Senior Researcher in electrochemical soil sensors and systems

Senior Researcher in electrochemical soil sensors and systems
About Tyndall
Tyndall National Institute is an international leader in semiconductors, photonics 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.
About the Group
The Precision Electrochemical Nanosensor (PEN) Research Group comprises research and support staff, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students. The Group focuses on developing high-sensitivity, silicon-chip-based nanoelectrochemical devices for various applications, including environmental monitoring and clinical diagnostics. Utilizing semiconductor fabrication techniques, the group creates nanowire and ultra-microelectrode arrays that achieve ultra-low detection limits and high signal-to-noise ratios for chemical and biological analytes. Key advancements involve nanoscale sensitivity, scalable manufacturing, and multimodal sensing, with applications designed to transition from laboratory settings to commercial use.
About the Role
Applications are invited for a Senior Researcher position within the Precision Electrochemical Nanosensor Group at the Tyndall National Institute – University College Cork.  The position is initially for 2 years with potential for extension pending further funding. 
In general, Senior Researchers at Tyndall are also expected to participate in the full range of activities of the group, contributing to collaborative projects, particularly where their special expertise can make a direct contribution. MNS plays a leading role in the Research Ireland / Department of Agriculture Food and the VistaMilk Centre which involves close collaboration with industry as well as national and international academic research groups. The candidate is expected to contribute to these collaborations, in particular helping to generate and deliver EU projects which are mainly in the area of sensor development and system validation and test.
The Senior Researcher will have additional responsibilities of acting as an investigator on collaborative or external (e.g. EU) funded projects, where appropriate, and will also be required to initiate and contribute to writing of new proposals and the seeking of new funding opportunities.  Researchers are expected, at times, to lead both the technical and project management functions for projects and as such provide process expertise as and when needed to improve the operational functions of the group. The researcher is also expected to contribute to student (e.g. PhD) supervision, and, when required, to take the main supervision role.
The Senior Researcher is expected to have a strong track record of achievement and experience in the field of electrochemical sensor development and deployment of sensor systems in the field.
Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research to advance the electrochemical soil sensors and systems research agenda within the PEN group
• Be a thought leader and proactively generate research initiatives and ideas
• Contribute to the development of new knowledge through research and development
• Publish papers (or equivalent outputs including: patents industry or policy reports) as senior / supervising author
• Initiate and take responsibility, as appropriate, in grant proposal writing for EU, Research Ireland and other funding streams.
• Independently manage in executing collaborative research projects in cooperation with colleagues and project partners
• Contribute to organisational projects/activities outside of their core research areas
• Initiate and establish collaborative relationships with relevant industry research or development groups with the potential for knowledge transfer
• Explore possibilities of technology spin-out via the creation of, or involvement with, a start-up.
• Communicate research effectively to the research community and wider society
• Assist in managing certain nanosensor laboratory activities when appropriate.
• Work with financial managers to assess the level of required project funding.
• TIndependently manage, when necessary, the quality assurance and methods definition for project development and delivery.
• Anticipate and highlight potential research challenges and innovation opportunities which meet and grow the strategic needs of the PEN group specifically and Tyndall in general.
• Engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of the research group, such as outreach activities.
• Interact closely with Early Career Researchers (Post docs, postgraduate research students) and provide support, supervision and training  in their day to day research and, when appropriate.
• Carry out, as required, administrative work for the programme of research, as necessary.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities.
• Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations.
• To carry out any additional duties that may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

• A PhD qualification in Science, engineering or a related discipline.
• Typically, 6+ years demonstrated track record in development of multiplexed ultramicroscale electrochemical sensors with critical dimension of ≤1 micron and their subsequent systems integration
• Demonstrated track record in materials chemistry development and subsequent modification of working electrode to confer analyte selectivity >90% and reference electrode modification to confer stability for more than three months of continuous deployment in the field
• Performance specification, assessment, characterization and evaluation of circuitry including bi-potientiostat generator-collector formats to ensure performance is in line with system specification requirements
• Demonstrated field deployment of sensors and detection of target analytes in complex media, i.e., soil water with demonstrated deployable lifetimes of ≥ three months in soil.
• Track record in managing the formation of national and/or international research consortia and securing research funding from research councils or industry
• Demonstrated and ongoing track record in leading institutional activities in international funded projects and track record of securing funding >€1M over 3-5 years through international peer reviewed process.
• Demonstrated track record in development, assessment and protection of IP through patenting.  
• Demonstrated track record in the organization of international workshops and/or conference sessions.
• Demonstrated track record collaboration with local and international research collaborators and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated track record of managing Research laboratories.
• Previous experience of working in a research project team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Some experience of working collaboratively with industry
• Highly self-motivated and able to demonstrate initiative
• A commitment to personal growth and development
• A background or experience in the agricultural sector

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:
 

• Impactful Work: Opportunities to contribute to ground-breaking research and innovation that shape Ireland’s economy and the society at large.
• 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.

Terms of Employment
Contract Category: Full-Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Duration : 2 years
Appointment may be made on the Senior Researcher Scale (Grade 6) salary €61,471 - €73,392 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Adjunct Professor Alan O’ Riordan.
Closing date for applications for this position is 1pm, 7th August 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.
Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.
Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.