Please see below for details of currently advertised PhD and Research Master's funding & scholarship opportunities, offered at UCD or by funding agencies.
Please note that this does not represent an exhaustive list and students are advised to contact the UCD School in which they are interested in studying to ask about current funding possibilities. You can also find helpful guidance on PhD applications in the 'Planning' phase of the UCD PhD Lifecycle.
Project title: HydroGen: Integration of DNA-based assessment tools into water quality and biodiversity monitoring.
Project description: Two opportunities have arisen for suitably qualified and motivated graduates to undertake a PhD within the EPA-funded HydroGen: Integration of DNA-based assessment tools into water quality and biodiversity monitoring project as part of a collaboration between the School of Biology and Environmental Science, UCD; the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research; and Bowburn Consultancy in the UK. The overall objective of the research is to assess how environmental (e)DNA and other DNA-based methods can supplement and support traditional monitoring methods for the Water Framework Directive (WFD) across a range of biological quality elements and for other regulatory targets related to biodiversity in rivers. The proposed project will capitalise on stakeholder knowledge across disciplines to ensure the project meets Ireland’s needs into the future. The research will involve sampling and identification of a range of aquatic biota in rivers using traditional methods, water sampling for eDNA and subsequent laboratory analyses as well as Next Generation Sequencing and bioinformatics.
Qualifications: The successful candidate will hold an honours degree (minimum H2:1) in Marine/Freshwater Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or equivalent. A good knowledge of aquatic ecology, molecular biology, bioinformatics or related subjects would be advantageous. The successful candidate will be required to undertake both field and laboratory work as necessary and will be required to work in an efficient manner to meet the objectives of the project. Molecular benchwork and stream sampling experience are desirable.
Research environment: The student will join a dynamic group of researchers at the Area 52 Research group, UCD, and the Freshwater Research Laboratory. Based at UCD, the students will gain valuable experience working and visiting with our international partners in Norway and England. Students will have access to state of the art equipment and facilities at the participating Institutions and will benefit from the collaboration with the international partners.
Project start date: 31 March 2023
Project duration: 4 years
Conditions: €18,500 per year & postgraduate fees for EU students
Please note: Candidates from outside the EU are eligible to apply, but may be expected to provide evidence of sources of additional funds to cover excesses associated with non-EU fees.
Closing date for receipt of applications: 28 February 2023
Applicants should submit a letter of interest and a detailed CV to: jens.carlsson@ucd.ie
Interviews for the position are expected to take place in March.
Further information on the project may be obtained from: Dr Jens Carlsson (jens.carlsson@ucd.ie), or Prof. Mary Kelly-Quinn (mary.kelly-quinn@ucd.ie)
BRAIN Lab - Brain Ageing & Injury Labatory
A fully-funded 4 year PhD position is available in the School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Stipend:
€18,500 tax-free stipend per annum, plus PhD registration fees.
Project Description:
The worldwide incidence of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) is on the rise and is most prevalent in people younger than 25 and older than 75 years. TBI lie on a continuum from transient symptoms to fatal haemorrhages with mild TBI (mTBI) being the most common type of TBI. It is estimated that 42 million people sustain a mTBI or “concussion” worldwide each year. Current finite element (FE) brain models used to simulate TBI and design preventative, diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic technologies have mostly been developed using adult male data. Therefore, due to the significant morphological differences between male and female brains, the lack of female specific FE brain models may be having a detrimental effect on the advancement of these technologies. Moreover, this may adversely affect progress on reducing the economic, societal, and clinical burdens of TBI.
This project aims to determine the role sex specific biomechanics plays in the initiation and development of TBI by developing advanced FE brain models. These FE models will be used to simulate real world TBI events to determine the differences in biomechanics between men and women. This is a unique challenge in TBI biomechanics with the potential to have life-saving impacts by providing overdue and novel tools to understand the differences of TBI biomechanics in men and women. The outputs of this PhD project have the potential to significantly impact our understanding of TBI and enable the development of advanced sex specific preventative technologies (e.g., helmets). The potential gain from this research cannot be overstated, particularly in its ambition to address the inequality in research and treatment of women’s health.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
The candidate will be required to:
Selection Criteria:
Mandatory:
Desirable:
How to apply:
Please send the following in PDF format to david.macmanus1@ucd.ie
Closing date for applications:
31st March 2023. Applications received after this date will not be considered for this position.
Start Date:
The candidate should be in a position to start their PhD by September 2023.
Informal Enquiries:
Please email any informal enquiries to Dr David MacManus: david.macmanus1@ucd.ie
Supplementary Information:
Role: PhD – Engineering design of a 6U Gamma-Ray Burst detecting CubeSat
Supervisor: Dr. David McKeown, University College Dublin (david.mckeown@ucd.ie)
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled individual to join our team as a PhD student designing a 6U CubeSat in UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Dublin, Ireland. The successful candidate will be responsible for the engineering design of the control systems of the Satellite as well as performing the structural, and thermal analysis before launch.
