Postdoctoral Researcher in the electro-optical characterisation of InGaN and InGaP and microLED

Postdoctoral Researcher in the electro-optical characterisation of InGaN and InGaP and microLED. Supported by META

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
Prof. Paul Hurley is Head of the Nanoelectronic Materials and Devices Group at Tyndall National Institute and a Research Professor in the Department of Chemistry at University College Cork. His group focuses on developing advanced semiconductor materials, devices, and integration technologies for future electronics, photonics, energy, and AI hardware applications.

About the Role
The ability to form displays comprised of microscale light emitting diodes (LEDs), where the LED lateral dimensions are around 2um, is central to the realisation of Augmented Reality Head-Mounted Displays. Such head-mounted displays, which augment our surroundings, will open the door to a vast range of new applications in areas such as surgery, manufacturing, training, entertainment and education.

The current research challenge in terms of the practical realisation of such displays, is the properties of the semiconductor/oxide interface at, or near, the periphery of the light emitting diodes. The semiconductor materials which are used for light emission are called compound semiconductors and are typically comprised of two or three elements from groups III and V of the periodic table (e.g., GaAs, InGaP, GaN, InGaN). As the lateral dimensions of the LEDs drop below around 10um, which is required for a high-resolution display, crystalline defects at the periphery of the device, or within the surrounding passivation oxide, can play an increasing role, and act as non-radiative recombination centres, reducing the internal quantum efficiency and contributing to changes in optical output power over time. The ability to characterise these non-radiative defects in microLED structures is the basis for the position.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Conducting research activities, including planning, organizing, conducting, and communicating research studies within the overall scope of a research project.
• Interacting with Tyndall and Meta to form and characterise the relevant MOS structures.
• To coordinate and perform a variety of independent and team activities involved in the collection, analysis, documentation and some interpretation of information/results.
• The candidate will need to take a leadership role in the electrical characterisation and analysis of InGaP and InGaN diodes and diode arrays using impedance spectroscopy.
• Establish an on wafer optical output power measurement capability.
• To provide guidance as required to any support staff and/or research students assisting with the research project, as agreed with the Principal Investigator/Grant holder
• Participate in and support in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
• Ensure all activities are in compliance 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

• The candidate should have a PhD in Engineering, Chemistry or Physics.
• Experience in the measurement and analysis of III-V devices at the wafer level
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in semiconductor processing
• Strong leadership skills

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
Contract Duration: 1 Year
Appointment may be made on the Postdoctoral Researcher Salary Scale (new entrants) €47,273 - €53,925 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Prof. Paul Hurley
Closing date for applications for this position is 1pm, 30th October 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.

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.