Postdoctoral Researcher in Wireless Power Transfer for Implantable Sensors
Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term
The Project
Advanced medical diagnosis and treatment monitoring require miniature sensor systems that can be implanted in the body. In this project, we are exploring sensors to monitor cancer tumours. Providing power for these sensors is a significant challenge. While battery size is decreasing with new technologies such as solid-state batteries, they remain either too large or have limited capacity, constraining the operating lifetime of the sensor. This collaborative project with BCON medical and the NKI/Netherlands Cancer Institute aims to wirelessly transfer power to the implant and convert it into suitable voltages to power the sensor circuits.
The Role
The successful candidate will be based at MCCI in Tyndall National Institute, Cork. The work involves system or signal chain level investigation, developing sets of experiments to execute electromagnetic modelling, and estimating the amount of power transferable to the deep body implant. Magnetic coils will be designed to transmit and receive signal power to the sensor in the implantable device. The candidate will lead/direct lab testing and characterising of prototypes developed in the work.
Opportunities
* You will have the opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary research team consisting of clinicians, medical systems architects, integrated circuit designers, magnetics and power systems experts, and:
* Work as a highly valuable research team member in a world-class technology centre with a young, dynamic, vibrant, and self-driven work environment focused on high-impact research results aligned with our Medtech industry partners.
* Great career development and advancement visible to the semiconductor industry through direct contact or IEEE publications.
* Collaborate with Medical Device industry on advanced implantable sensors.
* Opportunity to attend and publish work at leading conferences such as IEEE Solid-State Circuits conferences and IEEE BioCAS conference.
* Opportunity to publish in leading IEEE journals.
* Attend training courses and workshops, use the latest industry CAD design tools.
* Achieve wireless powering of implants at longer distances with higher power density per sensor area beyond state-of-the-art.
* Competitive salary and conditions including 23 Days of annual leave, Christmas leave, and public holidays.
Key Responsibilities
* Design embedded magnetic components for power transmission and reception.
* Perform modelling and analysis on the limitations of existing solutions.
* Participate in research projects under the direction of a project team leader to design and develop wireless power transfer systems.
* Assist and support in the development of system-level solutions.
* Work on collaborative research projects with MCCI industry partners (e.g., BCON medical and NKI/The Netherlands Cancer Institute).
* Assist in the mentoring and support of junior researchers.
* Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research, as directed by and with the support of senior MCCI research staff.
* Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
* Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management system and required Health & Safety standards.
* Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.
Essential Criteria
* PhD in Microelectronics or Physics or a related topic.
* Strong knowledge of magnetics design using industry-standard CAD tools such as HFSS, ADS, Maxwell, etc.
* Knowledge of CMOS integrated circuits and of IC CAD design tools.
* The successful candidate will be highly innovative with a strong desire to create world-beating integrated circuits research for real-life applications.
* The successful candidate will be highly analytical with good interpersonal and organisational skills.
* Experience of lab measurements.
* Knowledge of mathematical modelling tools such as MATLAB.
Desirable Criteria
* Experience designing CMOS/Bipolar/BiCMOS integrated circuits.
* Good mathematical ability and knowledge of statistics.
* Knowledge of Power converter circuits would be an advantage.
* PCB design experience.
* Strong Publication track record.
The successful candidate will be highly innovative with a strong desire to create world-beating integrated circuits research for real-life applications.
Appointment may be made on the IUA Scale for Postdoctoral Researchers €41,207-€47,477 pa or Senior Postdoctoral Researchers €48,813-€51,617 pa. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.