Principal Researcher in Analog Mixed-Signal IC Design – Data Converters
Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term
Purpose of the Role
Microelectronic Circuits Centre Ireland (MCCI) is an EI / IDA technology centre hosted at the Tyndall National Institute Cork. Our mission is to provide industry-led world-class Analog, Mixed-Signal and RF integrated circuit research and to deliver trained people and IP to industry. MCCI is already collaborating with 35 companies and many of the staff eventually transfer into the thriving microelectronics industry in Ireland or abroad. MCCI targets real-life applications with its research and currently has projects in diverse topics such as DNA detection for food safety, next generation communications, bio-sensing, and imaging for medical applications and early cancer detection and many more. As microelectronic IC's are manufactured in ever smaller geometries the performance of Analogue and Mixed-Signal circuits degrade while at the same time digital logic becomes more powerful, smaller, and lower power. Applications associated with sensing and digitizing the real world signals in the "Internet of Things" (IOT) is placing multiple challenges on the analog & mixed signal Integrated Circuits (IC's) that are required to enable the next generation of Edge AI, cloud computing, data servers, medical, IoT and general Industrial applications.
Microelectronics Circuits Centre of Ireland (MCCI) invites applications for the position of Principal Researcher (PI ) in Analog Mixed Signal IC Design-Data Converters i.e. Precision noise shaping SAR ADC's / DACs, Sigma-Delta topologies and Sample-Rate Clocking required for precision high speed data conversion.
Reporting to the head of group in MCCI, this is an exciting opportunity for you to lead, define and implement applied research projects in IC designed on cutting edge CMOS analog and mixed signal data converters in a variety of key industry relevant areas. You will collaborate with multi-disciplinary research team at Tyndall National institute and other industry-aligned researchers with expertise in systems design of Industrial IOT and Edge AI related core hardware and software design to execute industry defined applied research projects.
Key activities will include leading and growing a team of applied researchers in IC design, addressing the challenges in microelectronics CMOS system design in order to deliver high performance, low power robust data convertor circuit solutions for applications ranging from Industrial Instrumentation, IOT and Edge AI computing to lateral applications in medical/biomedical. The role includes directing microelectronic analog and mixed signal architecture & design IP, device test and system hardware design, team building, project management, researcher supervision, holding critical reviews of student theses and publications. Also involved in the role is travel to project meetings at client / partner sites as applicable, and to international conferences, workshops, industry meetings and project proposal meetings.
The Role
You will be required to develop and lead a research strategy roadmap for IC design of Robust Precision data converters and noise shaping SAR ADC's/ DAC's and clocking which is informed or lead by Industry inputs. You will leverage current MCCI core funding, but you will also be required to secure additional national and/or international research funding to enable expansion of your PhD and post-decorate research team on Precision Data Converters. You will also lead and coordinate the integrated circuit (IC) research and demonstrator deployment of a range of applications including but not limited to high precision and high speed data converters, and ASICs for Industrial Edge AI applications. You will publish research results in TIER 1 publications of the IEEE, develop circuit demonstrators for our industry partners, and target TRL-5 to TRL-7 developments on IC research. You will be a member of MCCI and lead a research team(s) involved in the IC design, development, assembly and testing of high precision data converters circuits. You will have expertise in system specification, testing of IC chip and sensor solutions with activities ranging from microelectronic circuit design, communications protocols, test chip / proto-type performance characterization and system testing in our laboratories.
Key Responsibilities
* Support the Director and Head of Group (HOG) of MCCI to engage with relevant stakeholders including representatives of Government departments, funding agencies, industry organisations, multinational, indigenous companies and clinical groups.
* Provide microelectronic research vison and strategy for high speed precision data conversion circuits, enabling an upscaling PhD and post doc team and provide principal investigator leadership of the research team.
* Have ambitious plans for your personal research as a Principal Investigator and that of the team and continually identify research challenges and opportunities within the team's area of expertise
* Drive innovation in precision data conversion circuits through collaborations with the relevant Tyndall Technology centres and application clusters.
* Provide a sustained and successful track-record in supervising PhD students to completion and achieve successful Tier1 publications and presentations of high impact conference, journal and influential position papers.
* Ensure excellence in the quality and delivery of all research outputs.
* Occasionally serve on prestigious workshop and conference organising committees, deliver invited talks and leverage a strong international network of collaborators.
* Be committed to professional development of your own career and acts as a mentor and positive role model for post docs researchers and PhD students and foster an inclusive cooperative work environment encouraging teamwork.
* Coordinate, manage and lead large scale research projects
* Seek, Create or Lead EU/other consortium projects.
* Establish and support research activities to sustain and grow the Precision High Speed Data Conversion Circuits research groups within MCCI.
* Partner with Tyndall's Business Development, and Tyndall teams to engage with potential customers and collaborators to scope out new projects.
* Leading a portfolio of collaborative projects with strategic industry, and/or academic partners on precision circuits, and other applications.
* Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities
* Ensure compliance with Tyndall's Quality Management and Health & Safety standards.
* Additional duties as may be reasonably required within the scope and level of the post.
Essential Criteria
* A BEng, Masters or PhD degree in Electronic Engineering or a relevant discipline of science and engineering, and 10+ years of Industry experience in leading research and developments of state of the art CMOS Precision Data convertor integrated circuit (IC) designs and have good working knowledge of application challenges.
* Demonstrated ability to successfully develop and lead multiple research or development projects in the areas of high speed CMOS data precision converters architectures and design through to tape-out and test characterization.
* Demonstrated ability to work independently and guide collaborations across organisations, functions and research or development teams.
* The successful candidate should have a significant and growing tier-one publications or conference presentation record or patents filed or granted
* The successful candidate will have very good interpersonal, communications and organizational skills.
* Has good industry relationships that can generate high levels of return in development or a direct funding perspective.
* Has experience in helping to securing research & development budgets / resources in Industry or research institutes leading to technology developments.
* Has knowledge transfer experience across Industry organisations or research Institutes e.g. patents and other outreach activities to external organisations
Desirable Criteria
* Significant industry or research leadership experience in analog IC design in any of the following areas, analog mixed-signal integrated circuits, data converters (A/D, D/A) circuit topologies.
* Served on prestigious workshop and conference organisations or delivered on invited talks
* Made a substantial contribution to the data converter research and developments across many end applications.
* Developed a strategic vision on the future of data converter technology research and development in Industry or Research Institute.
* Proven track record of successfully leading and supervising/mentoring IC Design Engineers or researchers (Masters or PhD's) to project completion.
* Track record of customer or research client collaboration, management and development.
* Experience in preparation of competitive research technical proposals for national and international funding programme or for Industry roadmap generation.
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.
Terms of Employment
Contract Category: Full-Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term (4 months)
Appointment will be made on Grade 7 Admin 1 Scale B €84,422 - €111,211 p.a. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector on point 1 of the salary scale.
Multiple appointments may also be made at lower grade depending on candidate experience.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Vishal Jagtap, Head of Group MCCI, or Mr John Morrissey, Executive Director Microelectronics Circuit Centre of Ireland (MCCI).
Closing date of applications is 1pm, 21st 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.
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.
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