.eu), SFI research centres CONNECT (future networks - https://connectcentre.ie/) and CONFIRM (smart manufacturing - https://confirm.ie/ ), the Irish Government Funded DTIF HOLISTICS program (medtech solutions) and US based industry association PSMA (www.psma.com).

Whilst this is initially a short term role it is a intended as 12 month ‘gateway’ opportunity for a principal researcher to join our ICT4EE group with a view to a longer term contract. The main work comprises leading a portfolio of already EnABLES funded ‘power IoT’ feasibility studies, some of which are expected to lead to future projects. In parallel the applicant will be given early and ample opportunities  and support to define a research portfolio of mutual interest to Tyndall and the candidate and prepare funding proposals, potentially carving out such a longer term role within Tyndall.

The longer term agenda is for the researcher to lead, define, manage and implement an energy harvesting centric applied research agenda with fellow principal researchers and a team of multi-disciplinary industry-aligned researchers with expertise in ultra-low power system hardware and firmware design, analogue circuit design, energy harvesting, storage and related technologies, microsystems technology and wireless sensors. The researcher would lead a high-calibre team of researchers and graduate students to undertake world-leading research into energy harvesting power solutions for wireless IoT edge devices focusing on med tech and smart manufacturing environment but adaptable to other market verticals. Key end use applications envisaged for the solution are people monitoring, condition based monitoring (fault detection, predictive maintenance, equipment and infrastructure monitoring), asset tracking and sensors enabling energy and resource optimization.

Responsibilities

• To lead a series of EnABLES ‘power IoT’ feasibility studies and deliver high quality outputs (reports, publications, case studies, presentations, recommendations for future projects, etc.)
• Work with the EnABLES team to identify and secure further feasibility studies.
• Build up internal and external partnerships & target sources of researching funding, enabling the applicant define a longer term strategic principal researcher role within the ICT4EE group particularly in the areas of industry 4.0. energy efficiency and med tech wearables. Funding sources include SFI, EI, EU, industry, etc.
• Provide guidance and support as required for other power IoT projects, feasibility studies and project proposals.
• Set foundations to further grow the high-calibre team of researchers and graduate students undertaking world-leading research into energy harvesting power solutions for wireless IoT edge devices for applications in Communications, Energy, Health and AgriTech/Environment.
• To deliver high impact outputs that may include high impact-factor journal publications, functional prototypes, patents, graduate students and technology licenses and start-ups.
• To enable and lead the career development of staff and students to become future research leaders.
• To manage research projects under Tyndall’s QT9 quality system.
• To operate under Tyndall’s Health and Safety and Quality Systems protocols.
• 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.
• To carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Physics, Science or equivalent research experience
• Typically 10+ years relevant post graduate experience.
• Track record in delivering world-leading research in one or more of the following - designing, characterizing, optimizing and integrating energy harvesting based power solutions for wireless IoT edge devices (or other similar ultra-low power devices).
• Demonstrated capability in leading successful innovative research project teams, initiating, establishing and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with relevant academic, industry research and development groups
• Established record (e.g. publications, patents, licensing, product development) in energy harvesting for low power applications (e.g. IoT edge devices.)
• Evidence of excellent analytical, organizational, communication, project management & time management skills driven by high ambition.

Desirable Criteria

• Energy harvesting modelling and hardware development.
• Knowledge of sensing technologies including but not limited to physical (temperature, light humidity, pressure, etc.), inertial, magnetic, force and environmental.
• Demonstrable knowledge in medtech and/or Industry 4.0 applications for Smart Manufacturing.
• Condition based monitoring and fault diagnostics in smart manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of wireless technologies in med tech and/or industrial environments.

Appointment may be made on the Grade 7 Admin Scale B range  €71,465 - €93,302 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.  

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Michael.hayes@tyndall.ie.

Closing date of application is 2nd December, 2020.

Application Instructions

Step 1 - Click here to download and complete the application form and indicate Job Reference MH-33.

Step 2 - Return the completed application form, together with your CV and motivation letter to careers@tyndall.ie.

Handwritten forms will not be accepted. 

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

A full candidate information pack is available to download by clicking here.

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

At this time, Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.

Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer