DOH-06 Post doctoral Researcher in CMOS image sensor electronics for surgical assistance.
Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term
This position is jointly sponsored by at Tyndall National Institute and Microelectronic Circuits Centre Ireland ().
In the past 20 years mobile phone cameras have transformed how we record our lives. The demand for higher resolution in mobile phone cameras has made CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) the fastest growing segment of the semiconductor market. It has also brought about a dramatic reduction in CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) pixel sizes. This project will utilise the huge advances in CIS to build micro-cameras that can be used in surgical stent operations. Stents have been used to treat coronary artery disease for more than a decade. It is now common practice to surgically implant a stent to hold a coronary artery open in order to maintain blood flow after an angioplasty procedure. More than 2 million people get a stent each year. Presently surgeons are unable to see what type of plaque causes artery blockages. Applying a micro-camera to the guidewires used to insert the stent would help make stent operations safer and cheaper.
This project addresses a major component of a Bio-medical imaging project carried out in collaboration between MCCI (Microelectronic Circuits Centre Ireland), IPIC (Irish Photonic Integration Centre) and the Bio-Photonics team within Tyndall National Institute. The Candidate will work with other circuit designers to design a sub 1mm^2 CMOS image sensor using an advanced 3D stacked CMOS image sensor technology. Pixel readout circuits will be designed using component circuits like Analogue to Digital converters (ADCs), Reference Buffers and Low Dropout Voltage Regulators. All of these designs will be low power and low area. Once the design is complete and manufactured the next task will to be characterise the imager performance. The measured results will be submitted to conferences.
The project supervisor will be Dr. Daniel O’Hare, a Senior Researcher within the microelectronics group in Tyndall National institute
Key Responsibilities
1. The candidate is expected to be creative, self-motivated, and should help create an efficiently and friendly atmosphere within the MCCI and Biophotonics teams and beyond to all teams at IPIC and Tyndall.
2. Propose innovative circuits to meet the requirements of the medical device camera project.
3. Implement the solution on an integrated circuit using an advanced CMOS Image sensor technology. This involves system level simulation, schematic design and layout
4. Engage with the bio-photonics multi-disciplinary team to understand the application.
5. Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research, as directed by and with the support of senior Biophotonics/MCCI research staff
6. Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
7. Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management system and required Health & Safety standards.
8. Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.
9. Other responsibilities as may be agreed with the Tyndall CEO or MCCI Director.
Essential Criteria
10. PhD in Electronic Engineering or related relevant discipline
11. Experience designing CMOS image sensors
12. Evidence of successful execution of Analog, Mixed-Signal or RF circuits at block level through to tape out
13. Ability to work independently on the design of challenging circuit blocks
14. The successful candidate will be highly analytical with good interpersonal and organisational skills.
15. Ability to contribute to a multidisciplinary team as subject matter expert on CMOS image sensors
Desirable Criteria
16. Experience testing/characterizing CMOS image sensors
17. Good mathematical ability and knowledge of statistics.
18. Knowledge of mathematical modelling tools such as MATLAB.
19. Experience with industry standard CAD tools such as Matlab, Cadence and Mentor.
20. Experience in mixed signal circuit layout
21. Interest in Medical applications.
Any queries relating to this position can be forwarded to Dr. Daniel O' Hare on email
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 Post-Doctoral Researchers €41,207-€47,477 p.a or Senior Post-Doctoral Researchers €48,813- €51,617 p.a. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.