Principal Researcher in IC Design for Cryogenic CMOS
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 cloud computing, data servers, medical, Io T and general Industrial applications.

Microelectronics Circuits Centre of Ireland (MCCI) invites applications for the position of Principal Researcher (PI) in IC Design for Cryogenic CMOS interfaces for quantum computing. 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 Cryogenic-CMOS analog and mixed signal interfaces in a variety of fast-moving, 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 quantum computing cores and system 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 at Cryogenic temperatures in order to deliver high performance, low power interface circuits solutions for applications ranging from Quantum Computing to lateral applications in Space grade electronics where extreme low temperatures are required as ambient. 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 a research strategy and roadmap for IC design of Cryogenic (Cryo) CMOS circuit interfaces for quantum computing, 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 or international research funding to enable expansion of your Ph D and post-decorate research team on Cryo-CMOS. You will publish research results in TIER 1 publications of the IEEE, develop circuit demonstrators for our industry partners. You will be a key member of MCCI’s technical leadership team and lead research activities in the design, development, assembly and testing of Cryo-CMOS circuit interfaces. In the individual contributor aspect of the role, you will have deep expertise in system specification, testing of IC chip and sensor solutions with activities ranging from Cryo-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, strategy and roadmap for Cryogenic-CMOS IC design interfaces for quantum computing, enabling an upscaling Ph D 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.
• Drive innovation in Cryo-CMOS circuits through internal and external collaborations, with consortia comprising industrial and academic partners
• Deliver a sustained and successful track-record in supervising Ph D 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 Ph D 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 Cryo- research activities within MCCI.
• Partner with Tyndall’s Business Development, and Tyndall teams to engage with potential customers and collaborators to scope out new projects.
• Be responsible for leading a portfolio of collaborative projects with strategic industry, and/or academic partners for Cryo-CMOS interfaces for quantum computing, and other applications.
• 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 Ph D degree in Electronics or a relevant discipline of science or engineering.
• Typically 10+ years’ of research and development experience on analogue and mixed-signal CMOS integrated circuit (IC) design
• Experience of the preparation of successful competitive research proposals for national and international funding programmes with collaborative partners.
• Evidence of successful ownership, budget management and execution of substantial funded research projects requiring innovative or high-performance analogue, mixed-signal designs and /or cryogenic-CMOS circuit designs from architecture through to tape-out and testing.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to develop and lead multiple design teams in the areas of IC Design and/or Cryo-CMOS.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and guide collaborations across organisations, functions, research teams and Industry partners.
• The successful candidate should have a significant and growing tier-one publishing, and /or conference presentation record or patents filed or granted.
• The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal, communications and organizational skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of entrepreneurial experience
• Evidence of creative skills/creativity
• Proven track record of successfully creating research 5- year roadmaps leading and supervising Ph D researchers to completion.
• Track record of customer or research client management and development.
• Experience in developing a strategy for advanced Product or Research development in IC design.
• Has successfully supervised Ph D students to completion
• Is committed to professional development of their own career and acts as mentor and positive role model for students and other research staff

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.

The appointment will be made on Grade 7 Admin B Scale € 81,947- € 107,950 p.a. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy and years of experience.

Multiple appointments may also be made at lower grade depending on candidate experience.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Vishal Jagtap or Mr John Morrissey.

Closing date of applications is 18th November 2024. 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.

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.

VUno95r ZRF