Graduate Engineer – Work Ready Graduate Training Program

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 MCCI
MCCI is Ireland’s national Microelectronic Circuits Research Centre. Hosted by Tyndall National Institute (www.tyndall.ie), MCCI has a large team of researchers in silicon chip design, at various stages of their careers, from Masters Researcher through to Principal Researcher and all are creating world leading, innovative and high impact Integrated Circuit technologies, which will shape our future lives. Specifically, MCCI’s mission is to conduct industry-driven, excellent research in areas such as Analog Precision Circuits, RF and High-Speed Transceivers, Cryogenic CMOS, and Integrated Power Systems research. For more information, click here.

Introducing the Work Ready Graduate Training Program
The Work Ready Graduate Training Programme is a 12‑month, paid R&D placement where you are employed by UCC/Tyndall and embedded in a host company, with structured training and mentorship from MCCI/Tyndall. The core aim is to turn strong graduates into industry‑ready R&D professionals, while reducing hiring risk for companies and keeping you on a clear development path.

You spend most of your time working on real projects inside an Irish company, rather than rotating through short-term roles. Such a host company will usually be a small-to-medium sized company. You are co‑supervised by a company mentor and an experienced MCCI/Tyndall technical coach, giving you day‑to‑day industrial experience plus access to a wider research community. Alongside this, you attend targeted technical and professional development courses, talks, and workshops throughout the year, building a recognised skills and certification track record.

The programme is funded through Enterprise Ireland and coordinated via MCCI, with Tyndall handling your employment contract. At the end of the program many graduates secure job offers thanks to the combination of project impact, upskilling, and networking. If you want to move quickly from graduate status into a meaningful R&D role with strong mentoring and a clear training structure, this programme is designed to give you that acceleration.

About the Role
We are looking for up to 8 graduates in a variety of technical disciplines to place in host companies to fulfil roles such as:

Hardware Engineer
Software Engineer / Computer Scientist
Embedded Software Engineer
RF Engineer
Quality Engineer (Medical Devices)
Verification Engineer
Test & Validation Engineer

Flexibility to travel is required. This is not a hybrid role, as the industry placement will be on-site at the host company.

In your cover letter please specify your field(s) of interest, any location constraints, and the earliest date you would be available to start the 12-month placement.

Other Responsibilities

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

Bachelor’s degree with 2.1 or higher in Engineering or related field.
Most recent technical degree obtained from a university in the Republic of Ireland.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
Demonstration of initiative, eagerness to learn, adapt, and apply practical knowledge in dynamic environments.
Prior internships or academic or personal projects related to engineering are advantageous.

Desirable Criteria

Master’s degree in Engineering or related field, obtained from an Irish university.

Next Steps

Assess: Candidates will be shortlisted
Meet: Successful candidates will be invited for interviews and matched with an appropriate role in a host company.
Decide: Final candidates will receive offers and initiate their journey with Tyndall and the host company!

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:

A springboard for your career in engineering with potential future opportunities.
A structured, comprehensive, and supportive learning environment.
Engage in real-world projects and operations that shape the technology of the future.
A community where your ideas are valued and your professional growth is prioritized.

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: 1 year
Base: Fixed location in Ireland aligned to Host Company

Appointment may be made on the SEA Scale B salary scale €40,327- €55,667 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy. Multiple appointments may be made.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to paul.hyland@mcci.ie
Closing date for the 1st round of applications for this position is 1pm, April 20th, 2026.

The recruitment process for these roles will run from the closing date until completion in September 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 and how you have demonstrated your eagerness to learn, adapt, and apply practical knowledge in dynamic environments to date. In this cover letter please also specify your placement field(s) of interest (from the list above), any location constraints, and the earliest date you would be available to start the 12-month placement.

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.
By applying you are consenting to Tyndall to share your CV/Resume and cover letter with host companies.

Graduate Engineer – Work Ready Graduate Training Program

Benefits

Job Description