Senior Postdoctoral Researcher in III-Nitride Materials Growth and Development
Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term

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 position is in the Nitride Materials and Devices group at Tyndall, which is led by Prof Peter Parbrook. The team consists of 2 postdoctoral researchers and 2 students, who collaborate strongly with the theory and III-V devices teams within the institute. 

About the Role
Tyndall are looking for a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher for III-N materials growth and development.  The appointee will undertake research on novel III-N materials and their characterisation.  The candidate will be expect to lead the day-to-day collaboration with UK teams on an existing award into the preparation of Ultra-Wide Bandgap III-N electronic devices, and a forthcoming award into the preparation and test of ultrawide bandgap materials to understand their defect behaviour.  In addition, the candidate will be expected to leverage their  experience and expertise to exploit their new funding opportunities appropriate to their career state.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Epitaxial growth using MOVPE of III-N materials, particularly in AlGaN system
• Support the maintenance of the MOVPE tool
• Structural Characterisation of III-N materials using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy
• Electrical and Optical Charactersation of III-N materials using Hall and CV measurements, and photoluminescence techniques
• Leading collaboration interactions with partner institutions
• Identifying routes to commercial exploitation of the research results.
• Publishing journal papers and conference presentations
• Identifying and proactively engaging with routes to attract their own research funding.
• Supporting Students at both postgraduate and undergraduate level.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities.
• 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.

Essential Criteria

• PhD in Electronic Engineering, or equivalent cognate discipline, specializing in III-Nitrides semiconductor epitaxial growth and devices.
• Significant experience in the use of metalorganic vapour phase epitaxial tools to prepare III-N semiconductors, including the use of the Aixtron Showerhead design, to include a demonstrated ability to carry out basic maintenance of an MOVPE tool and its support infrastructure.
• Experience in using advanced X-ray diffraction techniques for epitaxial layer analysis, including reciprocal space mapping, strain and structural analysis, and capability to use atomic force and scanning electron microscopy to critically evaluate epitaxial film structures.
• Experience and ability to undertake optical and electrical characterisation including Hall measurements including the ability to critically evaluate the experimental results, and an understanding of the safe operation of lasers in spectroscopy.
• Track record in engaging and leading in collaborative research projects with other institutions to a high level as a researcher.
• Track record in showing the capability and desire to apply for research funding

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of entrepreneurial experience and creative skills/creativity
• Strong team working ethic in collaboration with a research group and with others in a research department/institute
• Experience in supervising undergraduate and postgraduate student projects and in delivering teaching to students.

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

Appointment may be made on the Senior Post-Doctorate Researcher Scale (new entrants) salary €55,399 - €60,250 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 Peter Parbrook
Closing date for this position is 1pm, 31st July 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.