Postdoctoral Researcher/Senior Postdoc Researcher: Visible laser technologies for AR applications
Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term


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:

III-V Materials and Devices Group @Tyndall

We are a research group exploring photonic devices and their integration into circuits for applications in communications, biophotonics, sensing and quantum. We are part of the Photonics Centre at Tyndall with a vibrant and expanding world-class research ecosystem comprising more than 200 researchers with activities that include photonic theory, III-V and III-Nitride material epitaxy, photonic integration, hybrid integration and packaging together with applications in microelectronics, bio-photonics and communication systems. Tyndall hosts the Research Ireland funded Irish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC) a €30M initiative with 30 industry partners, including large multinationals, indigenous companies and start-ups. Tyndall has a proactive entrepreneurial culture and we welcome applications from candidates who possess entrepreneurial and creative skills/experience, including the creation of technology start-ups.

About the Role:

We are seeking an outstanding and highly motivated Senior Postdoctoral Researcher (or Postdoctoral Researcher) to join Tyndall and play a leading role in a newly funded Horizon Europe project (Duration: 3.5 years) developing next-generation visible-spectrum photonic integrated circuit (PIC) light engines for augmented reality (AR) glasses.

This ambitious programme targets scalable, high-efficiency, and compact light sources for wearable AR systems, combining advanced III–V optoelectronics with heterogeneous photonic integration. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership for Tyndall’s activities and contribute strategically to the overall project direction within a high-profile European consortium. The Researcher will lead and execute research activities in:

• Laser diode (LD) and superluminescent diode (SLD) design and fabrication
• Micro-transfer printing technologies (a core enabling technology pioneered at Tyndall)
• Heterogeneous integration of III–V emitters onto photonic platforms
• Device characterization, performance optimization, and reliability assessment
• Coordination of technical deliverables within an international consortium of academic, SME, and industrial partners

What We Offer

• A leadership role in a high-visibility Horizon Europe project
• Access to state-of-the-art III–V fabrication and photonics integration facilities at Tyndall
• Opportunity to shape next-generation AR light engine technologies
• Collaboration with leading European academic and industrial partners
• A dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment
• The initial appointment is for 2 years, with possibility of extension subject to funding.

Key responsibilities

• Engage with project partners (internally and externally) to understand the requirements and communicate the results
• Plan and coordinate the tasks and experiment activities according to the project timelines
• Conduct the device fabrication/processing in the cleanroom
• Perform the device characterisation and analysis using various equipment and in the test laboratories
• Regularly report and communicate the results to the team and the team leader
• Disseminate the scientific results of the project, by attending workshops, seminars, and domestic and international conferences
• Publish high-impact journal papers to enhance the visibility and peer recognition
• To assume a role in the design as well as the execution of research, contributing significantly to the development of research proposals and funding successes
• To secure competitive research funding for research proposals
• To interact closely with postgraduate research students who are studying for a Masters or a PhD and have an agreed role in supporting these students in their day to day research in conjunction with the supervisor or supervision team.
• 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 degree in either photonics, physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or other relevant fields.
• Typically 6 years’ experience (Senior Postdoctoral Researcher) but no less than 2 years’ postdoctoral research experience (Postdoctoral Researcher) or equivalent work experience in the industry sector.
• Strong expertise on III-V material based (GaN, GaAs, or InP) device fabrication with adequate cleanroom experience, including LEDs, LDs, VCSELs, etc
• Relevant publications on high-impact journals and presentations on international conferences or patents if coming from industry

Desired Criteria

• Experience on III-nitrides (i.e. AlInGaN) materials and devices, especially with expertise on LDs or SLDs
• Experience on photonics integration process and packaging techniques
• With knowledge or capabilities of designing and fabricating the photonics integrated circuits (PICs)
• Highly self-motivated and ability to take initiative.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Having supervised postgraduate students.
• Experience of applying for and securing funding.

Terms of Employment:

Contract Category: Full-Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term, 24 months with possibility for extension based on the availability of funding and progress.

Appointment may be made either on the Post-Doctoral Researcher Salary Scale €46,805- €53,391or Senior Postdoctoral Researcher Scale €54,850- €59,654 per annum, depending on experience. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Zhi Li.

Closing date for applications for this position is Thursday April 9th. 

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.

A full candidate information pack is available to download by clicking here.

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.