The successful applicant will also become part of a team of collaboratoer in the UCD school of Physics
Role
The successful candidate will have the following:
The successful applicant will join the Dynamics and Control Systems Group based in UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. The group has over 10 years of experience working of projects with the European Space Agency controlling the flexibility in space structures ranging from launchers, to X-ray telescopes and robotics arms.
The PhD is fully funded by Science Foundation Ireland for 4 years, with the Student receiving a tax free stipend of €18,500 per year. If you are passionate about space engineering and have a drive for innovation, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.
CubeSat mission
Gravitational waves were detected in 2015 for the first time. In 2017, gravitational waves from a binary neutron star merger were detected in coincidence with a gamma-ray burst (GRB) confirming that some short events are produced by mergers. The multi-messenger astrophysics era began, and the discovery highlighted the importance of space missions to detect and localise bursts at a time when gravitational wave systems are becoming more sensitive to merger events. Currently there is a lack of approved future gamma-ray missions to enable similar measurements and scientific discovery. Consequently we will build a 6U CubeSat called Gamma-ray Investigation of the Full Transient Sky or GIFTS.
The proposed design is based on detailed in-house instrument development and on the gamma-ray detector in the 2U CubeSat EIRSAT-1 which is due for launch in 2023.
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to (david.mckeown@ucd.ie).
Applications will be considered up to 17th of February, 2023, with an expectation to start in May 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Applications are invited for a 4-year doctoral scholarship in the School of Archaeology, University College Dublin. The successful candidate will join the European Research Council-funded project Animals and Society in Bronze Age Europe under the supervision of Professor Joanna Brück. The award includes a stipend of €20,000 per annum (for a maximum of four years, renewable each year subject to satisfactory progress), and the full cost of EU fees. A budget for research visits and conference travel is also available. Follow the links for further information on the School of Archaeology and Prof. Brück’s research.
Project Description
Animals and Society in Bronze Age Europe will explore the role of animals as active participants in Bronze Age social worlds. The project will bring together a team of scholars in UCD and elsewhere to undertake contextual, zooarchaeological, iconographic, isotope, organic residue and aDNA analysis to investigate human-animal sociality, examining herd management; patterns of human-animal interaction; animal mobility and exchange; the role of animals in feasting and ritual; and their location in cultural taxonomies.
The doctoral scholar will undertake analysis of animal iconography in the project’s three main study areas: Britain and Ireland; southern Scandinavia and the Low Countries; and southeast Poland. Focusing on cattle and sheep, the scholar will develop a ‘more-than-representational’ approach to zoomorphic artefacts and to depictions of the primary domesticates on rock art and other media. The scholar will collate and analyse data from published and unpublished surveys and excavations, which may require periods of fieldwork and primary research outside of Ireland.
UCD’s School of Archaeology is the largest archaeology department in Ireland, and the successful candidate will join a vibrant interdisciplinary research community. As part of the project team, they will disseminate their research at international conferences and workshops and will contribute to project publications. They will work closely with the other PhD and postdoctoral researchers on the project at UCD and will liaise with project collaborators in other institutions.
Selection Criteria
Mandatory:
Application
In order to apply, please send the following by 28 October 2022 to Prof. Brück (joanna.bruck@ucd.ie):
A shortlist of candidates will be invited for interview by Zoom in the week beginning 14 November 2022. The selected candidate will be required to submit a formal application to UCD School of Archaeology subsequent to the interview. The PhD degree will ideally commence in January 2023 but a start date in May 2023 is also feasible. For further information, contact Joanna.bruck@ucd.ie.
Applications are invited for a 4-year doctoral scholarship in the School of Archaeology, University College Dublin. The successful candidate will join the European Research Council-funded project Animals and Society in Bronze Age Europe under the supervision of Professor Joanna Brück. The award includes a stipend of €20,000 per annum (for a maximum of four years, renewable each year subject to satisfactory progress), and the full cost of EU fees. A budget for research visits and conference travel is also available. Follow the links for further information on the School of Archaeology and Prof. Brück’s research.
Project Description
Animals and Society in Bronze Age Europe will explore the role of animals as active participants in Bronze Age social worlds. The project will bring together a team of scholars in UCD and elsewhere to undertake contextual, zooarchaeological, isotope, iconographic, organic residue and aDNA analysis to investigate human-animal sociality, examining herd management; patterns of human-animal interaction; animal mobility and exchange; the role of animals in feasting and ritual; and their location in cultural taxonomies.
The doctoral scholar will undertake contextual analysis of animal deposits in the project’s three main study areas: southern Britain, northern Netherlands and southeast Poland. The depositional contexts from which animal bone has been recovered (including graves and settlements) will be investigated in order to understand the cultural meanings and values ascribed to animals in this period, including analysis of species composition, body part representation, spatial location, etc. The scholar will collate and analyse data from published and unpublished excavations, which will require periods of primary research outside of Ireland.
