PhD in Wireless Integrated Circuits for Implantable Sensors

Microelectronic Circuits Centre Ireland (MCCI) is an EI / IDA technology centre hosted at Tyndall National Institute.  Its mission is to carry out industry-led world-class Analog, Mixed-Signal and RF integrated circuit research and to deliver trained people and IP to industry.  MCCI is collaborating with 35 companies and many of the staff eventually transfer into the thriving microelectronics industry in Ireland.  MCCI targets real-life applications with its research and currently has projects in diverse topics such as DNA detection for food safety, next generation optical communications, bio-sensing, imaging for security applications and early cancer detection. Please visit www.mcci.ie for more information.

The project

Advanced medical diagnosis and treatment monitoring require miniature sensor systems that can be implanted in the body. Among the applications are monitoring cancer tumours and neural signals in the brain. Providing powering for these sensors is a challenge. While the size of batteries is reducing with new technologies such as solid state batteries they remain either too large or have only a limited capacity constraining the operating lifetime of the sensor. The main power consumer in wireless implantable systems is the communication link to transmit the sensor data. In this work low power, low area custom integrated circuits will designed to transmit power to the sensor and data from the sensor. These highly efficient low power circuits will allow the implant systems to use less power and work for longer durations than ever before that will help improving patient and treatment outcomes.

The Role

The successful candidate with be based at MCCI in Tyndall National Institute, Cork.  They will model, architect, design and test wireless powering and communications implantable circuits.

What’s on offer

You will have the opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Clinicians, medical systems architects, integrated circuit designers, magnetics and power systems experts as well as:

• Work as a highly valuable research team member in a world-class technology centre that has a very young, dynamic, vibrant and self-driven work environment that focuses on high-impact research results which are strongly aligned to Industry partners.
• Great career development and advancement that is highly 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.
• Attend training courses and workshops, use the latest industry CAD design tools
• Opportunity to publish in leading IEEE journals.
• A generous tax-free scholarship payment per year. Details discussed on application.
• Excellent working conditions including 23 Days of annual leave

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with the multi-disciplinary team to understand the sensor signals and the application.
• Propose innovative sensor interface circuits to meet the requirements.
• With guidance, implement the solution on an integrated circuit. This involves system level simulation, algorithm development, schematic design, layout and validation of manufactured silicon.
• 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.
• Ensure all activities are compliant with the required Health and Safety standards.
• Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post

Essential Criteria

• The minimum academic qualification is a first or upper second class honours degree (or an equivalent international degree) in electrical engineering, electronic engineering, physics or related relevant discipline.
• The successful candidate will be highly analytical with good interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Experience in the area of Analogue, Mixed-Signal or RF circuit design.

Desirable Criteria

• Master’s degree in in electrical engineering, electronic engineering, physics or related relevant discipline.
• Knowledge of circuits for Near Field Communications (NFC).
• Experience of digital design and verification using Verilog or VHDL.
• Experience designing CMOS integrated circuits
• Good mathematical ability and knowledge of statistics.
• Previous use of mathematical modelling tools such as MATLAB or Python.
• Experience of lab measurements
• Knowledge of integrated circuit design tools such as Cadence/Mentor.

A generous annual student stipend applies for the successful candidate for this position.  Yearly University academic fees will be paid by the Tyndall National Institute.

Any queries relating to this position can be forwarded to Dr. Daniel O’ Hare by email daniel.ohare@mcci.ie