Offer Description
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time funded PhD scholarship starting in September 2026 affiliated to the Power Electronics Research Centre (PERC) in the School of Engineering at the University of Galway and in collaboration with the Tyndall National Institute.
University of Galway
Located in the vibrant cultural city of Galway in the west of Ireland, the University of Galway has a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence.
Detailed Project Description
This project is funded by Research Ireland under the RINN Semiconductors Centre. Rinn Semiconductors is part of a constellation of seven major new centres which collectively represent an investment of €460M in advanced research by the Government of Ireland. Rinn Semiconductors aims to lead Ireland’s response to the end of Moore’s Law scaling, the point where traditional improvements in computer chips slows down or ends, by pioneering modular integrated circuit-based (chiplet-based) semiconductor design and integration. With deep expertise in the areas of Heterogeneous Integration and Advanced Packaging, the Rinn Semiconductors team propose to enable transformative advances in these technologies and to apply them in three main application areas: Future Internet, Sustainable Energy and Environment, and Digital Healthcare.
A key objective of the Rinn is to foster deep collaboration across the seven universities and institutions involved, by leveraging the semiconductor fabrication facilities at Tyndall, ultimately creating a cohesive “atom to systems” value chain in Ireland, connecting everything from basic materials research through to complete technology solutions. The Rinn will operate in close collaboration with Ireland’s vibrant semiconductor industry sector which supports 20,000 high skilled jobs and includes world leading multinational companies, small and medium sized enterprises and start-ups.
Within RINN Semiconductors, this PhD project relates to the Heterogeneous Integration theme, which aims to develop processes for integrating photonic (lasers, modulators, detectors) and electronic components (amplifiers, antennae, inductors) on the same substrate using advanced packaging processes such as micro-transfer printing (MTP).
Key project areas in the Heterogeneous Integration theme include:
- Material and device innovations in compound semiconductors and magnetics
- Development of multi-purpose integration frameworks (e.g. Micro Transfer Printing)
- Deliver novel chiplets combining photonics (lasers, data modulators, detectors etc.) and electronics (inductors, capacitors, ICs etc.) with silicon to address new applications
This PhD relates to the first area, focusing on the design of power electronics circuits based on magnetics-on-silicon devices for high-performance AI computing loads.
The research will include:
- Design of novel power converter topologies (DC/DC) for high performance computing loads suitable for use with existing and emerging magnetics-on-silicon devices (inductors, transformers) developed at the Tyndall National Institute.
- Development of equivalent circuit models of magnetics-on-silicon devices to account for their in-circuit performance under a range of operating conditions (inductance vs. current, coupling factor, winding/core loss, high frequency and harmonic effects, etc.).
- Characterisation of magnetics-on-silicon devices under typical circuit conditions, in collaboration with researchers at the Tyndall National Institute
- Design, build and testing of a prototype converter to illustrate its performance relative to state-of-art solutions and its potential for packaging using heterogeneous integration technologies developed in other RINN Semiconductor themes.
The project is led by University of Galway and involves close collaboration with the Tyndall National Institute, where other projects will focus on the development and characterisation of magnetics-on-silicon devices and advanced heterogeneous integration packaging technologies.
General Requirements:
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Excellent English communication skills, in particular, report writing and presentation skills
- High attention to detail and strong organisational ability
- Ability to manage a complex workload and meet deadlines
- Excellent interpersonal skills
Living allowance (Stipend): €25,000 per annum, [tax-exempt scholarship award]
University fees: EU tuition fees covered for 4 years maximum (2026-2030)
Start date: 1 October 2026
Academic Entry Requirements:
- Bachelor's or master's degree (minimum 2.1 grade or equivalent) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (or a closely related discipline)
- Knowledge of power electronics design, modelling and simulation, ideally with specific knowledge of magnetic component design and/or power supplies for computing loads
- Experience in power electronics prototyping and testing, ideally including magnetic component in-circuit characterisation and/or testing of high frequency converters
- Experience in technical report writing
The successful applicant will:
- Join a world-class and highly diverse community of more than 100 PhD students, more than a 100 Postdoctoral Researchers and around 35 experienced PIs and Research Fellows
- Engage with over 30 industry partners to learn about their work and future career opportunities
- Become an in-house entrepreneur and explore the opportunity to commercialise your research through a Spin-Out company
- Follow in the footsteps of our current trainees where over 86% of PhDs have transitioned into industry with some of the world’s leading semiconductor companies, in Ireland and the EU.
- If you aspire to be a future PI and academic research leader our programme will support you to build your research track record and vision, equipping you to take the next steps on your career journey.
To Apply for the Scholarship:
Please submit a single PDF containing a CV and cover letter (outlining how your experience aligns with this role and why this project interests you) by email to Prof Maeve Duffy: maeve.duffy@universityofgalway.ie
Email subject line: PhD Application – RINN Semiconductor
(N.B.: Applications without this subject line may not be recorded)
Contact Name: Prof Maeve Duffy
Contact Email: maeve.duffy@universityofgalway.ie
Application Deadline: 14/09/2026 at time 17:00
Primary Supervisor name: Prof Maeve Duffy
Where to apply
E-mail: maeve.duffy@universityofgalway.ie
Requirements
Research Field: Engineering » Electrical engineering
Education Level: Undergraduate
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: University of Galway
Country: Ireland
Contact
State/Province: Ireland
City: Galway
Website: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/
Street: University Road
Postal Code: H91 TK33
E-Mail: recruit@universityofgalway.ie
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