Research Fellow – Materials Development – Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Research Fellow – Materials Development – Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDs) and Oxide Semiconductors (OSC)

Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term

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).

Purpose of the Role

The purpose of this role is to design & implement a specific research programme in association with the Principal Investigator to support the development of Tyndall’s TMD and SOC activity in the NanoIC Pilot Line. You will report to, be directed by and be under the supervision of the Principal Investigator assigned to this activity. The research fellow will be embedded in the Advanced Surfaces and Materials Group in charge of the materials development of TMD and OSC films and will engage with other research groups responsible for materials modelling and device fabrication.

This role is a prestigious role which represents a step change from Post-Doctoral researcher roles. Your work will be performed in accordance with the Institute’s integrity policy and all other relevant policies.

You will have dual goals in terms of the research project and your own career development. The training and development relevant to this position will be completed within the period of your contract in which time you will continue to develop skills and competencies with respect to the role and your future career options.

The Tyndall National Institute will provide the successful candidate with the individual training and development required to build a successful Senior Researcher career.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

- Work with the supervisor and other team members in idea and strategy generation to deliver the outputs of the project and to contribute to raising the profile of this activity.
- Coordinate and execute the implementation of experimental work including the development of new growth processes, fundamental materials characterisation, presentation and interpretation of data. Specifically, for NanoIC these include:

- Conduct literature reviews on TMD and SOC materials to benchmark new data against existing knowledge.
- Develop atomic scale materials growth processes for both TMDs and SOCs.
- Fabricate thin-film TMD and SOC materials for integration into electronic devices by the wider team.
- Measure fundamental materials properties and determine how these are influenced by growth parameters.
- Collaborate with both the Tyndall NanoIC computational modelling and device fabrication teams to optimise material selection and integration.

- Utilise an independent approach to carry the project work forward including to proactively identify opportunities for external funding sources, prepare grant proposals and the assessment of research findings for potential commercial exploitation in collaboration with the PI.
- Collaborate with project partners, internal and external researchers and carry out any administrative and management work associated with the NanoIC technical deliverables.
- Support access to Tyndall’s offer within NanoIC as required by the Pilot Line access model for external users.
- Engage in the dissemination of the results to the relevant research stakeholders in the appropriate form such as reports result to team leaders, partners, and funding agencies and publications in the top-tier journals and at leading conferences in the field.
- Supervise and provide day-to-day advice, support, mentoring, and assistance to research graduates, students and other junior members, and contribute to the supervision of postdoctoral staff in the subject of materials development and characterisation.
- 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.
- Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

- PhD in materials sciences, engineering, chemistry, physics or related discipline and typically 6 years postdoctoral experience.
- Typically, 6 years of hands-on experience working on chemical vapour deposition, atomic layer deposition or similar material growth methods.
- Demonstrated knowledge of material science, relevant materials characterisation methods and the key attributes required for integration of developed materials into device process flows.
- A strong publication record in the growth of metal oxide or TMD materials.
- Capability of working effectively within a team to achieve results.
- A demonstrated capability in idea generation and the delivery – both technically and operationally – of successful research projects.
- Established track record of supervision and mentoring of researchers and students.

Desirable Criteria

- Evidence of entrepreneurial experience and creative skills/creativity.
- Demonstrate an ability to manage self, time, resources and people to enable a high level of personal effectiveness.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- An ability to identify research challenges and opportunities within the semiconductor materials field.
- A thorough understanding of the research environment both nationally and internationally and the ability to contribute substantially to grant applications.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the policy, practices and procedures that are relevant to the role.
- Highly self-motivated, be able to demonstrate initiative and commitment to develop own transferable skills, profile and reputation to advance own career after the end of the contract period.

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.

- 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 Centre 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.
- Opportunities for mentoring and day-to-day technical supervision of postgraduate (PhD, Masters) and undergraduate students.
- Opportunities for Outreach and Public Engagement activities.
- Support for preparation of competitive research proposals.

Tyndall National Institute 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.

Appointment may be made on the UCC Postdoctoral Salary Scale €63,958 – €69,692 p.a. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

The duration of the contract is a for a fixed term of approximately 24 months with the possibility to extend by 18 months upon the availability of funding, satisfactory performance, mutual agreement and a detailed career development plan.

Informal enquiries concerning this position can be made to Ian Povey

Closing date for application is 7th February 2025.

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. 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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