Open Positions
Job Title
Embedded Systems & Control Engineer: Automation & Research Instruments (Biomedical Applications)
About the Project
This position is part of the StaRes project at Trinity College Dublin, funded by Enterprise Ireland.
StaRes develops novel nanoanalytics and imaging instruments for biomedical research.
The focus is on delivering production ready instruments for investigating molecular processes in human cells and tissues to support drug discovery in translational and precision medicine.
Who should apply
We welcome applications from engineers with industrial or research experience in embedded systems, control engineering, mechatronics, biomedical instrumentation, industrial automation, robotics, analytical devices, or semiconductor instrumentation.
Candidates should enjoy working at the intersection of electronics, automation, and mechanical design, and be open to learning outside their primary discipline. Prior experience in the biomedical field is not required, but if you are eager to apply your skills to scientific and biomedical instrumentation, we especially encourage you to apply.
Role
Develop control and automation systems for next generation biomedical research instruments. These tools enable cutting edge biomedical research and support applications in drug discovery, cancer therapy, and genetic medicine.
Key Responsibilities
Take ownership of control software, automation, system integration, testing, CAD prototyping, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Design, develop, test, and support hardware–software control systems through the full path from prototype to production ready instruments.
Experience implementing embedded automation for sensors, heaters, and actuators, including the design of industrial safety control logic.
Apply engineering standards and procedures throughout system development.
Manage the full lifecycle: requirements, design, coding, testing, and integration.
Produce wiring diagrams, schematics, and test plans.
Collaborate closely with mechanical engineers and scientists to ensure integration of all subsystems, and be open to learning basic aspects of mechanical design where needed for system level integration.
Essential Qualifications
Education or equivalent experience: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechatronics, Electrical, Biomedical, or a related Engineering field, or demonstrated equivalent experience in automation, embedded systems, or instrumentation.
Control systems and programming: Hands on experience with embedded control platforms (e.g., NI CompactRIO, microcontrollers, or PLCs such as Siemens), including implementation of control and safety logic, integration with sensors and actuators, and programming in LabVIEW, C or C++, or PLC environments (e.g., Siemens TIA Portal).
Electronics: Ability to design and test electronic circuits at prototype level, or proven ability to learn and collaborate with electronics engineers.
Design tools: Familiarity with circuit or CAD design tools (e.g., Altium, KiCAD, CATIA, Fusion 360, SolidWorks or similar).
Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment and to adapt across electronics, automation, and mechanical integration.
Desirable
- Experience with thermal control or complex analytical instruments.
- GUI development for instrument control.
- Basic optics or imaging hardware knowledge.
- Experience in the biomedical or life sciences field is not required but highly valued.
Skills
- Methodical and structured approach to decision making.
- Demonstrates good work ethic and ability to meet assigned tasks, responsibilities, objectives, and timelines.
- Strong project management, problem-solving, creative thinking, and analytical skills.
- Strong communicator able to simplify complex technical topics.
- Team-oriented and comfortable collaborating across disciplines.
- Proactive learner who adapts quickly to new technologies
What we offer
Salary in the range of €45,000 – €47,000, with opportunities for advancement, at a point in line with current Government pay policy. Monthly pay scales (tcd.ie).
The chance to contribute to innovative research instrumentation with real biomedical impact.
A collaborative environment with strong potential for professional growth.
Application Process
As part of the recruitment process, candidates may be asked to complete a short practical task or case study related to control systems, demonstrating their approach to design, safety, and integration.
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Closing Date : |
23-Jan-2026 12:00 |
Contact Email: |
How to apply:
To assist the selection process, applicants should submit a Curriculum Vitae and a Cover Letter (maximum one A4 page) that specifically addresses the following points:
Clearly outline relevant experience and how this experience has contributed to their knowledge.
Demonstrate, through past examples, their ability to work on their own initiative and to resolve problems.
Applicants who do not address these requirements in their cover letter will not be considered at the shortlisting stage.
Submit your application to:
Prof. Dr. Martin Hegner,
School of Physics / CRANN
Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
E-mail: martin.hegner@tcd.ie
https://www.tcd.ie/physics/people/martin-hegner/
Further information:
https://www.tcd.ie/physics/people/martin-hegner/stares/
Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
Trinity is Ireland’s leading university and is ranked 75th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026). Founded in 1592, the University is steeped in history with a reputation for excellence in education, research and innovation.
