Senior Researcher in Electrical Engineering with Specialisation in Power Electronics – IERC

Senior Researcher in Electrical Engineering with Specialisation in Power Electronics – IERC
About Tyndall
Tyndall National Institute is an international leader in semiconductors, photonics, energy 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 the IERC
Reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, in response to Climate Change, will require radical changes to the energy, transport and heating systems and policies on which much of our modern society is built. The International Energy Research Centre (IERC) at Tyndall National Institute addresses these changes by conducting research to identify, develop, and integrate emerging technologies, in the context of evolving energy policy, infrastructure planning and societal needs and requirements, that support the decarbonisation of the energy system.
About the Role
The “intelligent Grid (iG)” research team at the IERC invites applications for a Senior Researcher position in Electrical Engineering with a specialisation in Power Electronics. The role offers the opportunity to lead research within IERC at Tyndall National Institute in accordance with the Institute’s strategic growth plan. Complementing this vision, you will articulate a cutting-edge research programme that will address some of the outstanding challenges in the development of intelligent and innovative solutions for decarbonising the energy system.
Working under the guidance of the iG Team Lead at IERC, you will be expected to lead a number of existing projects whilst also growing your own independent research programme in order to develop a fully independent, dedicated team of highly skilled research staff and PhD students.
The role offers a superb opportunity for an aspiring researcher to realise their research vision and advance their career as part of a world-class, multi-disciplinary, collaborative research ecosystem with cutting-edge facilities. You will be pivotal in fostering and developing deep collaborations across IERC and Tyndall, as well as nationally through RI research centres, and internationally through programmes such as the Horizon Europe funding framework. In addition, you will be encouraged and supported to pursue the exploitation of your ideas with industry and/or through the development of new start-up ventures.
IERC seeks applicants with the desire to be at the forefront of developing the disruptive and transformative energy technologies and concepts that will accelerate decarbonisation towards net zero.
All IERC staff members are expected to understand academic and industrial requirements, together with a sound understanding of the wider energy landscape beyond their area of expertise. All researchers are encouraged to initiate and contribute to writing proposals for the EU and other external funding streams.
Key Responsibilities
Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the planning and delivery of key scenarios workstreams within projects, ensuring inputs, timelines, risks and dependencies are managed effectively, and issues are escalated when needed related to models.
• Initiate and steer innovation in the research area to improve the robustness, accuracy and reliability of results.
• Coordinate technical studies with relevant team members by providing expert support for analysis, interpretation and validation of outcomes.
• Ensure high-quality deliverables by leading the drafting, review and consolidation of reports, documentation and presentations.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and lead effective meetings with clear agendas, action tracking and follow-up.
• Develop a credible and aspiring strategic research vision for their research within IERC that leverages the unique infrastructure, capabilities and full range of expertise of the Tyndall National Institute and UCC.
• Grow the intelligent grid research and demonstration activities, especially in power conversion and control and, through strong collaborations and outputs, develop its international reputation in the field.
• Generate excellent research outcomes as evidenced by influential or milestone publications in leading journals and conferences, e.g., in the top 10% in their field, and promote Open Science and Research Integrity within the team, IERC and Tyndall National Institute.
• Drive collaboration with others in successful bids for competitive large-scale (million €) grants/awards from national and European funding sources, and Industry to safeguard the financial sustainability.
• Support a team culture that results in high-quality postgraduate training and supervision, and where professional/personal / career development is a priority.
• Support the Team Lead and Group Head of IERC to develop and deliver IERC’s vision and strategy.
• Contribute to major organisational projects/activities within Tyndall outside of their core research areas and manage their team members to do likewise.
• Contribute to the development of national and international collaborative research networks and create new synergies/collaborations between IERC and other third-party research bodies.
• Contribute to and support of the supervision of postdocs and postgraduate research students as supervisor and/or co‐supervisor.
• Support education and public engagement activities
• Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Health and Safety standards and with Tyndall’s Quality Management System with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in Electrical Engineering with a specialisation in Power Electronics and typically, 6+ years of post-doc research experience in a University/Research Institute/Industry
• Previous experience in managing research projects and report writing for externally funded projects.
• Previous experience in managing and supervising postgraduate students.
• Previous experience in competitive proposal writing and achievement.
• Demonstrable research expertise in at least two of the following areas:
  • Power converter design for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)
  • Grid Integration and Control of DERs
  • Grid Stability/Power Quality Analysis and Improvement
  • Application of artificial intelligence in power systems and control
• Hardware Experience/Knowledge of Converters, Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), prototype development, and any real-time controlling platform (OPAL-RT) in the abovementioned areas.
• Proven track record of research publications

Desirable Criteria

• Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience in equipment and lab management
• Demonstrated track record in building and growing national/international networks.
• Demonstrated teaching and undergraduate supervision record, ideally with formal teaching qualification for higher education.
• Has successfully supervised/co-supervised a number of post graduate students.
• Takes the lead in executing collaborative research projects in cooperation with colleagues and project partners.
• Communicates their research effectively to the research community and wider society.
• Has contributed to possibilities of technology spin-out via the creation of, or involvement with, a start-up.
• Flexibility to travel
• Evidence of high levels of initiative and being a self-starter.
• Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills

What We Offer
Apart from offering a position in a very successful and positive research environment, with a collaborative ethos full of diverse competencies to boost your career, we offer the following:

• Continuous Learning: Strong support for formal training, further study and professional development.
• Interdisciplinary Environment: Where academia, industry, and innovation intersect - supported by cutting-edge infrastructure and expert knowledge.
• Blended Working: Flexibility to work remotely and on-site, where the role allows.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Access to UCC pension, long-term illness benefit, life assurance, and more.
• Generous Leave: Competitive annual leave entitlements.
• Equity & Inclusion: Athena Swan Bronze award holder, with ongoing initiatives led by a dedicated People and Culture team to ensure equity for all.
• Core Values: A culture grounded in Ambition, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: A proactive, innovation-driven environment that welcomes entrepreneurial and creative thinkers, including those with start-up experience.
• Supportive Onboarding: Structured induction and mentoring to help new hires integrate and thrive.
• Vibrant Culture: A collaborative, people-first workplace with a strong sense of community.

You will have the opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary team consisting of power system, control, energy market 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, power and energy industries through direct contact or IEEE publications.
• Opportunity to attend and publish work at leading conferences
• Attend training courses and workshops
• Opportunity to publish in leading journals.
• Excellent working conditions, including 30 Days of annual leave

Terms of Employment
The IERC provides a supportive and collaborative working environment to ensure equal employment and advancement opportunities.
An appointment may be made on the Senior Researcher, Admin Scale, Grade 6, with a salary range of €60,862 - €72,665.  Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Shafi Khadem. Further information on the IERC is available at www.ierc.ie
Closing date of applications is 1pm, 16th July 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.

A full candidate information pack is available to download by clicking here.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection 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.

At this time, Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.
Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.