PhD Scholarship in Novel Electro-Optic Materials and Integrated Photonic Devices for High-Speed Optical Communications
Tyndall National Institute
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Description
PhD Scholarship in Novel Electro-Optic Materials and Integrated Photonic Devices for High-Speed Optical Communications
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
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.
Future optical networks must accommodate surging global data traffic while sharply reducing energy use. This demands ultrafast, low‑power mechanisms for encoding information onto light. The electro‑optic modulator, which leverages electric‑field‑driven refractive‑index changes to imprint data onto light, provides precisely this capability and is poised to underpin highly integrated, energy‑efficient photonic platforms. Miniaturised photonic chips based on this principle are set to play a defining role.
About the Role
Future optical networks must accommodate surging global data traffic while sharply reducing energy use. This demands ultrafast, low‑power mechanisms for encoding information onto light. The electro‑optic modulator, which leverages electric‑field‑driven refractive‑index changes to imprint data onto light, provides precisely this capability and is poised to underpin highly integrated, energy‑efficient photonic platforms. Miniaturised photonic chips based on this principle are set to play a defining role.
This PhD project will discover, and tailor entirely new electro-optic materials optimised for the O-band (1300 nm) wavelength window used in modern data networks. In some crystals, an applied electric field alters their atomic and electronic structure, producing large, controllable changes in refractive index, a phenomenon known as the electro-optic effect. Finding materials that maximise this effect — efficiently and at low voltage — is the central challenge.
The project spans three themes: computational materials discovery (modelling and screening new candidates), thin-film synthesis and deposition (growing and characterising the most promising materials), and photonic device fabrication and testing (measuring electro-optic switching performance in integrated waveguide devices).
Key Duties & Responsibilities
The successful applicant will:
Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term
Duration: 48 months
The annual stipend is €25,00.00. In addition, annual tuition fees will be paid by the Tyndall National Institute.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Lynette Keeney and Dr Stefan Schulz
The closing date for applications for this position is rolling until the post is filled.
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.
Postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency as per UCC regulations (https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/). Certificates should be valid (usually less than 2 years old) and should be uploaded with their application.
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process. The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the 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.
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
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.
Future optical networks must accommodate surging global data traffic while sharply reducing energy use. This demands ultrafast, low‑power mechanisms for encoding information onto light. The electro‑optic modulator, which leverages electric‑field‑driven refractive‑index changes to imprint data onto light, provides precisely this capability and is poised to underpin highly integrated, energy‑efficient photonic platforms. Miniaturised photonic chips based on this principle are set to play a defining role.
About the Role
Future optical networks must accommodate surging global data traffic while sharply reducing energy use. This demands ultrafast, low‑power mechanisms for encoding information onto light. The electro‑optic modulator, which leverages electric‑field‑driven refractive‑index changes to imprint data onto light, provides precisely this capability and is poised to underpin highly integrated, energy‑efficient photonic platforms. Miniaturised photonic chips based on this principle are set to play a defining role.
This PhD project will discover, and tailor entirely new electro-optic materials optimised for the O-band (1300 nm) wavelength window used in modern data networks. In some crystals, an applied electric field alters their atomic and electronic structure, producing large, controllable changes in refractive index, a phenomenon known as the electro-optic effect. Finding materials that maximise this effect — efficiently and at low voltage — is the central challenge.
The project spans three themes: computational materials discovery (modelling and screening new candidates), thin-film synthesis and deposition (growing and characterising the most promising materials), and photonic device fabrication and testing (measuring electro-optic switching performance in integrated waveguide devices).
Key Duties & Responsibilities
The successful applicant will:
- Join a world-class and highly diverse community of more than 100 PhD students, more than a 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 PhDs 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.
- Participate and support in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
- 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.
- The successful candidate for the position will have their undergraduate degree in physics, materials science, chemistry, electrical engineering, or a related discipline.
- Students must have attained a 2:1 or higher in their undergraduate degree to be eligible for the studentship. For qualification comparisons please refer to: https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/.
- All applicants whose first language is not English or Gaeilge (Irish) must provide evidence of English language proficiency according to the University College Cork Postgraduate English Language Entry Requirements. Please refer to: https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/.
- The successful candidate must be highly self-motivated and possess a curiosity, willingness and aptitude to work across theory, materials, and devices.
- The candidate must possess good scientific writing and communication skills.
- A first-class honors (1:1) in their undergraduate degree would be an advantage.
- A Masters degree in physics, materials science, chemistry, electrical engineering, or a related discipline would be an advantage.
- Experience or knowledge in photonics would be an advantage.
- Experience or knowledge of ferroelectric materials would be an advantage.
- Experience with first principles simulations would be an advantage.
- Experience in thin film deposition and characterisation techniques would be an advantage.
- Experience in device fabrication and testing would be an advantage.
- A generous tax-free scholarship stipend payment including tuition fees covered.
- 20 days per annum annual leave for full-time research students, in addition to public holidays.
- Full coverage of travel expenses to international conferences to present project outcomes.
- Training and development opportunities are also provided.
- Mardyke Sports Arena -Students – free when registered with UCC
- Free Park and Ride Service
- Also see here for more information
Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term
Duration: 48 months
The annual stipend is €25,00.00. In addition, annual tuition fees will be paid by the Tyndall National Institute.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Lynette Keeney and Dr Stefan Schulz
The closing date for applications for this position is rolling until the post is filled.
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.
Postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency as per UCC regulations (https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/). Certificates should be valid (usually less than 2 years old) and should be uploaded with their application.
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process. The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the 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.
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