Postdoctoral Researcher / Senior Research Engineer in Integrated Circuit design for optical communication in in-vivo medilcal applications

PT-42 Postdoctoral Researcher / Senior Research Engineer in Integrated Circuit design for optical communication in in-vivo medical applications

Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term

The Photonic Systems Group (PSG) at Tyndall National Institute and University College Cork is seeking a highly motivated IC designer to join a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team that is developing cutting-edge optically-powered micro-camera technologies incorporating optical data communications for surgical imaging deep within the body. The successful candidate will help develop the novel communications ASIC that will enable transfer of control and image data to and from the camera. The research will be carried out in close collaboration with the Biophotonics Group and the Microelectronic Circuits Centre Ireland (MCCI) at Tyndall. The project is funded by IPIC, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre in Photonics, which is a 200-person strong centre with 40 industry partners which specialises in both photonics and electronics – materials, devices, circuits and systems.

The Project

Micro-camera technologies in robotic and laparoscopic surgical intervention can provide optical signatures of interest to the surgeon, improving the guidance, potentially increasing the clinical success and aiding the training of new instrument specialist users. The applications of image sensors will also permit more sophisticated visualisation, through narrow band, multispectral or fluorescence capabilities with or without 3D visualisation. The project will advance the state-of-the-art in this field by developing miniature image sensors able to access critical organs in the body, via some of the body’s smallest vasculature. The communication system will require many exciting new innovations including, for example, extreme miniaturisation and unprecedented power efficiency of the overall optical communication architecture and its constituent transceiver elements.

You will have the opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary research team consisting of communication system researchers and integrated circuit designers, photonic packaging and device developers, bio-photonics researchers and clinicians, as well as:

• Work as a highly valuable research team member in a world-class technology centre that has a young, dynamic, vibrant and self-driven work environment that focuses on high impact research results that are strongly aligned to our Medtech industry partners.
• Great career development and advancement that is highly visible to the semiconductor industry through direct contact or IEEE/SPIE publications.
• Opportunity to attend and publish work at leading conferences such as IEEE Solid-State Circuits, IEEE BioCAS, IEEE Optical Fiber Communications conferences etc.
• Opportunity to publish in leading IEEE journals etc.
• Attend training courses and workshops, use the latest industry CAD design tools.
• Competitive salary and conditions including 23 Days of annual leave, and 10 public holidays.

The post would suit PhD-level researchers from academia and also experienced circuit design engineers from industry who are seeking a new career challenge in a vibrant and dynamic, multi-disciplinary research institute, working with a mix of academic and industry partners. 

Key Responsibilities

The candidate is expected to be creative, self-motivated, and should help create an efficient and friendly atmosphere within the PSG team and beyond to all teams at IPIC and Tyndall.

• Propose innovative circuits to meet the communications requirements of the medical device.
• With guidance, implement the solution on an integrated circuit. This involves system level simulation, algorithm development, schematic design, layout and validation of manufactured silicon.
• Engage with the bio-photonics multi-disciplinary team to understand the application.
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research, as directed by and with the support of senior PSG and IPIC research staff.
• 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 reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

• PhD in Electronic Engineering or a related relevant discipline. Or a Master’s in Electronic Engineering or a related relevant discipline, coupled with significant relevant circuit design experience in industry, for example. 
• Evidence of successful execution of Analog, Mixed-Signal or RF circuits at block level through to tape out.
• Ability to work independently on the design of challenging circuit blocks.
• The successful candidate will be highly analytical with good interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Ability to contribute to a multidisciplinary team as a subject matter expert on microelectronics for optical communications.
• Knowledge of Frequency Synthesiser circuits, PLLs etc.

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of creative skills/creativity
• Knowledge of CMOS optical receiver circuits.
• Knowledge of Clock and Data recovery circuits.
• Knowledge of low power circuit design techniques.
• Knowledge of Digital synthesis flow.
• Good mathematical ability and knowledge of statistics.
• Knowledge of mathematical modelling tools such as MATLAB.
• Experience of silicon characterisation.
• Experience with industry standard CAD tools such as Cadence and Mentor.
• Experience in mixed signal circuit layout.
• Interest in Medical applications.

Tyndall National institute has a proactive entrepreneurial culture and we welcome applications from candidates who possess entrepreneurial and creative skills/experience, including the creation of technology start-ups.

Appointment will be made on the following range : Postdoctoral Researcher to Senior Research Engineer I Salary scale €42,781 to €66,954 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy and subject to experience.

Any queries relating to this position can be forwarded to Professor Paul Townsend paul.townsend@tyndall.ie

Closing date of applications is 3rd May, 2024.

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.

Click here to Apply

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.

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

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