Programme Manager – FAMES

Programme Manager – FAMES
Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term

About Tyndall:

Tyndall National Institute is Ireland’s largest Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) and a flagship Institute of University College Cork. Specialising in both electronics and photonics, Tyndall is Ireland’s R&D hub on semiconductor technologies and works with global industry and academia to transform research into products in its core market areas of electronics, communications, energy, health, agri-tech and the environment. With a network of over 200 industry partners and customers worldwide, Tyndall is focused on delivering human and economic impact from excellence in research. Tyndall is home to a research community of over 650 people of more than 50 nationalities.

Background to the Role:

Within Tyndall’s research programme for Integrated Power Management for Energy-efficient high performance computing, we have developed world leading platform technologies for the heterogeneous integration of high-efficiency miniaturised passive components. These platform technologies are to be further developed and offered through the €1Billion Chips Joint Undertaking (JU) FAMES Pilot Line. 

The FAMES Pilot Line is the result of a remarkable European cross-border collaboration. The consortium, led by CEA-Leti, Grenoble, France, is composed of 4 Hosting Sites (CEA-Leti, Tyndall, VTT, Finland and SAL, Austria) and includes other research providers such as imec (Belgium), Fraunhofer (Germany), CEZAMAT WUT (Poland), Universities with UC Louvain (Belgium), Grenoble INP (France) and Universidad of Granada (Spain), and the European Association SiNANO. FAMES is co-funded for the period of 2024-2028 by the European Commission and national agencies as part of the targeted initiatives of the EU Chips Act.

With the goal of transferring results to the EU semiconductor industry, the FAMES Pilot Line will develop advanced technologies offering 2 generations of Fully-Depleted Silicon-on-Insulator (FD-SOI) at 10nm and 7nm nodes, addressing the surging demand for FD-SOI technology. This FD-SOI platform will be enhanced with integrated non-volatile memory, radiofrequency components, 3D options, and thin-film magnetic inductors to improve power management.

In FAMES, the development of Tyndall demonstrators will unlock the innovation potential of our technology platforms by enabling new applications (e.g., IoT and 6G) and creating additional demand by industry clients locked into the FD-SOI ecosystem. We will bring world-leading expertise, capabilities and international profile in integrated magnetics and power management to create miniaturised inductors and develop micro-transfer printing of power passives and PMICs (power management ICs) that will enable European companies to build their global competitiveness in Power Supply in Package (PSiP) and Power Supply on Chip (PwrSOC) with the ultimate goal of developing leadership in the area of integrated, granular power management on the FDSOI platform.

Purpose of the Role:

Applications are invited for a Programme Manager to support and enable the research activities of the FAMES Pilot Line Researchers and their projects. The successful candidate will act as a Programme Champion, creating an environment for teamwork, collaboration, open communications and ownership required to ensure a highly successful programme. This will include monitoring of all research programmes, facilitating timely delivery of commercialisation outputs, managing partner company engagements (in partnership with Business Development and the Technology Transfer Office) and the monitoring and reporting of Key Performance Indicators and deliverables. They will establish, develop and execute best-in-class programme and project management processes that will ensure timely delivery, within budget, of multiple, complex and high value, multi-year, and multi-group projects. They will work with Tyndall’s EU Programmes Office to explore and contribute to the internationalisation of the FAMES programme through EU and international project collaborations.  The candidate will build close working relationships with the research teams within Tyndall, international academic collaborators and industry partners. They will also contribute to the continued development of a ‘high engagement/high performance” working environment amongst all staff.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Programme, project and budget management for platform research and industry driven projects. This includes:

• Establishment of detailed programme databases, project plans and targets / deliverables/ milestones 
• Continuous monitoring of progress against plans, performance indicators and arrangement of regular project review meetings 
• Preparation and management of project budgets from kick-off to project closure including finance projections and burn rates to provide guidance on project resource assignments ensuring adequate time and budget allocation for each project
• Develop and implement business processes to ensure all deliverables are kept on track and to streamline overall project management
• Monitoring the inventory of research infrastructure available to the programme and take responsibility for managing the procurement of new equipment as required 

Strategic planning of the research programme and industry engagement:

• Liaison with internal and external stakeholders to inform and oversee the strategic planning of the FAMES research programme and industry engagement
• Identify opportunities to engage in EU-funded proposals and assist in their development (proposal meetings) in collaboration with the Tyndall EU Programmes Office 
• Liaise with the researchers and the Commercial Centre team to amplify existing industry partnerships
• Communication on progress to stakeholders via reports and meetings

Visible technology transfer of IP generated so that it delivers the best economic outcome for Ireland:

• Develop and maintain a research innovation strategy
• Liaise with the researchers, TTO and the Commercial Centre team to identify and protect IP that emerges from the projects 
• Work with the TTO and the Commercial Centre team to exploit licensing opportunities where appropriate
• Track direct economic benefits as a result of IP transfer to partner companies

Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Health and Safety standards and with Tyndall’s Quality Management System with a focus on continuous improvement.

Additional duties as may be reasonably required within the scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria:

• PhD in a science, engineering or relevant discipline or equivalent research experience
• Typically, 6 years’ experience in R&D programme management and/or project management
• Experience in the management of national and international research projects and related management of project budgets valued at over €1M
• Proven track record of managing research activities in industry driven projects and fostering industry engagement through stakeholder collaboration 
• Experience in strategic planning, R&D innovation
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as taking a leadership role

Desirable Criteria:

• Demonstrated ability in leading high performing technical teams with successful outcomes
• Qualification in project management or innovation and commercialisation or related business administration topic, ideally at postgraduate level
• Strong communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills
• Experience of drafting national and international research proposals
• Experience in Intellectual Property (IP) management, Technology Transfer and exploitation
• Experience and track record in the use of KPIs to monitor and track performance
• Domain expertise in materials and devices applied to semiconductor technologies

What we Offer:

We offer progressive employment and training policies including opportunities for further studies. At Tyndall we value Ambition, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence and Integrity. You will be supported throughout to grow your skillset and learn how to adapt in new challenges to develop your career.

You will avail of:

• Individual Development Plans – Staff work with their managers to create detailed career “roadmaps” that take into account their interests and career aspirations as well as the business needs of their Organisational Unit and the Institute
• Learning & Development Opportunities – Staff can take advantage of learning and development opportunities, including leadership and management development skills, project management, industry and job specific learning, and including general business, finance, and technology skills

Terms of Employment:

Appointment may be made on the Grade 6A Admin II Scale B range € 71,331 - € 90,355 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy. 

The duration of the contract is a for a fixed term of approximately 24 months with the possibility to extend upon the availability of funding, satisfactory performance, mutual agreement and a detailed career development plan.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Giorgos Fagas 
Closing date for application is 1pm, Friday 5th September 2025.
 

Application Instructions:

Please make sure to attach an up-to-date CV 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.
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