PhD Student in Sustainable Wireless Embedded Systems; F​/M​/D

Overview

Facing the challenges of our time

Help us grow and be more impactful !

Our “Integrated & Wireless Systems” Business Unit based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, is currently looking for a PhD student in Sustainable Smart Ear-Tags for Livestock Localisation and Monitoring
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Your mission

Join our innovative team at CSEM and contribute to the European FERNS Doctoral Network (Holistic integration of eco-Friendly design tools and materials, fabrication technologies for the responsible co-creation of future sustainable integrated electronic systems – Grant agreement ).

You will design and prototype next-generation, eco-designed livestock ear-tags (“Farm Tag”) that enable localisation, classification, and health monitoring of animals.

Your research will combine modular electronics, hybrid-printing processes, and energy-aware embedded computing to develop smart, low-impact devices that respond to the needs of sustainable farming.

This PhD studentship is for 3 years, hosted at CSEM in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, with the doctoral degree awarded by University College Cork (UCC, Ireland) through the Tyndall National Institute.

The successful candidate is expected to begin the programme before April 2026
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Before applying, please check the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network eligibility criteria here:
Marie Curie Doctoral Researchers – FERNS project - Tyndall National Institute - Excellence in ICT Research

Available PhD position at CSEM

Doctoral Researcher 3 (DR3) will contribute to Work Package 3 (Hybrid Integration), led by CSEM.

The focus is to develop sustainable smart ear-tags that integrate sensors, energy sources, communication modules, and embedded computing into a single low-footprint device for livestock localisation and health monitoring.

You will:

• Design the system architecture and eco-design strategy to enable modularity, reuse, repair, and recycling.
• Select and combine sustainable components (e.g., biodegradable substrates, printed antennas, low-power ICs, super-capacitors).
• Exploit energy- and precision-aware IC architectures to support intermittent energy availability while ensuring reliable operation in the field.
• Prototype and validate ear-tag devices (Farm Tag) through laboratory tests and collaborate with partners to prepare for field evaluation.
• Contribute to defining policies for data collection, storage, and execution control in resource-constrained devices.
• Support the environmental impact assessment of the developed technologies.

Your responsibilities

• Conduct high-quality research on hybrid integration of electronics for sustainable livestock ear-tags.
• Develop fully functional prototypes that integrate sensing, localisation, energy harvesting, and wireless data transmission.
• Document the overall manufacturing process and participate in the definition of system-level policies for low-energy devices.
• Collaborate closely with FERNS partners, including secondments at:

Teagasc (Ireland, M12):
Exposure to farming practices and real-world livestock management needs.

Tyndall National Institute (Ireland, M13-22):
Development and integration of bioplastics and temperature sensors for ear-tags.

• Disseminate research results through scientific publications, project reports, and conference presentations.
• Engage in professional training, outreach, and knowledge transfer activities within the FERNS network.
• Comply with CSEM’s quality management and health & safety standards.

Your profile

Know-how

• Bachelor’s Master’s degree in Materials science, electrical materials, bio-sourced materials
  .
• Prior experience with additive manufacturing processes: screen-printing, ink-jetting, dispensing and 3D printing a plus.
• Expertise in the characterization of materials and assemblies (mechanical, electrical, etc.).

Interpersonal skills

• Natural curiosity and ability to adapt to new situations.
• Autonomous and hands-on, motivated in playing a key role in the development of innovative solutions.
• Open-minded attitude and well-developed team-spirit.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

CSEM mission and values

Our mission is the development and transfer of innovative technologies to the Swiss industry. Our objective is to make an…