International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory Careers

Postdoctoral Researcher – IC Designer & Design Flow

Job Reference: Ref.68.25.407

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Piteira Research Group

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 36 months

Open Date for Applications: November 11th, 2025

Closing Date for Applications: December 2nd, 2025, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #CMOS #mixedsignaldesign #ICdesign #PDKs

Overview

The Piteira Research Group – System Engineering – is dedicated to bring advanced Nanoeletronics, into mainstream applications within the semiconductor, biomedical, agrifood, industrial, and industrial markets.

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative IC Designer & Design Flow to our group within the scope of national and European funded projects. We expect the candidate to lead and contribute to the design and development of standard and deep sub-micron process nodes design flow and translate the key physical parameters from models to design kits to support full integration of such advanced devices in CMOS processes. The selected candidate will work at the forefront of technology, exploring heterogeneous integration of various sensing technologies with CMOS and methodologies to enable future electronic systems.

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

• Design and fabricate CMOS analog and digital circuits;
• Support analog, digital, and mixed-signal design teams throughout the design cycle, from schematic to layout to tapeout;
• Develop, maintain, and support custom design flows for CMOS IC design using commercial and open-source EDA tools;
• Create and manage Process Design Kits (PDKs) for various foundries and technology nodes supporting custom devices fabricated at INL;
• Automate design tasks using scripting languages (e.g., Python, Tcl, Bash) to improve productivity and consistency;
• Integrate and validate open-source tools (e.g., Magic, KLayout, Xschem, ngspice, OpenROAD, Sky130) into internal workflows;
• Collaborate with foundries and tool vendors to resolve issues and ensure compatibility.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field with a focus on IC design.

Experience and Technical Skills

• Knowledgeable in CMOS process technologies and PDK structures;
• Strong expertise in CMOS design flow using standard EDA tools (e.g., Cadence, Synopsys, Siemens) and open-source tools (e.g., Magic, KLayout, Xschem, ngspice);
• Strong scripting skills (e.g., Python, Tcl, Bash) for automation and tool integration;
• Knowledge of version control systems (e.g., Git) and CI/CD pipelines.

Other Valued Skills

• Experience with tapeout processes and design rule checking (DRC), layout versus schematic (LVS), and parasitic extraction (PEX);
• Experience with cloud-based or containerized design environments;
• Knowledge on MEMS integration, Magnetic sensors, or ultra-low-power design techniques;
• Experience in handling parameters from device characterisation and models for device simulation (FEM, noise and power).

Personal Skills

• Strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to work independently in an exploratory research environment;
• Previous experience working on ground-breaking technologies in a collaborative, intellectually rich environment.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges;
• Private health insurance;
• Family allowances (according to family situation);
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability);
• Support for education fees of dependent children;
• Relocation support;
• 30 working days of annual leave.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

a)     Cover letter;

b)     Curriculum Vitae;

c)      Academic and/or Professional diplomas;

d)     Recognition of academic degrees (only academic degrees awarded by non-Portuguese higher education institutions) *

*The selected candidate(s) with an academic degree granted by a non-Portuguese higher education institution must present, for hiring purposes, the certificate of recognition of that degree(s), issued by the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education or by a Portuguese Public Higher Education Institution. Please consult the website of the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en.

Online application instructions:

1. The application is made online by clicking the “Apply” button;
2. The candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form;
3. The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above in pdf format by including them in the “Additional files” section using the “Add portfolio” button.

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works
 

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions. 

Additional Information

Application feedback

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.