SPEAR Centre: PhD in ‘Silicon Photonics Dual Comb Sources for communications and sensing’

SPEAR Centre: PhD in ‘Silicon Photonics Dual Comb Sources for communications and sensing’

About Tyndall
Tyndall National Institute is an international leader in semiconductors, photonics and deep-tech research and innovation. As a leading collaborative European research institute, Tyndall is a key actor and hosting partner in the delivery of the ‘Chips for Europe Initiative’ (EU Chips Act).

Tyndall is Ireland’s leading research and innovation organisation and it is the national focal point for excellence in deep-tech research, development and graduate training at the convergence of nanotechnology, microelectronics, photonics, electronics and AI. Tyndall is recognised as an international research leader in semiconductor, chip and digital technologies, particularly as applied to the fields of Information & Communications, Health & Life Sciences, Agritech & Food Security, Energy and Climate Mitigation, emerging fields such as quantum, and novel computing paradigms.

The Institute’s key objective is to see frontier research activities having a significant impact on economic development and societal challenges in Ireland, Europe and beyond. Central to Tyndall’s mission is delivering economic impact through research excellence in partnership with industry and academia. With an annual turnover of more than €50m, the Institute has a community of over 600 researchers, engineers, support staff, postgraduate students, interns and industry researchers-in-residence.

With significant committed Irish government support, Tyndall will grow to be 1,000 people by 2030, with approximately 750 researchers, including 250 PhD students. A new 17,000 m2 research building is under development adjacent to the Cork headquarters and there are developing plans to expand Tyndall’s existing Dublin research labs and to establish other research sites within Ireland.

Tyndall’s expansion is also supported by recent national and EU funding wins for significant (M€10’s) additional research equipment across a range of areas such as semiconductor processing, microscopy, quantum technologies, heterogeneous integration, ultra-high speed optical communications and RF through THz characterisation.

About SPEAR
The Semiconductor and Photonics Education and Research (SPEAR) Centre, funded by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), is an €8.5 million cross-border project by Atlantic Technological University, Ulster University, Tyndall National Institute and their associate partner Seagate Technology. The Centre aims to build research capacity in integrated photonics and semiconductor technologies, contributing to the development of Ireland’s and Northern Ireland’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem. It seeks to train the next generation of scientists and engineers to support growth in sectors such as healthcare, telecommunications, advanced manufacturing, and sensor networks. The position is available at Tyndall National Institute in Cork.

Project Description
Optical frequency combs are special light sources consisting of many equally spaced frequencies with a shared phase relationship. Combs have been studied for decades, with significant interest from many applications from telecommunications and sensing to cutting edge metrology and fundamental science. Key characteristics are the coherence between frequencies and the high stability, allowing for their use as incredibly precise optical rulers or timekeepers. It was this precision that enabled John Hall and Theodor Hänsch to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2005, where they have made important contributions in the field of precision spectroscopy using combs. Traditionally, optical frequency comb sources were large and cumbersome, minimizing their implementation outside of laboratory settings. Over the last decade there has been much effort and progress in the development of miniaturized OFC sources, particularly due to advancement in chip-scale Silicon Photonics. The challenge here is on the study, design and fabrication of such miniaturised combs, more specifically, those based on nonlinear processes in silicon microring resonators.

The goal of this PhD is to investigate novel Silicon photonics-based combs that are efficient, tuneable, and compact, likely to rely on high-quality micro-ring resonators heterogeneously integrated with III-V semiconductor lasers. In this PhD, the successful candidate will be investigating efficient silicon photonics based combs, using a variety of techniques including modelling, semiconductor laser design and fabrication, micro-transfer printing (MTP) techniques, design and fabrication of Silicon photonics passive elements, characterisation, working towards precise optical clocks for time-synchronization required for near-future all optical computing paradigms.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to learn how to use many software tools (e.g. Lumerical, VPI) for design, fabrication techniques (e.g. lithography, etching etc), characterisation techniques, and collaborate with partners in the SPEAR consortium to design, fabricate and characterise devices in a number of labs in Tyndall.
This project will involve simulation, design and fabrication leading to final experimental demonstrators in collaboration with team members within the Heterogeneous Integration and Photonic Systems Group at Tyndall.

Key Responsibilities

• Simulation, design and fabrication of Silicon photonic passive elements
• Simulations, design, fabrication and characterisation of InP based lasers mid-IR
• Finalise application space, either for sensing, comms or computing, including analysis of the state-of-the-art.
• Demonstrate an integrated heterogeneous comb for the chosen application
• Present research findings at in major conferences and publish in high-impact journals.
• Complete required PhD coursework, participate in group meetings, and contribute to outreach activities.
• 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

• First or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in Physics or Electrical / Electronic Engineering.
• Strong interest in silicon photonics, modelling and experimental work.
• Excellent analytical and programming skills (Python, MATLAB, or equivalent).
• Self-motivated and able to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Desirable Criteria

• Master’s degree in Physics/Engineering/Photonics
• Experience with design and fabrication of semiconductor devices and/or silicon photonic circuits.
• Experience in modelling nonlinear optical processes.

What We Offer

• A generous tax-free scholarship stipend payment including tuition fees covered.
• 20 days per annum annual leave for full-time research students, in addition to public holidays.
• Full coverage of travel expenses to international conferences to present project outcomes.
• Training and development opportunities are also provided.
• Mardyke Sports Arena - Students – free when registered with UCC
• Free Park and Ride Service
• Also see here for more information

Terms of Employment
The annual stipend is €25,000.  In addition, annual tuition fees will be paid by the Tyndall National Institute.

Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term

• The successful candidate will be registered as PhD student at University College Cork. Doctoral students are going to be equipped with the highest level of scientific and engineering research skills needed to address the challenges of developing new integrated photonic technologies for diverse applications, as well as with the entrepreneurial, leadership and teamwork capabilities needed to lead and operate at the highest levels in industry.
• As a student in the SPEAR Centre, you will join a vibrant, supportive and engaging cohort of 15 students and will have the chance to travel and attend a bespoke induction programme with students from all three partners, an annual training school and have access to advanced courses in areas such as semiconductor fabrication, packaging and entrepreneurship.

•            Preferred start date: As soon as possible.

Any queries concerning this PhD position can be sent to Fatima Gunning ensuring the email title contains: “SPEAR APPLICATION QUERY”.
Closing date for application is 1pm, 29th May 2026.

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.

Postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency as per UCC regulations (https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/). Certificates should be valid (usually less than 2 years old) and should be uploaded with their application.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.  The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the 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.