(PT-21) Research Assistant - Photonic Communications Job in Cork City, Ireland

Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork is one of Europe's leading research centres, specialising in ICT hardware research, with ca 420 staff, students and academic & industrial visiting researchers. Tyndall undertakes internationally-leading research into information and communications technology.

Tyndall uses its facilities and expertise to support industry and academia nationally and provides large numbers of highly qualified graduate students, key to the development of Ireland’s national economy. Tyndall has over 200 industry partnerships and customers worldwide. Several start up companies in Ireland have been based on technology originating at Tyndall. The Institute’s researchers include 125 PhD and 10 Masters students, and 38 nationalities are represented within the institute at all levels, with its research published in 200 peer reviewed publications last year.

(PT-21) Research Assistant - Photonic Communications Job Description

The Photonics Centre at the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork invites applicants who will join established teams within the Photonic Centre, will carry out research in purpose-built photonic and microelectronic systems research facilities at Tyndall National Institute and will be involved in collaboration with other groups in Tyndall and elsewhere. Training opportunities will be provided to acquire additional experimental, circuit design and numerical research skills as appropriate.

Applications are invited for a research assistant position in photonic communication systems research focusing on innovative electronic system design to support ongoing photonic transmission testbeds.

The successful applicant will join the Photonic Systems Group, at the Tyndall National Institute and will carry out research on the development and implementation of the Physical Layer for Long Reach Passive Optical Networks (LR-PONs). The position, which is available for a period of 20 months initially, is funded by the EU under the Research for SMEs project, Quantum Dot Technologies for Extended Reach Nodes In Access Networks (QUATERNIAN). The main objective of the project is to implement an Erbium-Doped Fibre Amplifier (EDFA) that will enable the reach of PONs to be extended from the 10-20km range that is typical today towards 100km. A particular challenge is associated with the high dynamic range (>20dB) burst-mode (BM) operation of the upstream channel of the PON. This necessitates the use of feedback/feedforward current control for the pump lasers in the EDFA to minimise gain transient-induced data packet envelope distortions. In addition there is scope to develop electronic systems such as fast burst-mode control of semiconductor optical amplifiers, automatic power control for the local oscillator laser in advanced coherent receivers and development of automatic control loops supporting equalization for very high-speed transceivers.
 
Responsibilities
In these projects, analogue, mixed-signal or digital control circuits will need to be developed and implemented on custom designed PCBs incorporating required components including microcontrollers and FPGAs. The applicant’s role will be to design the control and interface elements of the control systems, perform PCB layout and microcontroller/FPGA programming. The research will be carried out in collaboration with various industrial partners who will carry out optical/electronic system integration to realise fully-functional prototypes. These sub-systems will be evaluated in advanced tesbeds at Tyndall in close collaboration with the photonic and IC design researchers.

(PT-21) Research Assistant - Photonic Communications Job Requirements

Requirements
The candidate will hold a Masters or higher degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Physics or a related subject and will ideally have interest, knowledge and experience in the following areas:
 
•           Experience in software design and implementation
•           Knowledge of FPGA design
•           Experience in circuit board development
•           Background in photonic components (e.g. lasers) and/or systems
 
For further information please contact the Photonic Systems Group Administrator: [email protected].
 
Please apply with your CV and cover letter by the 'apply' button below.
 
At this time, Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.
 
Tyndall National Institute is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
 

(PT-21) Research Assistant - Photonic Communications Application Information

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(PT-21) Research Assistant - Photonic Communications Summary

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