Research Assistant – Mixed-Signal IC Designer for High-Speed SoCs

Research Assistant – Mixed-Signal IC Designer for High-Speed SoCs
Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term

About us

MCCI is Ireland’s national Microelectronics Circuits Research Centre. Hosted by Tyndall Research Institute (MCCI has a large team of researchers in silicon chip design, at various stages of their careers, from Masters researcher through to Principal Researcher and all are creating world leading, innovative and high impact technologies, which will shape our future lives. Specifically, MCCI’s mission is to carry out industry-driven, excellent research in areas such as Analog Precision Circuits, RF and High-Speed Transceivers, Cryogenic CMOS and Integrated Power Systems research. For more information, click here.

Context

Within the research area, RF and High-Speed Transceivers, applicant is sought for fully funded Research Assistant role developing the high-speed signal processing chains. The position is devoted to the development of back-end electronic silicon-based terahertz transmitters. You will design the ICs using the latest CMOS – BiCMOS technologies, simulate and experimentally validate the developed signal processors. You will also participate in testing fully integrated THz transceiver SoC performances and perform system demonstrations using the developed SoCs.

Key Responsibilities

- Design high-speed digital signal processing chains for terahertz transceivers using CMOS and BiCMOS technologies.

- Implement RTL designs for digital baseband processing and interface modules.

- Perform synthesis, timing analysis, and verification of digital circuits.

- Simulate and verify digital circuits using industry-standard EDA tools.

- Conduct post-layout simulations and validate designs through FPGA prototyping or silicon testing.

- Collaborate with RF and analog teams for digital and mixed-signal integration.

- Participate in system-level integration and testing of terahertz transceiver SoCs.

- Develop and execute test plans for functional verification, timing validation, and power analysis.

- Conduct literature reviews to stay updated on digital signal processing and IC design techniques.

- Collaborate with industrial partners and research groups within MCCI-Tyndall.

- Contribute to the publication of research findings in high-impact journals and conferences.

- Prepare technical reports, design documentation, and presentations for stakeholders.

- Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.

- 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(honours), Irish Masters or equivalent degree in Electrical / Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or in a related area, completed or close to completion.

- Strong background in digital IC design, including RTL design using VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog.

- Proficiency in signal processing architectures for high-speed transceivers.

- Hands-on experience with FPGA prototyping and ASIC development flows.

- Familiarity with EDA tools (Cadence, Synopsys, Mentor Graphics) for digital design and verification.

- Strong programming skills in MATLAB, Python, or C/C++ for modeling and analysis.

- Knowledge of hardware testing and validation methodologies.

- Ability to work in an interdisciplinary research environment with RF and mixed-signal teams.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Desirable criteria

- Evidence of entrepreneurial experience and creative skills/creativity

- Experience with CMOS/BiCMOS technology for high-speed digital circuits.

- Experience with PCB design tools such as Altium, KiCAD or similar.

- Experience with DSP algorithms for high-speed communication systems.

- Understanding of hardware/software co-design and embedded systems.

- Exposure to high-speed serial interfaces (e.g., SerDes, LVDS, DDR, PCIe).

- Familiarity with machine learning techniques for signal processing applications.

- Knowledge of THz communication and sensing systems.

- Prior experience with system-level simulations (MATLAB/Simulink, SystemC).

- Experience in low-power digital design and power optimization techniques.

- Ability to contribute to publications and technical reports.

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. 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.

Terms of Employment

Contract: Full-Time/Fixed Term (1 year)
Appointment may be made on the UCC Research Assistant Salary Scale € 33,291- € 43,372 p.a. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.

For more information and informal enquiries, please contact Vishal.Jagtap.
Closing date of application is 1pm, 28th November 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.
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.

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