UCD’s School of Archaeology is the largest archaeology department in Ireland, and the successful candidate will join a vibrant interdisciplinary research community. As part of the project team, they will disseminate their research at international conferences and workshops and will contribute to project publications. They will work closely with the project zooarchaeologist and will liaise with project collaborators in UCD and other institutions.
Selection Criteria
Mandatory:
Desirable:
Application
In order to apply, please send the following by 28 October 2022 to Prof. Brück (joanna.bruck@ucd.ie):
A shortlist of candidates will be invited for interview by Zoom in the week beginning 14 November 2022. The selected candidate will be required to submit a formal application to UCD School of Archaeology subsequent to the interview. The PhD degree will ideally commence in January 2023 but a start date in May 2023 is also feasible. For further information, contact Joanna.bruck@ucd.ie.
Designation: Ph.D at the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University College Dublin, Ireland. Project start date: 1st Feb , 2023
Supervisor: Aasifa Rounak
Co-Supervisor: Vikram Pakrashi
Collaborator(s): Przemyslaw Perlikowski, Lodz University of Technology, Poland
Key words: Non-linear vibrations, Non-smooth dynamics, Stability, Delay differential equations, Chatter, Metal cutting
This multidisciplinary project is in the area of applied mathematics, nonlinear dynamics and machining applications. The project will address gaps and opportunities in mathematical developments, phenomenological studies and practical applications for subtractive metal cutting. Chatter stability of machining remains to be the main obstacle in increasing the productivity and quality of manufactured parts. Although the understanding of stability for dynamic machining has compounded during the last six decades, the accuracy of stability predictions still suffers due to measurement uncer- tainties, nonlinearities in the machine structure, also the process and time-varying dynamics of machine tools and parts. Studies with such considerations will be taken up by the candidate.
The dynamic models of intermittent and continuous cutting leading to the complexities like frictional chatter will be investigated. The main research objective is to develop a universal suite of numerical and analytical methodologies for the analysis and optimized performance of deterministic and stochastic non-smooth machining applications. The existence of discontinuity induced bifurcations, in cases where intermittent cutting and dry friction are present, will be taken up in detail and the various routes to chaos will be examined.
The successful candidate is expected to have have a strong knowledge and in numerical methods and programming. An experience in nonlinear dynamical systems (coursework or conference/journal publication in the domain) will be preferred. The candidate is expected to have a Masters (or close to completion) in Applied Mathematics, Physics, Applied Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering with focus of nonlinear dynamics, vibrations and control or in a relevant field. The successful appointee will be expected to undertake the following:
The successful applicant will be provided support and mentoring required to develop their academic career in this key position. Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post. The candidate would have to work as a teaching assistant (paid) during the course of his studies. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve. A flexible working schedule may be required to meet all key duties and responsibilities.
Applications, consisting of a CV, research statement/summary, and letter of interest are to be submitted to the corre- sponding email addresses provide below. Candidates can make informal enquiries about this position to Aasifa Rounak (aasifa.rounak@ucd.ie) and/or Vikram Pakrashi (vikram.pakrashi@ucd.ie). The review of applications will begin imme- diately and the shortlisted candidates have to appear for an online interview.
We understand that being diverse makes us better which is why we support a culture of respect and equal opportunity, and value diversity at the heart of what we do. We wish to increase the diversity of our workplace to underpin a dynamic and creative environment, and strongly encourage applications from women, underrepresented minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veteran. Candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities are encouraged to apply.
Position description: Applications are invited for fully funded 4-year PhD positions as well as 2-year Master positions. The start date will be in January, May, or September.
Research project: The positions generally involve theoretical and applied research in electromagnetics and wireless communications. The research projects cover a broad range of topics, with a particular focus on the development of high-performance computational platforms for emerging wireless technologies in intelligent transportation (air, ground, underground), 5G and beyond wireless communications, underwater communications, indoor/outdoor localisation, as well as biomedical sensing and healthcare applications. The successful candidates are expected to conduct research, particularly, but not exclusively in the following projects:
(1) Physics-based wireless channel modelling and measurement for large-scale environments (indoor, outdoor, underground, underwater, intra-body) as well as the intelligent planning and deployment of wireless communication systems/devices for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
(2) Indoor/outdoor localization, electromagnetic sensing, radio wave propagation and scattering.
(3) Multiphysics and multiscale modeling for electromagnetic, micro-/nano-electronic, and biomedical applications.
(4) Application of machine learning or stochastic uncertainty quantification techniques in electromagnetics and wireless communications.
(5) Metasurface assisted wireless communications, reconfigurable intelligent surface, EMC/EMI, RF/microwave/millimeter-wave design & measurement.
Specific research topic for the position will depend on the candidate’s background. The candidate will have a chance to work with industry partners and international collaborators.
Expected qualifications: The successful candidate should hold a Bachelor or Master’s degree in electrical/electronic engineering, computational science, applied mathematics/physics or a related discipline, and should have a solid background in mathematics, electromagnetic and communication theory, as well as programming. Previous related research experience will be a plus.
How to apply: Interested candidates should send an email to Dr. Xingqi Zhang (xingqi.zhang@ucd.ie) along with your CV, academic transcripts, English qualifications, as well as any other documents that you believe can well demonstrate your research capability and potential.
