PhD Position – Photonic Integrated Optical Frequency Comb Sources
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 Rinn Semiconductor
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.
About the Role
The position is part of the HET (heterogeneous integration) theme within RINN Semiconductors centre and will be based at the Tyndall National Institution and University College Cork. The PhD position is focussed on developing integrated photonic circuits designed to generate III-V based optical frequency combs in a form factor that can be heterogeneously integrated into larger silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs). These PICs will be designed to be used within the NET (Future Networks and the Internet) theme, in particularly focusing on novel photonic data centre interconnects, where the candidate will be encouraged to have significant engagement.
The position will focus on the simulation, design, fabrication and characterization of the PICs based on the NET requirements, with the aim to incorporate the novel devices within a optical communications systems testbed by the end of the project. During the PhD the candidate will be trained in the cleanroom, where they will fabricate their devices, and on characterisation and systems testing. Lab space will be made available for all experimental portions of the role.
The successful applicant will:
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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
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Engage with over 30 industry partners to learn about their work and future career opportunities
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Become an in-house entrepreneur and explore the opportunity to commercialise your research through a Spin-Out company
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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.
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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.
Key Duties & Responsibilities-
Simulation and design of photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
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Fabrication and further integration of optical frequency comb generating PICs.
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Characterization of Comb PICs.
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Interaction with larger HET theme as well as NET theme within Rinn Semiconductor, where the comb PICs will be further integrated and tested.
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Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
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Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations.
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To carry out any additional duties that may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.
Essential Criteria-
The minimum academic qualification is a first-class or high second-class honours degree (or an equivalent international degree) in physics, electronic engineering, materials science or related relevant discipline, with a proved curriculum including photonics, semiconductor materials and devices.
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Demonstrate knowledge of semiconductor physics
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Proficiency in a relevant programming/simulation language (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C++).
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Interest in semiconductor fabrication and heterogeneous integration.
Desirable Criteria-
Masters degrees in III-V photonics are welcome and will have a preferential consideration
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Experience in photonic devices or other topics close to the proposed research.
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Experience in integrated photonic circuit design and layout.
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Experience in experimental characterisation of optical and photonic devices.
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Excellent background knowledge of any of the following topics: integrated optics, semiconductor physics, and micro-transfer printing.
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Experience with photonic simulation and design tools (e.g., Lumerical, COMSOL, or PIC design/layout environments)
What We Offer-
Full PhD funding, including tuition fees and a tax-free stipend.
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A position within Rinn Semiconductor — Ireland’s Centre for Semiconductor Innovation, working at the interface of photonics, semiconductors, and digital healthcare.
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Cross-theme collaboration with the NET (Future Networks and the Internet), and PACK (Advanced Packaging) themes, alongside an extensive network of industry and clinical partners.
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20 days per annum annual leave for full-time research students, in addition to public holidays.
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Also see here for more information
Terms of Studentship
Contract Type: Full Time
Contract Category: /Fixed Term
Contract Duration: 4 Years
The annual stipend is €25,000, tax free. In addition, annual tuition fees will be paid by directly by the project.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Prof. Frank Peters
Closing of applications is 1pm, 31st August 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.
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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