Phd Student

PhD student - Transition Metal Dichalcogenide (TMD) Electronic Devices.
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 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 650 people of over 50 nationalities.

Background to the Role
Within Tyndall's Micro Nano Systems Centre, we have created a strategic research programme focusing on materials, emerging devices and architectures for future information processing, interfacing with CMOS and beyond ("CMOS++ Materials & Devices").

CMOS++ is involved in the Chips JU NanoIC pilot line co-funded by the European Commission and national agencies as part of the targeted initiatives of the EU Chips Act.
The implementation of the Chips JU pilot lines is expected to bridge the gap from lab to fab and will be available to a wide range of users, including academia, industry and research institutions.

The NanoIC pilot line is the result of a remarkable European cross-border collaboration.
Hosted by imec (Belgium), its partners include CEA-Leti (France), Fraunhofer (Germany), VTT (Finland), CSSNT (Romania) and Tyndall National Institute (Ireland).

NanoIC targets semiconductor technologies that will shape tomorrow's high-tech solutions.
One of the main goals is to develop the process steps and modules that enable these technologies.
This will result in stable 'platform' baseline flows with a high technology readiness level (TRL 4-6).

These technologies are situated in three research pillars:
1.
Advanced logic technologies
2.
Advanced memory technologies
3.
Advanced interconnect technologies

In NanoIC, Tyndall's flexibility into materials integration will allow for rapid, short-cycle screening to reduce the cycle time in identifying and integrating highly performing materials to carry forward into IC development.
Our role is to provide agile wafer scale nanofabrication and processing beyond silicon for the integration of selected new materials – Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDs) and oxide semiconductor (OSC) – and FET device architectures.
The goal is to develop a material platform for embedded DRAM and above IC functionality, thereby providing a key technology block to enable leading-edge ICs.

We now wish to hire a PhD student in thin-film transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) devices for semiconductor technology applications. Key ResponsibilitiesConduct literature review on TMD materials and field-effect transistor (FET) devices to benchmark new data against existing knowledge.Fabricate thin-film TMD electronic devices, and extract field-effect transistor (FET) and Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) figures of merit.Draw conclusions on device figures of merit extracted, based on semiconductor device physics.Explore to what extent integration and fabrication affect the electrical behaviour in TMD-based devices, and correlate with material properties through hybrid metrology.Tasks will incorporate electrical testing of the fabricated devices, and development of a methodology for metrology of TMD thin-film devices on a variety substrates.
These studies will provide an excellent base for a career both in academia and in the high-value industry.

Other tasks includeEngage in the dissemination of the results to the relevant research stakeholders in the appropriate form such as reports result to team leaders, partners, and publications in the top-tier journals and at leading conferences in the field.Communicate the benefits of the research to wider society through active participation in several Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.Engage in appropriate training and development opportunities to develop own transferable skills, career and reputation.Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management system.Ensure all activities are compliant with the required Health and Safety standards.Essential CriteriaThe minimum academic qualification is a 1st or upper 2nd class honours degree (or an equivalent international degree) in physics, electronic engineering, or related discipline.Knowledge in semiconductor physics.High degree of ownership and objectivity.
Self-motivation, initiative, and being achievement-oriented.
Hands on and flexible attitude.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Good presentation abilities, excellent written and oral English level.Capability of working effectively within a team to achieve results.
Able to work well with team members and project partners outside Tyndall. 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.

As an equal opportunity employer we offer a comprehensive suite of flexible working and family friendly initiatives.
A list of such initiatives is available on our webpage.

Tyndall has an Athena Swan Bronze award, reflecting our commitment to ensuring equity of opportunity for all researchers regardless of gender or ethnicity.
We are actively improving our internal processes to build on the Athena Swan award and have a vibrant People and Culture team driving initiatives.

Tyndall has an active EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) group which delivers initiatives to enhance EDI within the Institute.

At Tyndall, your work will shape the future contributing to technology innovation for Ireland's economy and the society at large.
As a key national institute, Tyndall's world-class research teams perform ground-breaking research with an 'excellent impact from excellent research' philosophy.

An annual student stipend of €25,000 applies for this successful candidate for this position.
Yearly University academic fees will paid by the Tyndall National Institute.

Informal enquiries concerning this position can be made to Ray Duffy.
Closing date for application is 1pm on 8th August 2025.

Application Instructions
Please make sure to attach an up-to-date CV/Resume AND a brief cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria for this role.

Postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency as per UCC regulations (>).
Certificates should be valid (usually less than 2 years old) and should be uploaded with their application.
Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the 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.

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