IC Design Engineer RF Sensor Interface

IC Design Engineer RF Sensor Interface

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 the Team
The integrated circuits group at Tyndall National Institute consist of a large team of researchers in silicon chip design, at various stages of their careers; from Masters researcher through to Principal Researcher. All are creating advanced, innovative and high impact Integrated Circuit technologies, which will shape our future lives. Excellent research is being carried out in areas such as Analog Precision Circuits, RF and Millimeter-wave Communications circuits, Cryogenic CMOS and Integrated Power Systems.

About the Role
Design of a Wide-bandwidth (RF) low noise amplifier
The objective of this position is to contribute to a project to design a wide bandwidth low noise amplifier at RF frequencies as a sensor interface for a magnetic sensor. The project will involve the design, layout, tapeout and testing of a high-performance low noise amplifier. The project is with a multinational company and will involve regular meetings and interactions with the customers’ systems and integrations teams.

Key Duties & Responsibilities
The candidate is expected to be creative, self-motivated, and should help create an efficient and friendly atmosphere within the Integrated Circuits Group and beyond to all teams at Tyndall.

• Simulate, Design and Layout RF Low Noise amplifier circuits using Cadence and other industry standard Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools.
• With guidance from the senior Tyndall design team, propose innovative circuits to meet the customer requirements and specifications for the sensing application.
• Perform schematic design, simulation and analysis across PVT corners and relevant operating conditions.
• Work with IC layout engineers to ensure effective implementation of RF/analogue circuits, including matching, parasitics, shielding, grounding, isolation and other layout considerations critical to RF performance.
• Develop an RF test plan for silicon evaluation and design RF test-boards and write test automation code for testing. Then carry out the measurements in the RF test lab.
• Prepare presentations and reports and attend meetings with our project partner / customer.
• Support project management.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
• Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations.
• Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria
The successful candidate must have:

• a PhD or equivalent experience (e.g. MEng + 2 years’ experience) in a relevant discipline such as electrical/electronic engineering, physics or related relevant discipline;
• typically, 5 years’ experience in designing integrated circuits in the areas of Analogue, Mixed-Signal or RF circuit design;
• experience with designing and simulating integrated circuits using tools such as Cadence/Siemens-Mentor/Synoposys;
• prior experience of IC design layout/physical design and system integration;
• strong communication skills, as evidenced by prior experience such as working with/in industry, scientific paper writing, conference presentation and report writing.
• Knowledge of RF design concepts like RF circuit simulation, impedance matching, transmission lines and the Smith Chart.

Desirable Criteria

• Successful tape-out of an integrated circuit chip
• Knowledge of Integrated circuit layout.
• Good mathematical ability and knowledge of statistics.
• Experience in RF circuit design and simulation.
• Experience with RF measurements
• Experience programming with Python.

What We Offer
Apart from offering a position in a 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
Duration : Approximately 10 months in the first instance, although this may be extended for an additional year pending funding and performance.

Appointment may be made on the Admin V, Grade 5 Salary Scale €52,338 - €64,190 pa. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

For further information, please contact to Dr. Daniel O' Hare.
Closing date of applications is 1pm, 21st September 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.

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