Position Summary
The decarbonisation of the Energy System will play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and help mitigate the impacts of Climate Change. The technical and societal challenges inherent in decarbonisation are set to be enduring challenges of the mid-21st century and ones that will require a whole of society approach, encompassing academia, industry, government, and citizens.
Next Generation Energy Systems (NexSys) is a newly established All Island SFI Strategic Partnership Programme focussed upon the transition to a net zero carbon energy system in Ireland. It is a unique partnership bringing together a multidisciplinary research team, industry, and policy makers to tackle fundamental research questions to be addressed as part of the transition to net Zero. Hosted by UCD Energy Institute, NexSys brings together academics from nine institutions across the Island of Ireland (UCD, TCD, DCU, ESRI, Maynooth University, UCC, NUI Galway, Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast) to work together to meet the unprecedented scale and complexity of the challenges associated with the energy transition.
We are looking for a PhD student to work for 4 years on a fully funded NexSys project in the Work Package “Travel behaviour shift for short & first and last mile trips”.
Aims: The Work Package will test the effectiveness and acceptability of behavioural interventions/ strategies that target car users’ motivations to use low-to-zero emission modes and encourage car-shedding specifically for short distance trips and/or change contextual determinants of travel mode choices to nudge sustainable travel. Short distance trips arguably offer the greatest potential for mode shift away from private vehicles, thus this work will go beyond conventional engineering and economics thinking such as speed and time and examine the human attributes of travel. The potential impact of these behaviour change interventions will later be calculated using macroscopic transport models. The PhD Student will have the opportunity to join several research groups at UCD (NexSys, Civil Engineering, Behavioural Science and Policy, Environmental Policy) and will benefit form a vibrant research culture.
Selection Criteria
The selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.
Tasks: The PhD student will be involved in several collaborative activities, including: literature reviews; the design and execution of a behavioural field experiment (e.g. RCT) trialling a low-emissions strategies to achieve changed travel behaviour related to short distance trips (<5km); the design and analysis of travel diaries collected in the field experiment; interactions with UCD research groups and the larger NexSys team.
Essential skills & experience:
Preferred skills & experience:
Supervision by Dr Páraic Carroll (paraic.carroll@ucd.ie) and Dr Leonhard Lades (leonhard.lades@ucd.ie). If you have questions, please get in touch with these researchers.
Closing date: Applications should be received no later than 23rd September 2022, 5pm (Standard Irish Time).
Application: Apply by sending an email to paraic.carroll@ucd.ie and use “PhD on travel behaviour change” as the subject of the email.
Include one PDF file with the following documents (in English):
After an initial screening, shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an online or in-person meeting.
Starting date: September 2022/ January 2023.
Funding: The PhD position includes paid postgraduate tuition fees and a tax-free yearly stipend (€18,500 per annum) for a period of 4 years. There is also funding for conference travel and for a PC/laptop and materials.
Background: In Ireland, private cars are the biggest contributor to transport emissions as they account for 40% of all transport emissions. An area with significant potential for emissions reduction in the car sector is to target short car trips. This project aims to study how psychological strategies identified in social and cognitive psychology as well as behavioural economics can be used to encourage car users to replace their short car trips by other modes of transportation, via collecting travel diaries of daily travel activities. The underlying assumption is that when people change their perceptions and beliefs, they adapt their behaviour accordingly. This is often done by changing the choice architecture and/or using timely interventions to disrupt the decision-making process. For such measures to be effective in the long term, they need to break travel habits and facilitate the internalisation of new habits. In order to support the just transition model, public acceptance and/or resistance of such interventions will need to be considered to determine social feasibility.
We are seeking a motivated graduate student that is interested in completing a postgraduate research degree and gaining experience as a Physiology Demonstrator.
Lung diseases are one of the commonest causes of death and disability worldwide. Abnormalities of the blood vessels are frequently key mechanisms that initiate or lead to the progression of these diseases. Our research focusses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that cause such abnormalities in the pulmonary circulation in order to identify novel therapeutic interventions.
Located in the Conway Institute, the research project will use cell models of vascular remodelling and inflammation and in vivo murine models of lung disease. It offers opportunities to train in molecular biology, immunoblotting and immunofluorescent techniques, proteomics and advanced microscopy and image analysis techniques. Structured training will be provided through the UCD School of Medicine PhD Programme in Translational Medicine
This full-time scholarship programme offers an €18,000 tax free stipend along with payment of 100% of EU student fees covered. Successful candidates will undertake a research degree programme (MSc or PhD) and be expected to contribute to small-group teaching as a Physiology Demonstrator.
