Research Fellow – RFID Sensor Tags 

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.

Role Description
Over the past decade, RFID has gained substantial attention across a range of Internet of Things (IoT) applications, from access control and e-health management to the Meeting, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. Its appeal lies in its low cost, compactness, and simplicity of deployment. Passive RFID tags, in particular, are attractive because they are battery-free and powered solely by the energy transmitted from the RFID reader. Integration of sensing capabilities in the RFIF tag architecture to acquire critical environmental data, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, motion, and chemical composition, will revolutionize many sectors of high societal and economic importance, including healthcare and security, food cold-chain supply logistic, museum inventory management, to mention a few.

Building on this foundation, this project—funded by ARC-HUB—seeks to develop next-generation antenna for RFID tags with integrated sensing capabilities. In the context of frozen food supply chains, these novel antennas will not only transmit a package’s unique identification number but also indicate whether the product has been exposed to temperatures above zero, by altering the input impedance of the tag. This sensing mechanism is designed to be seamless: when illuminated by a standard UHF RFID reader, the tag will transmit a different identification code depending on the sensed temperature state. In this way, the proposed technology transforms passive RFID from a simple tracking tool into a low-cost, disposable sensing platform for cold-chain accountability.

The successful candidate joining this project will become part of the newly established and dynamic Wireless Communications Laboratory. They will engage in cutting-edge antenna research at the intersection of wireless communications and advanced materials, with the opportunity to collaborate with world-leading experts in both fields. The candidate will also gain access to state-of-the-art facilities, including material processing laboratories, mm-wave to sub-THz characterization systems, antenna measurement chambers, and advanced manufacturing infrastructure. This environment provides an exceptional platform for developing the next generation of RFID sensing technologies with direct societal impact.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out independent research in the area of RFID antenna, including antennas and auxiliary circuitry, with clear innovation and commercial potential and take a leading role in further development of the research programme.
• Design of RFID tags and auxiliary circuitry using electro-magnetic modelling software packages (CST Studio Suite) and their testing in a laboratory setting using Vector Network Analyzer (VNA), RFID interrogator and anechoic chamber.
• Active liaison with PCB manufacturers in order to ensure rapid turnaround of designed structures.
• Publish in highly esteemed and high impact IEEE journals and conferences.
• With guidance, work and provide help on collaborative research projects, undertaken by the Wireless Communications Laboratory.
• Progress reports, literature reviews and participation in conferences are to be expected.
• Engage in education and public outreach activities as required.
• Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Quality Management System and uphold Health and Safety standards.
• Perform additional duties as reasonably required within the scope and level of the role, such as supervision of post-graduate students as co-supervisor and assist and mentoring early-stage research in the research group.

Essential Criteria

• The candidate must have a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering or a related discipline with at least 5 years of research experience. In addition, the candidate is expected to have a proven track record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications in the area of antenna and/or microwave engineering (e.g., filters, passive or active microwave circuits), manifested in the publications or patent portfolios.
• Proven track record in securing independent research funding with adequate project management experience and ability to work independently on research projects.
• Essential knowledge and practical experience in the design and modelling of different RF and microwave devices (printed circuits and sensors, antennas, antenna arrays and filters).
• Excellent hands-on experience in device testing (free-space measurements, anechoic chamber, near-field and far-field antenna measurements, spectro-polarimetric measurements, VNA, spectral analysis) and RF/material characterization (on-wafer, waveguide and free-space measurements, complex dielectric permittivity).
• Understanding of multi-physics analysis and simulations.
• Understanding of modern RFID technologies and applications.
• Self-motivated, dynamic and collaborative.
• Strong communication and interactive skills and ability to provide leadership to small research teams.   

Desirable Criteria

• Good mathematical skills and knowledge of mathematical modelling tools such as MATLAB, PYTHON.
• Good skill and knowledge in using CAD electromagnetic simulators, such as CST Studio Suite, Ansys HFSS.
• Good understanding of broad wireless communication concepts – system level analyses, channel propagation models, multi-path propagation and cross-interference suppression and their influence on hardware design. 
• Good understanding of the limits of relevant fabrication techniques, such as 3D printing, injection moulding and PCB etching and their influence on RF hardware.

Funding Information
The ARC Hub Programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regional Programmes - the Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027 and the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027. 
More information: https://www.sfi.ie/funding/funding-calls/sfi-arc-hub-programme/ 

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 Type: Part Time/Fixed Term (1.5 years approx.)

For any informal queries, please contact Dr Senad Bulja.
Date for application is 1pm on Friday 12th June 2026

Appointment will be on the Research Fellow level (UCC Researcher salary scales), €59,654-€72,514 per annum on a part-time basis (70% of Full-time employment). Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

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.