FG-13 Post doctoral Researcher on Optical Fibre Amplifier Technologies for Space Applications
Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term
Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher with experience in EDFAs and/or Optical Fibre Amplifiers Technologies for Space Applications. Tyndall is a leading deep-tech European research institute and is one of Ireland’s six National Labs, specialising in both electronics and photonics. Tyndall works with industry and academia from fundamental research to applications in its core areas of electronics, communications, energy, health, agri-tech & the environment. Tyndall is home to a research community of 600 people of 48 nationalities, including over 150 postgraduate research students. This project is part of a portfolio of projects with industrial partners at the SFI Irish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC), a leader in photonic integration technologies, packaging, and applications in communications and biophotonics.
We are seeking to create an experimental testbed and proof-of-concept demonstrator with our commercial partner to demonstrate the viability of high output power and high gain optical fibre amplifiers for space applications. This is a very collaborative project, including SMEs and academia, requiring attention to detail and ability to work within short deadlines.
This post is primarily funded for 12 months, extending a further 6 months (subjective to performance), and with potential for employment with our commercial partner beyond this period.
Key Responsibilities
The project led by Dr Fatima Gunning aims to optimise the use of optical doped-fibre amplifiers for space applications, enabling high power, high gain and optimised power consumption for Space applications. It is expected that the successful candidate will work independently, meeting the project outcomes, and work collaborative with the diverse team of researchers within IPIC, Tyndall, and with our commercial and academic partners.
This post will enable you to grow your independence skills, leadership and technical skills in optical communications for Space applications.
The successful candidate will:
1. Work in partnership with our industry collaborator;
2. Apply skills in other areas of optical communications;
3. Work as part of a multidisciplinary team, learning from different skill sets;
4. Be encouraged to attend further training events, aligned with the agreed training needs;
5. Seek avenues for publication and dissemination (pending approval of all partners);
6. Travel between partner organisations for joint experiments.
7. Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required
8. Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management system
9. Ensure all activities are compliant with the required Health and Safety standards
10. Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post
Essential Criteria
11. PhD in Physics, Electronic Engineering or closely related fields, in particularly in Optical Communications (optical fibre communications, space communications, short or long reach). Those without a PhD but with significant experimental experience with optical fibre amplifiers are also encouraged to apply, and evidence of such must be included.
12. Evidence of experimental abilities in an optical fibre communications lab, such as fibre splicing, spectral analysis, laser characterisation, modulation formats, coding with high sampling rate arbitrary waveform generators (AWG), pre-emphasis, impairment compensation, offline signal processing with Matlab/Python.
13. Evidence of understanding of optical fibre amplification.
14. Evidence of simulations skills with VPI Transmission Maker or equivalent software.
15. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in a diverse environment.
Desirable Criteria
16. Complex optical communications simulations skills in Python/Matlab or other software.
17. Strong problem-solving skills and initiative with demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
18. Demonstrated ability as a strong team player with high level of flexibility and the confidence to work independently.
19. Excellent organisational and planning skills.
We are offering a postdoctoral research post (salary scale etc), plus pension contributions. It is expected that the successful candidate will be working primarily within Tyndall campus and with our industrial partner, in person, full-time.
Appointment may be made on the IUA Researcher Scale €41,207- €47,477 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.