PhD in Scalable Neuromorphic Photonic Circuits and Interconnects
Position available at Tyndall National Institute in Cork, Ireland.
Contract
Full Time / Fixed Term – 4-year PhD funded by the SPEAR Centre.
Project Description
The SPEAR (Semiconductor and Photonics Education and Research) Centre, a €8.5 million cross-border research consortium funded by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), aims to build research capacity in integrated photonics and semiconductor technologies. This PhD will focus on the design and fabrication of neuromorphic photonic circuits that integrate computation and communication on a single platform. The research will develop physics‑based models of photonic neurons and interconnect fabrics, and co‑simulate with electronic control circuitry. A key innovation is adaptive calibration and reconfiguration mechanisms that detect performance drift or device faults and restore correct functionality during operation. The student will collaborate with consortium partners to design runtime monitoring and control algorithms that enhance the yield, stability, and resilience of large‑scale neuromorphic photonic systems and deliver final experimental demonstrators in collaboration with the Photonic Systems Group at Tyndall.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and validate compact models for neuromorphic photonic building blocks (microring and MZI weight banks, phase shifters, SOAs, etc.).
* Design WDM‑based photonic interconnects for neuromorphic architectures and assess their energy, latency, and fault tolerance.
* Develop adaptive control and calibration algorithms.
* Perform co‑simulation of photonic and electronic subsystems (e.g. using Python, Lumerical/Luceda, or VPI).
* Present research findings at key conferences and publish in high‑impact journals.
* Complete required PhD coursework, participate in group meetings, and contribute to outreach activities.
Qualifications
* First or upper second‑class honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in Physics or Electronic Engineering.
* Strong interest in neuromorphic or AI hardware architectures.
* Excellent analytical and programming skills (Python, MATLAB, or equivalent).
* Ability to work in a self‑sufficient manner and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
* Proficiency in written and spoken English.
* Experience with photonic circuit simulation tools (e.g. Lumerical INTERCONNECT, Luceda IPKISS, VPI Photonics, or others).
* Familiarity with mixed‑signal or FPGA‑based control systems.
* Knowledge of machine learning frameworks (e.g. PyTorch or TensorFlow).
* Prior research experience in integrated photonics or neuromorphic systems.
What We Offer
A fully funded PhD position that includes a stipend of €25,000 per year for up to four years and full coverage of academic fees. Doctoral students are registered as PhD students at University College Cork and will join a vibrant cohort of 15 students, travel to a bespoke induction programme, attend an annual training school, and access advanced courses in semiconductor fabrication, packaging and entrepreneurship.
Preferred Start Date
As soon as possible; the student must start prior to 1 April 2026, taking into account any administrative requirements (e.g. university approvals and visa where relevant).
Closing Date
17 November 2025.
Application Instructions
Please 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. 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.
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