Located on an iconic campus in the heart of Dublin’s city centre, Trinity has 18,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students across our three faculties – Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Engineering, Mathematics and Science; and Health Sciences.
Trinity is ranked as the 31st most international university in the world (Times Higher Education Rankings 2024) and has students and staff from over 120 countries.
The pursuit of excellence through research and scholarship is at the heart of a Trinity education, and our researchers have an outstanding publication record and strong record of grant success. Trinity has developed 19 broad-based multidisciplinary research themes that cut across disciplines and facilitate world-leading research and collaboration within the University and with colleagues around the world. Trinity is also home to 5 leading flagship research institutes:
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI)
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN)
- Trinity Translational Medical Institute (TTMI)
- Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute (TLRH)
- Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN)
Trinity is the top-ranked European university for producing entrepreneurs for the past five successive years and Europe’s only representative in the world’s top-50 universities
(Pitchbook Universities Report).
Trinity is home to the famous Old Library and to the historic Book of Kells as well as other internationally significant holdings in manuscripts, maps and early printed material. The Trinity Library is a legal deposit library, granting the University the right to claim a copy of every book published in Ireland and the UK. At present, the Library’s holdings span approximately 6.5 million printed items, 400,000 e-books and 150,000 e-journals.
With over 120,000 alumni, Trinity’s tradition of independent intellectual inquiry has produced some of the world’s finest, most original minds including the writers Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett (Nobel laureates), the mathematician William Rowan Hamilton and the physicist Ernest Walton (Nobel laureate), the political thinker Edmund Burke, and the former President of Ireland Mary Robinson. This tradition finds expression today in a campus culture of scholarship, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and dedication to societal reform.
Rankings
Trinity is the top ranked university in Ireland and ranked 75th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026). Full details are available at: www.tcd.ie/research/about/rankings.
The Selection Process in Trinity
The Selection Committee (Interview Panel) may include members of the Academic and Administrative community together with External Assessor(s) who are expert in the area. Applications will be acknowledged by email. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt within 1 day of submitting your application online, please contact the named Recruitment Partner on the job specification immediately and prior to the closing date/time.
Given the degree of co-ordination and planning to have a Selection Committee available on the specified date, the University regrets that it may not be in a position to offer alternate selection dates. Where candidates are unavailable, reserves may be drawn from a shortlist. Outcomes of interviews are notified in writing to candidates and are issued no later than 5 working days following the selection day.
In some instances the Selection Committee may avail of telephone or video conferencing. The University’s selection methods may consist of any or all of the following: Interviews, Presentations, Psychometric Testing, References and Situational Exercises.
It is the policy of the University to conduct pre-employment medical screening/full pre-employment medicals. Information supplied by candidates in their application (Cover Letter and CV) will be used to shortlist for interview.
Applications from non-EEA citizens are welcomed. However, eligibility is determined by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and further information on the Highly Skills Eligible Occupations List is set out in Schedule 3 of the Regulations https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Employment-Permit-Eligibility/Highly-Skilled-Eligible-Occupations-List/ and the Ineligible Categories of Employment are set out in Schedule 4 of the Regulations https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Employment-Permit-Eligibility/Ineligible-Categories-of-Employment/ . Non-EEA candidates should note that the onus is on them to secure a visa to travel to Ireland prior to interview. Non-EEA candidates should also be aware that even if successful at interview, an appointment to the post is contingent on the securing of an employment permit.
Equal Opportunities Policy
Trinity is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to employment policies, procedures and practices which do not discriminate on grounds such as gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, religious belief, sexual orientation or membership of the travelling community. On that basis we encourage and welcome talented people from all backgrounds to join our staff community. Trinity’s Diversity Statement can be viewed in full at https://www.tcd.ie/diversity-inclusion/diversity-statement.
Pension Entitlements
This is a pensionable position and the provisions of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 will apply in relation to retirement age for pension purposes. Details of the relevant Pension Scheme will be provided to the successful applicant.
Applicants should note that they will be required to complete a Pre-Employment Declaration to confirm whether or not they have previously availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme of incentivised early retirement or enhanced redundancy payment. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Irish Public Service employment.
Applicants formerly employed by the Irish Public Service that may previously have availed of an Irish Public Service Scheme of Incentivised early retirement or enhanced redundancy payment should ensure that they are not precluded from re-engagement in the Irish Public Service under the terms of such Schemes. Such queries should be directed to an applicant’s former Irish Public Service Employer in the first instance.