Selection criteria:
APPLICATIONS (CV and cover letter) for Autumn 2022/23
Lisa Bruton, Course Administrator
T: +353 1 716 6606
Informal Enquiries: John.Baugh@ucd.ie
Closing Date: Friday, 2nd September 2022 (5pm)
MSc & PhD Scholarships (MD also available)
We are currently seeking a motivated graduate student to take on the role of a Physiology Demonstrator. This one year (extendable for the duration of research degree) full-time scholarship programme offers an €18,000 tax free stipend along with payment of 100% of EU student fees covered. Successful candidates will undertake a graduate taught or research degree programme and gain experience teaching in small groups. Strong academic skills and competency in Physiology are desirable, along with proficient communication skills.
UCD Physiology integrates an understanding of molecular, cellular, organ system, and whole body functions and how they are influenced by the external environment. The research focus in Physiology at UCD currently involves but is not limited to:
Successful candidates can select from a range of project options that predominantly translate to clinical challenges in the above areas and are suitable for MSc or PhD degrees.
Selection criteria:
Good working knowledge of Biology/Physiology
BSc in Physiology or related biomedical subject (2.1 or higher desirable)
Proven communication skills
APPLICATIONS (CV and cover letter) for Autumn 2022/23
Lisa Bruton, Course Administrator
T: +353 1 716 6606
Informal Enquiries: John.Baugh@ucd.ie
Closing Date: Friday, 2nd September 2022 (5pm)
Project description:
Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials exhibit exceptional multifunctional properties, including high-electron mobilities/saturation velocities, high surface-to-volume ratios, unique layered structures and mechanical compliance, positioning the class of materials to be influential in next-generation flexible electronics for applications in wearables and the Internet of things. Among them, two-dimensional 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) semiconductors are highly promising, owing to their large mechanical resilience coupled with superior transport properties and van der Waals attraction-enabled relaxed assembly. Generally, fabrication of 2D TMD devices requires wafer-scale 2D TMD growth, layer-by-layer integration, precision patterning, 2D heterolayers and applications. This project aims to develop precision patterning and integration technology of 2D materials with various potential applications in electronic devices, flexible electronics, biosensors and nanophotonics.
Qualification:
The candidate should have a 1st or 2:1 Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s in Material Science and Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, electronic engineering and mechanical engineering or a related area. The ideal candidate should have experience with 2D materials, synthesis, lithography, PVD/CVD and material characterization. The candidate should have excellent communication and organizational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about fundamental research; and have strong written, oral and interpersonal skills. The candidate should be able to work independently and as a part of a team.
Funding:
This project has been fully funded for four years. The PhD studentship covers tuition fees for EU applicants and a tax-free stipend of €18,000 per year, and an allowance is provided for research consumables and conference attendance.
To Apply:
The successful applicant will join the MNMT-Dublin, group of polymer micro/nano manufacturing. The group has 10 years of experience in precision fabrication of micro/nano mould tools, replication of multi-scale polymeric structures and application towards nanomedicine synthesis and molecular diagnostics. Our team has been funded by many sources from H2020, Science Foundation Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. We have a full set of equipment from Lithography, physical vapour deposition, chemical vapor deposition, precision electroforming, nanoimprinting, micro injection moulding, 3D microscope, AFM and Bruker NPFlex etc.
Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their suitability for the post, a detailed CV, transcripts and the contact details of three referees. The application pack should be emailed to Dr Nan Zhang (nan.zhang@ucd.ie).
The School of English, Drama and Film at University College Dublin is pleased to announce an IRC-funded doctoral scholarship is available to work in an interdisciplinary team under the leadership of Dr Sarah Comyn. The award includes a stipend of €18,500 per annum (for a maximum of four years, renewable each year subject to satisfactory progress), and a contribution to fees, including non-EU fees, up to a maximum of €5,750 per annum. A modest travel and conference stipend is also available. For more information about the School. You can find Dr Comyn’s research profile.
Project Description
The IRC-funded project, Imperial Minerals, will explore the impact of extractive mineral industries on the developing Anglophone literary cultures of the British settler colonies of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa from 1842-1910. The doctoral scholar will work on the labour regimes accompanying the extraction of copper, diamonds, and gold in the settler colonies, investigating the literary responses to critical labour events such as: strikes, mining accidents, migrant rushes, and racial riots and attacks.
Scholarship Description
In the first year of the program, the student will work with the Supervisor to develop their own independent doctoral thesis on the literary cultures of nineteenth-century labour regimes of mineral extraction. Over the term of the fellowship, the student will contribute to an interdisciplinary team developing a wiki-style database of the literary cultures of mineral extraction in the settler colonies. The doctoral student will join a vibrant interdisciplinary research community, with regular seminars, workshops, and symposia. The student will be expected to take a leading role in the planning and hosting of the project seminar series and symposium.
Essential Criteria
Application
In order to apply, please send the following by 5pm (GMT) on 1 July 2022 to Dr Comyn (sarah.comyn@ucd.ie):
A shortlist of candidates will be invited for interview by video conferencing in the week beginning 11 July. The selected candidate will be required to submit a formal application to UCD School of English, Drama and Film. All awards will commence in September 2022 and it is a requirement that applicants have been awarded a master’s degree before commencing the PhD studentship.
