Postdoctoral Position in Biophotonics

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.

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 Team
Biophotonics@Tyndall was established eight years ago as a collaborative research programme based at the Tyndall National Institute, led by Professor Stefan Andersson-Engels. The Group’s mission is to foster strong collaborations with clinicians, research centres, and industry partners to accelerate the translation of biophotonics innovations into practical healthcare solutions. By harnessing photonics as a driver, the team aims to enable faster development and deployment of more accurate, less invasive diagnostic and monitoring technologies for a wide range of life science and clinical applications.

Building on this foundation, the group is now advancing the development of Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) technologies for metabolic monitoring in life sciences. This work focuses on creating innovative benchtop and compact FLIM systems, along with advanced data analysis algorithms, to enable precise, real-time metabolic imaging in biological systems. The programme combines expertise in optics, instrumentation, data science, and biology to deliver integrated imaging solutions with translational potential in health and biomedical research.

About the Role
The candidate will report to Dr. Katarzyna Komolibus and will contribute to development of both the hardware and data analysis aspects of FLIM technology, including system design, algorithm development, testing, and validation for metabolic monitoring applications. The position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of optical engineering, metabolic imaging, and life science, within a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment.

The successful candidate is expected to be creative, self-motivated, and contribute to a collaborative and supportive atmosphere within the Biophotonics team and across IPIC and Tyndall. This position offers excellent opportunities for professional growth, international visibility, and the chance to be part of a world-leading centre driving innovation in biophotonics and optical imaging.

Key Responsibilities

Design, build, and optimize benchtop and compact FLIM systems for life science metabolic monitoring applications.
Create and refine FLIM data analysis algorithms for lifetime extraction, fitting, and quantitative metabolic assessment.
Develop software tools for automated data processing, visualization, and analysis.
Characterize and validate FLIM system performance through controlled laboratory experiments and biological sample testing.
Establish calibration procedures and performance benchmarks for quantitative lifetime imaging.
Work closely with interdisciplinary partners across photonics, biology, and data science to ensure robust integration of optical and biological components.
Support collaboration with industrial and academic partners in developing system prototypes and field-testing approaches.
Conduct independent and collaborative research aligned with project objectives goals.
Publish results and present findings at international conferences.
Contribute to research proposal writing and future funding applications.
Supervise, support or mentor postgraduate students/research assistants as appropriate.
Contribute to the efficient and collegial operation of the Biophotonics team.
Participating in education and public engagement activities.
Ensure all activities comply and support with the institutional quality and 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

Ph.D. in Biophotonics or a closely related field
Demonstrated hands-on experience in optical imaging or spectroscopy, preferably in fluorescence lifetime measurements and imaging.
Strong experimental background in optical system design, instrumentation, and alignment.
Proficiency in data acquisition, signal processing, and image analysis.
Experience in algorithm development using Python, MATLAB.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable Criteria

Experience with TCSPC (Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting) FLIM systems.
Experience with system integration, calibration, and performance testing.
Knowledge of biological or metabolic imaging applications.
Experience in developing FLIM analysis tools for Biophotonics applications.
Record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant fields.
Strong project management and collaboration skills.

What We Offer
Apart from offering a position in a 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

This is a short-term position of 1 year within the Biophotonics group.

Appointment may be made on the IUA Scale for Post-Doctoral Researchers € 46,306- € 52,863 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr. Katarzyna Komolibus.
Closing date of applications is 1pm, 19th December 2025.

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.

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.

Postdoctoral Position in Biophotonics

Benefits

Job Description