Senior Postdoctoral Researcher in design of NS SAR ADCs for CMOS Image Sensor readout

Senior Postdoctoral Researcher in design of NS SAR ADCs for CMOS Image Sensor readout

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 Noise Shaped SAR ADCs for CMOS Image Sensor Readout
The objective of this project is to design a sub 1mm^2 CMOS image sensor using an advanced 3D stacked CMOS image sensor technology. Image sensors traditionally use single slope ADCs as their column readout favoured for their low area. SAR ADCs have been investigated but usually consume too much area. Noise shaped SAR have the potential to use oversampling to achieve very small area readout ADCs. The ADC will be integrated with our existing row driver circuits and data interface to complete the imager design. Once the design is complete and manufactured. Lab testing will be carried out to characterise the imager performance.

Key Duties & Responsibilities
The candidate is expected to be creative, self-motivated, and should help create an efficiently and friendly atmosphere within the Integrated Circuits Group and beyond to all teams at Tyndall.
- Propose innovative Noise shaped SAR ADC to meet the requirements of the medical device camera project.
- Implement the solution on an integrated circuit using an advanced CMOS Image sensor technology. This involves system level simulation, schematic design and layout.
- Simulate, Design and Layout the ADC circuits using Cadence and other industry standard Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools.
- Develop a test plan for silicon evaluation and design test-boards and write code for testing. Then carry out the measurements in test lab.
- Prepare presentations and reports and attend meetings with our project partners.
- Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
- Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management system and required Health & Safety standards.
- 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 in a relevant discipline such as electrical/electronic engineering, physics or related relevant discipline;
- 6 years’ experience in designing integrated circuits in the areas of Analogue, Mixed-Signal or RF circuit design;
- Evidence of successful execution of Analog, Mixed-Signal or RF circuits at block level through to tape out.
- Analog to Digital converter design experience.
- 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.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience designing CMOS image sensors
- Experience testing/characterizing CMOS image sensors
- Knowledge of Integrated circuit layout.
- Good mathematical ability and knowledge of statistics.
- Strong written, verbal and presentation skills and a publication track record
- Experience in collaboration and leadership skills
- Interest in Medical applications.

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 (https://www.ucc.ie/en/hr/benefits/).
- 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

The duration of the project is 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 UCC Senior Postdoctoral Researcher Salary Scale €55,399-€60,250.  Placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

For further information, please contact to Dr. Daniel O' Hare. (https://www.tyndall.ie/people/daniel-ohare/)

Closing date of applications is 1pm, 11th November 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.

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