Research Assistant For The Development Of Electrochemical Sensors For Aquaculture
 

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 Life Science Interface (LSI) Group at Tyndall, which comprises of >25 research staff and students, is exploring the interface between the semiconductor enabled technology capabilities and the life sciences. Its ambition is to be the conduit for new enabling tools for cross-disciplinary endeavours in the molecular, cellular and whole-body environments. Research themes encompass diagnostics (sensing) and therapeutics (actuation) with application areas spanning medicine, biotechnology and environment. The breadth of on-going activities is funded by national and international funding agencies, as well as industry partners.
In addition to the state of the art research infrastructure available through Tyndall (https://www.tyndall.ie/about-us/infrastructure/), the specialist infrastructure of the LSI group includes dedicated research labs for design, fabrication and testing of in vitro, wearable, minimally invasive and implantable devices, with specialists equipment including 3D printers, injection moulding, ultrasonic bonding, dedicated labs for biofluids, instrument development and cell culture.

About the Role:

Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork invites applications for a position as a Researcher for the development of electrochemical sensors for aquaculture in the Life Sciences Interface Group. This is an exciting opportunity for you to help define and implement applied research in fast-moving, industry relevant area. The position would be for 9 months with the potential for an extension. You will collaborate with a multi-disciplinary industry-aligned team of researchers and engineers, with a focus on developing multiparameter wearable electrochemical sensors, including multiparameter sensor design and functionalisation with the relevant conducting and passivation layers, and with the specific capture molecules for the target biomarkers. Extensive sensor characterisation will be performed for each of the target biomarkers, and the successful candidate will collaborate closely with European project consortium partners.

Technical activities will include evaluation of current state of the art and the associated IP landscape, definition of user requirements specifications based on the proposed application scenario, design of experiments as appropriate for testing and comprehensive characterisation of the novel sensor devices, including the design of test setups as applicable for lab-based evaluation of the devices. The position will involve preparation of technical reports, invention disclosures, presentations to internal and external stakeholders, and potential travel to meetings with relevant stakeholders.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Head of the Life Sciences Interface Group or their nominee, you will:

• Contribute to selected tasks of sensor device design, fabrication and characterisation under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator/Project Leader.
• Work with a multi-disciplinary commercially-aligned Tyndall team of researchers and engineers, with a focus on developing and testing multiparameter sensor devices.
• To engage in appropriate professional training and development and professional development opportunities as required by the Principal Investigator, School or College in order to develop research skills and competencies.
• Drive innovation in the project, through evaluation of current state of the art and the associated IP landscape; precise definition of user requirements specifications in conjunction with the project team and relevant stakeholders; design, testing and characterisation of novel sensor devices, and design of test devices / systems for lab-based evaluation of the device(s).
• Prepare technical reports, invention disclosures and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist the Head of the Life Sciences Interface (LSI) Group or their nominee to engage relevant stakeholders including representatives of funding agency, potential end users of the proposed sensor system, project collaborators and /or investors as applicable.
• Ensure excellence in the delivery of all research outputs, including technical reports, filed intellectual property, prototypes and demonstrators.
• 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:

• A Bachelor's degree (Level 8) in Science or Engineering in a relevant field.
• Postgraduate experience in development and application of electrochemical imunosensors.
• Evidence of experience working on biofunctionalization of electrochemical sensors.
• A capability of working within a project team to achieve results.
• Good communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.

• A post graduate degree related to electrochemical sensors development or an equivalent field
• Experience in developing novel healthtech sensors and systems compliant with regulatory requirements.

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.

Contract Category: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Duration: 9 Months

Appointment may be made on the Research Assistant Scale 1 (new entrants) salary €33,791 - €43,872 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to : Dr Luiza Wasiewska, Senior Researcher, Life Sciences Interface Group, Tyndall National Institute ([email protected]).

Closing date for applications for this position is March 19th 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.