The School of English, Drama and Film at University College Dublin is pleased to announce a doctoral scholarship to work as part of a project team under the supervision of Associate Professor Adam Kelly. The award includes a stipend of €18,500 per annum (for a maximum of four years, renewable each year subject to satisfactory progress), and a contribution to fees, including non-EU fees, up to a maximum of €5,750 per annum. A budget for conference travel is also available. For more information about the School. You can find Dr Kelly’s research profile.
Project Description
The project, “Imaginative Literature and Social Trust, 1990-2025,” has been funded by the Irish Research Council. It will address representations of social trust in American, Irish, and Russian literature published after 1990, taking a comparative perspective and with a particular focus on the impact of digital technologies, the global economy, and institutions of literary culture. The doctoral scholar will work on the representation of social trust in contemporary Irish literature (primarily prose fiction) in this period, and will work with the Supervisor to develop an independent PhD thesis on this topic.
Scholarship Description
The doctoral student will join a vibrant interdisciplinary research community, with regular seminars, workshops, and symposia. As part of the project team, they will disseminate their research at international conferences and workshops, and co- organise two conferences at UCD.
Essential Criteria
Application
In order to apply, please send the following by 10 July 2022 to Dr Kelly (adam.kelly@ucd.ie):
A shortlist of candidates will be invited for interview by video conferencing in the week beginning 18 July. The selected candidate will be required to submit a formal application to the UCD School of English, Drama and Film subsequent to the interview. All awards will commence in September 2022 and it is a requirement that applicants have been awarded a master’s degree before commencing the PhD studentship.
PhD studentship (Reference 3.3): “Intra-articular of an anti-inflammatory molecule entrapped in a solid lipid nanoparticle” A four-year Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)-funded post via the SFI CÚRAM Centre for Medical Devices at University College Dublin (UCD).
Project Description:
Patients with arthritic knees are limited in their therapy options to orally-administered anti-inflammatory agents, which are toxic over the long term. When the disease becomes more severe, the two main options are steroid and hyaluronic acid injections into the knee. The outcomes are sub-optimal, largely because joint retention is low, hence the need for more regular painful injections. The project will examine how to make a long-acting injectable lipid nanoparticle formulation of an anti-inflammatory prodrug steroid molecule. Questions the candidate will pursue are to devise a bespoke formulation of the molecule for entrapment in a solid lipid nanoparticle, how to optimise the loading and release of the molecule from nanoparticles in simulated joint conditions, how the particle-released drug retains its anti-inflammatory effects on cultured human synoviocytes, and safety and efficacy assessment in a preclinical animal model of arthritis. The Brayden lab has experience of making nanoparticles to treat arthritis, has access to an Ignite™ solid lipid nanoparticle synthesis system from Precision Nanosystems, and is also part of the SFI CÚRAM Centre for Medical Devices with access to national expertise.
The candidate will be working under the supervision of Prof. David Brayden in the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and UCD Conway Institute. Relevant papers relating to how the Brayden lab has made other nanoparticle constructs for arthritis are at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23391443/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29947020/
Qualifications:
The candidate should have a 1st class or a 2:1 Honours B.Sc. and a Master’s in any of the following areas: nanomedicine, biomaterials, biomedical engineering, chemistry, tissue engineering, medicine, cell biology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical formulation or in a related area. The ideal candidate should have experience in a selection from the following techniques: cell biology; nanoparticle synthesis and characterisation, cell culture, biomaterial fabrication/synthesis, analytical methods, animal models of arthritis. Candidates should have excellent communication and organisational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about developing new medicinal products; and have strong written, oral, and interpersonal skills. The candidate should be able to work independently and as a part of team. Leadership skills are desirable for this Fellowship.
Funding Details: €18,500 stipend per annum for 4 years with PhD fees included.
Start Date: The post is available from October 1st , 2022.
Organisation:
Further information on research and working at UCD is available on: www.ucd.ie. UCD provides a research and professional development plan for PhD researchers, which provides credit-bearing modules to support the main research thesis. All positions at UCD are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency-based recruitment. UCD is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applicants to consult UCD’s equality, diversity and inclusion policies here https://www.ucd.ie/equality/. Other useful sites are: UCD Strategy 2020-2024: Rising to the Future https://strategy.ucd.ie/ , The College: http://www.ucd.ie/chas/ ; The School: https://www.ucd.ie/vetmed/. The SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM – www.curamdevices.ie) is a national, SFI funded research centre that brings together researchers from across Ireland. The prime objective for CÚRAM is to radically improve health outcomes for patients by developing innovative implantable ‘smart’ medical devices to treat major medical needs. Implants will be designed and manufactured to respond to the body’s environment and to deliver therapeutic agents, such as drugs, exactly where needed. Cutting-edge science will develop devices using the very latest research from biomaterials and drug delivery and the support of strong clinical collaborations, industry partners and hospital groups to enable rapid translation to the clinic. To
Apply: Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their suitability to the post, a detailed CV, and the contact details of three referees. The application pack should be emailed to Professor David Brayden david.brayden@ucd.ie. Closing date for receipt of applications is 17.00 on July 15th, 2022. Shortlisted candidates will be further evaluated for their writing ability through an essay on a given topic and subsequently interviewed.
