About the Project
Advanced manufacturing in the Health and Life Sciences (H&LS) sector increasingly requires compact, lightweight, and high-performance RF components and IoT devices for sensing, instrumentation, medical monitoring, and automated production environments. However, conventional fabrication of RF components—such as antennas, waveguides, filters, and sensing structures—relies heavily on subtractive, energy-intensive processes that generate significant waste and often involve hazardous chemicals. These limitations create sustainability and cost challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
NWCAM2 is a project supported by the PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
This PhD project focuses on developing sustainable, low-carbon additive manufacturing (AM) approaches for RF and IoT components, with an emphasis on electromagnetic efficiency, mechanical resilience, and manufacturability for H&LS applications. The research will investigate how RF/IoT components such as antennas can be fabricated sustainably using additive manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing and printed electronics, while optimising energy consumption, material usage, and overall process efficiency.
The project will explore recyclable, bio-derived, and energy-efficient feedstock materials suitable for RF and IoT applications, alongside the design of antenna and RF structures tailored to additive manufacturing constraints, including polymer-based AM and directed energy deposition (DED). Sustainable process parameters will be developed to minimise waste, reduce post-processing, and support low-waste AM production lines relevant to H&LS factories.
A key element of the research will be the integration of AI-assisted optimisation techniques to enhance manufacturing quality, tune electromagnetic performance, and reduce carbon impact across the design-to-manufacture workflow. The project will demonstrate on-demand printed antennas, lightweight RF modules for medical devices, printed sensors for clinical environments, and rapidly manufacturable IoT devices, with a particular focus on scalability and accessibility for SMEs.
Prototype RF and IoT devices will be validated through comprehensive electromagnetic and mechanical testing, including gain, bandwidth, specific absorption rate (SAR), robustness, and resilience to sterilisation processes. Engagement with SME partners through NWCAM2 will support assessment of manufacturing transferability and real-world industrial relevance.
The Role:
- Investigate recyclable, bio-derived, and energy-efficient feedstock materials optimised for RF and IoT applications.
- Design RF and antenna structures specifically tailored for additive manufacturing constraints (3D printing, DED, polymer AM).
- Develop sustainable AM process parameters to reduce energy consumption, waste, and post-processing requirements.
- Integrate AI-assisted optimisation for manufacturing quality, performance tuning, and carbon-impact reduction.
- Demonstrate prototypes of RF/IoT devices for real H&LS applications (e.g., medical devices, hospital monitoring, smart clinical packaging).
The successful candidate will undertake doctoral research in the design, analysis, and optimization of the manufacture of and sustainable RF components and antenna systems. Work on this project falls within the larger framework of the NWCAM2 research programme, which will address crucial challenges in the life and health sciences sector by supporting SMEs in the PEACEPLUS region in the development of environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes and products – enabling them to innovate, reduce emissions and compete on a global scale. The research may target applications such as wireless communications, satellite systems, radar, IoT, biomedical devices, or emerging technologies (e.g. 5G/6G, mmWave, terahertz, reconfigurable or smart antennas).
The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with other NWCAM2 partners including University of Ulster, IMR and Trinity College. The broader NWCAM programme will combine deep research with practical implementation to ensure tangible benefits, directly supporting SMEs on both sides of the border to embed advanced technologies like additive manufacturing, digital tools, and sustainable materials. Key responsibilities of the researcher will include:
- Conduct original research in antenna theory, materials, design, and implementation
- Develop and analyse antenna structures using analytical, numerical, and simulation methods
- Design, simulate, and optimize antennas using electromagnetic simulation tools
- Fabricate prototypes and perform experimental validation and measurements
- Analyse results and compare simulations with measured data
- Publish research findings in high-quality peer‑reviewed journals and conferences
- Contribute to project reports, presentations, and dissemination activities
- Collaborate with supervisors, researchers, and industry partners
The PhD researcher will be expected to contribute to the following scientific, industrial and sustainable impacts:
- New additive manufacturing routes for RF and IoT components.
- Low-carbon printable materials for H&LS electronics.
- Prototypes demonstrating improved sustainability and reduced emissions.
- Contributions to digital design rules and manufacturing guidelines for SMEs
- Engagement with SME partners via NWCAM2 to assess manufacturing transferability.
Essential Qualifications and Skills
- A minimum 2.1 Honours Degree (or equivalent) in Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering
- Solid Understanding of:
- Electromagnetic theory
- Antenna fundamentals (radiation, impedance matching, bandwidth, efficiency)
- RF and microwave engineering principles
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to write technical reports and prepare scientific publications
- Deliver presentations to diverse audiences
- Work both independently and collaboratively in a research team
- Manage time and research tasks effectively
- Highly self-motivated with a clear interest in interdisciplinary and applied research
- Ability to start position in Ireland immediately and no later than 31st May 2026
- Fluency in English is essential. Candidates whose first language is not English must meet ATU’s minimum English language requirements (e.g. IELTS 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 or equivalent)
Contact
Please send a CV, transcripts, and cover letter outlining your suitability to the role to: Fiona.Barrett@atu.ie referencing project number and NWCAM2 in subject of email.
For Informal enquiries contact Dr. Saleh: sahar.saleh@atu.ie
For more information:
Visit the ATU PhD Page: https://www.atu.ie/research/postgraduate-research-vacancies#phd-researcher
