Postdoctoral/Senior Postdoctoral Researcher in Integrated Magnetics for Advanced Semiconductor Packaging

Postdoctoral/Senior Postdoctoral Researcher in Integrated Magnetics for Advanced Semiconductor Packaging 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 Integrated Power and Energy Systems (IPES) group conducts research in integrated magnetics, magnetic materials and power conversion, spanning materials development, device design, fabrication and characterisation through to power-electronic circuits and systems. The group works with academic and industrial partners to develop technologies for efficient, compact power delivery, supported by Tyndall’s semiconductor fabrication and characterisation infrastructure.

Tyndall leads Rinn Semiconductors, and this position will contribute to Rinn research on integrated magnetic technologies, connecting materials and device research with semiconductor integration and system applications. Rinn Semiconductors is part of a constellation of seven major new centres which collectively represent an investment of €460M in advanced research by the Government of Ireland.

Rinn Semiconductors aims to lead Ireland’s response to the end of Moore’s Law scaling, the point where traditional improvements in computer chips slows down or ends, by pioneering modular integrated circuit-based (chiplet-based) semiconductor design and integration. With deep expertise in the areas of Heterogeneous Integration and Advanced Packaging, the Rinn Semiconductors team propose to enable transformative advances in these technologies and to apply them in three main application areas: Future Internet, Sustainable Energy and Environment, and Digital Healthcare.

A key objective of the Rinn is to foster deep collaboration across the seven universities and institutions involved, by leveraging the semiconductor fabrication facilities at Tyndall, ultimately creating a cohesive “atom to systems” value chain in Ireland, connecting everything from basic materials research through to complete technology solutions.

The Rinn will operate in close collaboration with Ireland’s vibrant semiconductor industry sector which supports 20,000 high skilled jobs and includes world leading multinational companies, small and medium sized enterprises and start-ups. As part of the Rinn Semiconductors programme, the successful applicant will: Join a world-class and highly diverse community of more than 100 PhD students, more than 100 Postdoctoral Researchers and around 35 experienced PIs and Research Fellows.

Engage with over 30 industry partners to learn about their work and future career opportunities. Become an in-house entrepreneur and explore the opportunity to commercialise your research through a Spin-Out company. Follow in the footsteps of our current trainees, where over 86% of Ph. Ds have transitioned into industry with some of the world’s leading semiconductor companies, in Ireland and the EU.

If you aspire to be a future PI and academic research leader, our programme will support you to build your research track record and vision, equipping you to take the next steps on your career journey.

About the Role

IPES is seeking a Postdoctoral or Senior Postdoctoral Researcher to develop magnetic materials and integrated magnetic components for efficient power conversion in advanced semiconductor systems. The role combines experimental materials research with device design and modelling to understand and improve component performance.

The successful candidate will work within the integrated magnetics team under the supervision of Prof. Cian Ó Mathúna, collaborating with specialist fabrication, characterisation and circuit-design colleagues. The post offers access to Tyndall’s deposition, cleanroom and measurement facilities, and opportunities to publish research, develop intellectual property and build expertise across materials and device engineering.

Key Duties & Responsibilities The successful applicant will be responsible for the following: Plan and undertake research on soft magnetic materials and integrated magnetic components, linking material properties and processing to device performance. Develop and optimise magnetic thin-film deposition and processing in collaboration with the materials and fabrication teams.

Characterise magnetic materials and devices and interpret the effects of processing and structure on magnetic response and loss. Design and model integrated magnetic devices using physical, analytical and numerical approaches, and compare predictions with experimental measurements. Work with fabrication colleagues on test structures, mask layouts, process development and device integration, and with characterisation colleagues on device evaluation.

Work with circuit and system designers to establish component requirements and assess magnetic device designs for power conversion applications. Maintain reproducible experimental and modelling records, and contribute to research planning, technical reports and programme presentations. Disseminate research through peer-reviewed publications and conferences, and contribute to intellectual property disclosures and research proposals, as appropriate.

Co-supervise, support and mentor postgraduate students as required. Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities. 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 PhD degree or equivalent in Physics, Materials Science, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, or a related discipline. Strong knowledge of soft magnetic materials and device physics, including magnetic anisotropy and magnetisation processes. Demonstrated hands-on experience in magnetic thin-film deposition or related materials processing and magnetic characterisation and interpretation of experimental data.

Ability to apply physical models and quantitative analysis to magnetic materials or devices, supported by programming or scientific computing skills such as Python, MATLAB or equivalent, with evidence of independent research planning and systematic experimental problem-solving. A record of peer-reviewed research publications appropriate to career stage, with excellent written and oral communication skills in English and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary research team.

Desirable Criteria Experience in electromagnetic finite-element modelling or micromagnetic simulation, using tools such as Ansys, COMSOL or equivalent. Experience in high-frequency magnetic or electrical characterisation, including permeability measurements, impedance analysis or vector network analysis. Experience with cleanroom fabrication, mask design, lithography, etching or process integration.

Knowledge of integrated magnetic components, power electronics or advanced semiconductor packaging. Experience of industrial collaboration, intellectual property generation, funded-project reporting or student supervision.

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, approximately 24 months. Any extension would be subject to funding, satisfactory progress and the relevant approvals. Appointment may be made on either the Post-Doctoral Researcher Salary Scale €47,273 – €53,925 or the Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher Salary Scale €55,399 – €60,250 per annum, depending on experience.

Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy. Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Prof. Cian Ó Mathúna or Dr. Proloy T. Das , Integrated Power and Energy Systems, Tyndall National Institute. Closing date for applications for this position is 5:00 pm, Monday 23rd November 2026 (Irish time).

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. 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.

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.