For overseas candidates, information on moving to Ireland is at: www.euraxess.ie
UCD reserves the right to readvertise or extend the closing date for this post.
PhD studentship (Reference 1.02): “Design of a buccal patch for delivery of a GLP-1 peptide” A four-year Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)-funded post via the SFI CÚRAM Centre for Medical Devices at University College Dublin (UCD).
Project Description:
Delivery of peptides via non-injected routes remains an unmet medical need. Delivery across the cheek is attractive and has some advantages over oral including avoidance of a food effect and a lower first pass effect. We have discovered a permeation enhancer that can be incorporated into a buccal patch system (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33524502/) . The candidate will be tasked with designing a patch system based on a layer-by-layer construct with an adhesive, a layer of a model peptide: a Glucagon-like-1 (GLP-1) analogue, the enhancer, and a backing layer. The patch will be made synthetically and also by 3D printing. The hypothesis to test will be to design an optimised patch that will deliver sufficient peptide quickly a nd safely across isolated porcine buccal mucosae and then to assess bioavailability in anaesthetised pigs. The multi-disciplinary project will be supported by PI researchers based at NUI Galway and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Both of the supervising Professors are part of the SFI CÚRAM Centre for Medical Devices.
The candidate will be working under the supervision of Prof. David Brayden (lead) and Eoin O’Cearbhaill in the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and UCD Conway Institute (DB) and the UCD School of Mechanical Engineering and Materials. A review relating to buccal delivery of peptides is at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28800417/
Qualifications:
The candidate should have a 1st class or a 2:1 Honours B.Sc. and a Master’s in any of the following areas: biomaterials, biomedical engineering, 3D printing, chemistry, medicine, cell biology, pharmacology, pharmaceutical formulation or in a related area. The ideal candidate should have experience in a selection from the following techniques: cell biology, patch designs, cell culture, biomaterial fabrication/synthesis, analytical methods, animal models of drug absorption. Candidates should have excellent communication and organisational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about developing new medicinal products; and have strong written, oral, and interpersonal skills. The candidate should be able to work independently and as a part of team. Leadership skills are desirable for this Fellowship.
Funding Details: €18,500 stipend per annum for 4 years with PhD fees included.
Start Date: The post is available from October 1st, 2022.
Organisation:
Further information on research and working at UCD is available on: www.ucd.ie. UCD provides a research and professional development plan for PhD researchers, which provides credit-bearing modules to support the main research thesis. All positions at UCD are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency-based recruitment. UCD is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applicants to consult UCD’s equality, diversity and inclusion policies here https://www.ucd.ie/equality/ . Other useful sites are: UCD Strategy 2020-2024: Rising to the Future https://strategy.ucd.ie/ , The College: http://www.ucd.ie/chas/. The School: https://www.ucd.ie/vetmed/. The SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM – www.curamdevices.ie ) is a national, SFI funded research centre that brings together researchers from across Ireland. The prime objective for CÚRAM is to radically improve health outcomes for patients by developing innovative implantable ‘smart’ medical devices to treat major medical needs. Implants will be designed and manufactured to respond to the body’s environment and to deliver therapeutic agents, such as drugs, exactly where needed. Cutting-edge science will develop devices using the very latest research from drug delivery and the support of strong clinical collaborations, industry partners and hospital groups to enable rapid translation to the clinic.
To Apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their suitability to the post, a detailed CV, and the contact details of three referees. The application pack should be emailed to Professor David Brayden david.brayden@ucd.ie. Closing date for receipt of applications is 17.00 on July 15th, 2022. Shortlisted candidates will be further evaluated for their writing ability through an essay on a given topic and subsequently interviewed.
For overseas candidates, information on moving to Ireland is at: www.euraxess.ie
UCD reserves the right to readvertise or extend the closing date for this post.
College / Management Unit: UCD College of Arts and Humanities
School / Unit / Institute: UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy
Research Title: Doctoral Students (2)
Post Duration: Full time for four years
Research Project: ERC Project
Reports to / Principal Investigator: Professor Kathleen James-Chakraborty
Position Summary:
Applications are invited for two fully funded 4-year doctoral student positions in the UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy. The successful candidates will join a European Research Council (ERC) advanced project under the supervision of Prof. Kathleen James-Chakraborty entitled “Expanding Agency: Women, Race, and the Global Dissemination of Modern Architecture.” Its focus is the period 1920 to 1970. UCD’s School of Art History and Cultural Policy is the largest art history department in Ireland, and the successful candidates will join a thriving research community closely connected with a range of national and international museums and cultural institutions.
One aspect of “Expanded Agency” focuses on the way in which modern architecture and design were “sold” to middle class and elite female consumers, often by female journalists, through magazines focused on home décor (the shelter press) and fashion, and through the women’s pages of newspapers. Candidates are sought who are interested in examining this body of literature, whether produced in Europe, the rest of English-speaking world, or the Global South. They will analyse what it can tell us about the shaping of female taste, the work of women makers, and the careers of female journalists. The ability for each candidate to compare material from at least two countries is particularly desired. Although much of this material has been digitized, it may be necessary to undertake research visits to libraries and archives abroad.
