Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork is one of Europe's leading research centres, specialising in ICT hardware research, with ca 420 staff, students and academic & industrial visiting researchers. Tyndall undertakes internationally-leading research into information and communications technology.
Tyndall uses its facilities and expertise to support industry and academia nationally and provides large numbers of highly qualified graduate students, key to the development of Ireland’s national economy. Tyndall has over 200 industry partnerships and customers worldwide. Several start up companies in Ireland have been based on technology originating at Tyndall. The Institute’s researchers include 125 PhD and 10 Masters students, and 38 nationalities are represented within the institute at all levels, with its research published in 200 peer reviewed publications last year.
(MH-13) Principal Investigator - Energy Harvesting, Microsystems Job Description
The Microsystems Centre at the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork has more than 80 researchers, led by 12 Principal Investigators, and an annual budget of €4.5million. It is concerned with the development and application of nanotechnology, microelectronics integration and smart systems to deliver strategic technology platforms that will address key society challenges in energy, health and the environment. The research covers the breadth of the “atoms to systems” paradigm with particular focus on the convergence of microelectronics and microsystems whereby CMOS provides an intelligent platform for the miniaturisation and integration of non-standard functions such as sensors, actuators, power and cooling.
A key theme for the Centre is to develop a fundamental understanding of how to interface microelectronics with:
- the built and the natural environment to improve the sustainability of our natural resources (i.e. air, water, food, energy) and the quality of our environment through monitoring and control and
- the human body to enhance our health and well-being through diagnostics and therapeutics
Miniaturisation, autonomy and the life sciences interface are key drivers for the Centre’s research strategy. The miniaturisation agenda leverages the “More than Moore” space and focuses on the packaging and heterogeneous systems integration of a range of different materials, devices and circuits. Autonomy is focused on enabling appropriate communication with, and between, microsystems platforms, in terms of communications range, data rate and power as well as facilitating self-powering through the use of various forms of energy harvesting. The Life Sciences Interface addresses the issue of providing reliable transduction between the electronics/photonics regime and the built/natural environment or the human body.
Tyndall National Institute (Tyndall),
www.tyndall.ie, is Ireland’s largest research centre, specialising in defined areas of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Within Tyndall wireless sensor network solutions are being developed with industrial and research partners incorporating energy efficiency, environmental monitoring and health & fitness systems development. Energy Harvesting is a critical sub-set of this activity, driven by the need for self-powered sensors that do not require regular battery replacement.
Reporting to the Microsystems Centre Head the candidate will:
- Enhance Tyndall’s position internationally as a world leading organisation in EH&S research
- Provide technical leadership – devising a strategic vision for EH&S research in Tyndall that will be dynamically reviewed & revised annually.
- Work closely with other PIs in Tyndall directly or indirectly engaged with EH&S technologies.
- Work with Tyndall’s industry partners (existing and planned) to identify their EH&S needs (technologies and applications)
- Build close relationship with IERC (www.ierc.ie) to establish EH&S as a key technology enabler. Within this lead and participate in several IERC affiliated EH&S related projects
- Further enhance the international profile for Tyndall’s world leading researchers in EH&S activities, positioning Tyndall strategically within academic and industry EH&S consortia.
- Participate actively in Tyndall projects with an EH&S research agenda, ensuring that all technology platforms developed are in line with Tyndall’s WSN mote roadmap, developing self-powered, miniaturized and cost effective solutions with actuation and control compatibility.
- Travel to conferences, workshops, industry meetings, proposal project meetings, etc to strategically position Tyndall as a world-leading EH&S research centre.
- Maintain engineering logs (hard copy and software) of all activities including engineering documents, meetings, reviews, results, IP generated, project correspondence, etc in accordance to Tyndall’s ISO900 procedures.
- Execute duties in accordance with terms and conditions of related industry, academic & consortia agreements.
(MH-13) Principal Investigator - Energy Harvesting, Microsystems Job Requirements
The successful applicant should have a degree in Electronic or Electrical Engineering or a related discipline and a postgraduate degree in an area relevant to EH&S. Authorship of quality publications and/or patents and management of multiple partner IP is essential as is a detailed and practical knowledge and experience of electronic system design.
The ideal candidate will have at least 10 year’s experience in Energy Harvesting and Storage (EH&S) research activities (ambient energy generation, power management and storage).
- The candidate needs to have a very strong (analogue/micro/power) electronics background:- mixed signal devices/circuits/ICs and system integration
- Good fundamental understanding of thermoelectric (TEG), vibrational (VEH), solar (PV) and wireless RF energy harvesting techniques, particularly at the uW/mW level.
- Good understanding of power management and storage technologies (Supercaps, thin film batteries, micro-batteries, fuel cells, bio-fuel cells, etc.) with an established track record of devising and implementing optimised system architectures and integration of these technologies with EH sources.
- Knowledge and experience of multi-source energy harvesting and power management would be a particular advantage
- Excellent knowledge of the state of the art in EH technologies, applications (energy, environmental, healthcare), constraints, materials, components, circuits, devices and system level.
- Established track record of leadership in EH&S research projects & collaborations, developing technology roadmaps, innovative platforms, publishing papers, presenting at conferences, etc.
- The PI should already have an established successful network of EH research collaborators and a successful track record in securing project funding (national, EU, industry) related to EH.
- Demonstrated ability to lead/work with a broad cross-functional group of academic researchers and senior industry contacts to collaboratively develop next generation EH&S solutions for real-life applications
- Good understanding of hardware & software techniques (design practices, modelling, etc) for reducing power consumption of EH loads (particularly WSN motes (microcontrollers, sensors, transceivers, drivers) & RF architectures)
- Experience in miniaturization and system packaging design, particularly for mixed signal IC design, would also be an advantage
Excellent communication skills are essential. A proven ability to work well in a team and the ability to work on his/her own initiative to provide the required strategic and technical leadership is critical. The need to work flexible hours is required and to be adaptable in working practice is essential.
To apply for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions as outlined.
At this time, Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies. Tyndall National Institute is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
(MH-13) Principal Investigator - Energy Harvesting, Microsystems Application Information
Please apply with your CV and cover letter by the 'apply' button below
(MH-13) Principal Investigator - Energy Harvesting, Microsystems Summary
| Education Backgrounds: |
Electrical Engineering
|
| Specialties: |
Energy (renewable)
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| Education Level: |
Doctorate (PH.D)
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| Experience: |
2 - 5 years
|
| Languages spoken: |
English
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| Job Location: |
Cork, Ireland |
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