MSc and PhD Positions Available

4 year PhD Position

Closing date: 1 June 2012

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship to undertake a 4-year project to examine the potential for biogas production from grass. This project is a collaboration between the School of Biology and Environmental Science, UCD and the Teagasc Research Centre at Grange, funded by the Teagasc Walsh Fellowship Scheme.  The successful candidate will be based at the Teagasc campus in  Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath.

Candidates should have a first/upper second-class honours degree in botany/plant biology, environmental biology, environmental engineering, microbiology, agricultural science or a related subject. The stipend is € 21,000 (including fees) per annum.

Applications, including a recent C.V. with the contact details of 2 referees, should be sent to Dr. Doyle or Dr. O’Kiely before Friday 1 June, 2012, at 5pm.

Download full description of project and how to apply (doc)

4 year PhD position (PRTLI5)

Closing Date: 1 February 2012

Mechanobiology of Cell Migration

Download full description of project (doc)

To apply, please send cover letter and CV to: Devrim.kilinc@ucd.ie, by February 1, 2012

3 year PhD studentship position funded by the Environmental Protection Agency.

For informal enquiries please contact:

Prof Wim G. Meijer
Conway Institute
UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science
University College Dublin
Dublin 4
Ireland
Tel (353)-1-716-6825

wim.meijer@ucd.ie    

Description of the project

Recreational use of bathing areas in Ireland predominantly takes place on beaches. Although it has been recognised that these may be contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms, it is unclear what factors contribute to their deposition on beaches and what risks contaminated beaches pose to the general public.

This project combines a microbial and molecular analysis of beach sands with a quantitative microbial risk assessment approach. The project focuses on the association of faecal indicator bacteria and pathogenic microbes with sand particles of dry and wet beaches. It aims to identify health risks associated with beach sand contaminated by faecal pollution and pathogenic microbes, suggest appropriate management measures to reduce these health risks and will evaluate the effectiveness of these measures.

Project team

The successful applicant will join a vibrant team of individuals who are engaging in interdisciplinary research (Microbiology, Hydrology, Computer Science) focusing on water quality. To meet the team please refer to this website http://www.smartcoasts.eu/team/team.asp

Selection criteria and Application Procedure

You should have at least a 2.1 honours BSc degree or equivalent in Microbiology, Environmental Biology, Biochemistry or a related discipline and have an affinity for applied ecological research.  

This three year position includes a stipend of €16,000 and EU student fees (€5,800) per annum. To apply for this position please send your CV and contact details of two references to Professor Wim Meijer (wim.meijer@ucd.ie). Closing date 14 December 2011.

Wellcome Trust 4 year PhD in Computational Infection Biology at University College Dublin.

Application Closing Date:
10.00 am (local time) Friday 20th January 2012.
Interviews will be held in the Conway Institute, UCD on 1st and 2nd of March 2012

For additional details, including the application process, please visit the programme web site:
http://bioinfo-casl.ucd.ie/cib/
Contact details: Bronagh Carey cibphd@ucd.ie
Closing date: 10.00 am (local time) Friday 20th January 2012

University College Dublin has established a 4 year PhD programme in Computational Infection Biology funded by the Wellcome Trust. The first students began in September 2011, and there are 5 studentships available starting in September 2012.
This programme is aimed at students who are interested in integrating computational methods with biological research to investigate the association of pathogens with both animal and human hosts. Students may enter with a background in biological science or in computational or mathematical science.
The programme offers projects in four main areas:
1. Genomic analysis of microbial pathogens of animals and man.
2. Novel and challenging targets in infectious disease.
3. Molecular mechanisms of viral disease.
4. Host-pathogen interactions.
Students in the first year of their PhD take two rotation projects, one in a predominantly biological area, and one in a bioinformatics or computational field. The rotation projects are supplemented by taught modules in areas such as Core Research Skills, Infection Biology, Computer Programming, and Statistics. Students also have the opportunity to study for a certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Students choose their PhD project and the end of year 1, and will have two supervisors, one biological and one computational.
University College Dublin is the largest university in Ireland, with an excellent reputation in research. The programme will be based in the state-of-the-art Conway Institute and the Complex and Adaptive Systems Laboratory on the Belfield campus, and will involve research groups from several schools. Dublin is an exciting and interesting place to live, with a very cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Funding and eligibility
Only applicants from the EU (or resident in the EU under certain conditions) are eligible to apply. The studentships include a maintenance stipend and fees paid at the home/EU rate. Applicants should have at least an upper-second class (II.1) honours or equivalent degree in a relevant subject, and should meet standard UCD English language requirements