Successful candidates will have a strong academic background, including a master degree, in art history, architecture, or a closely related discipline, such as gender studies or history. They should have experience undertaking research, including working with primary sources. They should be highly motivated and be able to write well. One position is reserved for someone with a strong reading knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese, who will work at least in part on Latin America.
As doctoral students the successful candidates will work to ensure the effective delivery of the 5-year research project alongside two postdocs and other members of the research team, of which they will be valued members. They will attend a reading group their first three autumn semesters, attending regular team meetings across all fours years of their doctoral study, and contribute to an exhibition of project results that will travel to ten architecture schools, five in Europe and five in the global south. They will also be expected to prepare papers for presentations at national and international conferences and to begin to submit their work for peer-reviewed publication.
Non-EU applicants are welcome to apply as the full fees can be covered for one such successful applicant. In addition to covering all tuition fees, funding for these positions includes an annual stipend of 20,000 euros. Additional funds are available for a laptop, travel to conferences, research visits to libraries abroad, and to cover the cost of illustration permissions and open access fees for peer-reviewed publications.
APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT a cover letter, a C.V., names and addresses (including e-mails) of two referees, and a writing sample via e-mail to Jenny.Devine@ucd.ie BY 10 JUNE 2022. Applications will be reviewed by a committee at School level, and will be informed by the first half of July, at which time successful applicants may formally apply for admission to UCD.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
The doctoral students will work closely with James-Chakraborty, the other members of the research team, and to ensure the efficient and effective overall running of the project.
Research
Selection Criteria:
Mandatory:
Desirable:
Background
Applications are invited for a 4-year PhD studentship in the area of sensory feedback for upper limb prosthetics with the Neuromuscular Systems Research Laboratory at University College Dublin (https://www.ucd.ie/neuro/). The PhD project is part of a SFI-IRC Pathway programme, and will be supervised by Dr Sigrid Dupan. The project studies the roles of sensory feedback at distinct stages of prosthetic use, from initial motor learning to home use of feedback devices. The project aims to lower prosthesis acceptance barriers, enhance prosthetic function, and will outline a data-driven approach to personalisation of sensory feedback. The PhD candidate will develop a computational model of the impact of sensory feedback on prosthetic skill. To achieve this, they will actively engage with project stakeholders, and collect closed loop myoelectric control data. The project will start in September 2022.
Who should apply
Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second class honours Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical/Electronic/Computer/Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience, or Informatics (or a related discipline). Suitable candidates will have a strong interest in biomedical/neural engineering and neuroscience, and will have excellent analytical and communication skills. Experience in computational neuroscience, biomedical signal analysis, or machine learning are an advantage.
Funding
The PhD studentship covers tuition fees for EU applicants and a tax free stipend of €18,500 per year. An annual allowance is provided for research consumables and conference attendance and for a 3-month research visit in year 3.
How to apply
Please send a cover letter (1 page max), CV, and academic transcript to Dr Sigrid Dupan (current email: sigriddupan@gmail.com) or Professor Madeleine Lowery (madeleine.lowery@ucd.ie) by June 30, 2022.
Background
Biosecurity is currently a ‘hot topic’ with the roll out of the DAFM National Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy. Currently there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the biosecurity of Irish dairy farms and the efficacy of any measures that might be taken to improve farm biosecurity. The aims of this project are to assess biosecurity status and investigate the impact of targeted interventions to improve biosecurity.
A nationally representative sample of dairy farmers will be used to benchmark the current biosecurity standards across Irish dairy farms. Secondly, using national databases, we will select three groups: 1) no assessment/no intervention, 2) biosecurity assessment and 3) biosecurity assessment and intervention. Assessment will involve annual administration of Irish and international (Biocheck) biosecurity surveys. Intervention will involve on-farm delivery of consensual, prioritised recommendations to farmers annually. The herd health/production and economic outcomes of all three groups will be monitored over three years. Ultimately the objective is to determine whether adoption of biosecurity measures following a biosecurity audit impacts herd biosecurity/health/ production and profit.
The successful PhD candidate will work in an international team involving male and female researchers from Teagasc, UCD, Animal Health Ireland, DAFM, ICBF, University of Ghent, and NUI Galway. This team will support the student to develop their existing skills and to learn new research skills with the ultimate aim of writing and publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers and finally their PhD. The student will also have the opportunity to attend and present their research findings at national and international conferences. During their time in this project the student will build up their own professional network, skills and publication record which they will take forward into their future career.
Requirements
Candidates should have a first or upper second-class honours degree or M.Sc. in an appropriate discipline (Veterinary Science, Animal or Agricultural Science or similar). Candidates with a veterinary degree or further relevant qualifications, in particular the ECBHM Diploma, will have a significant advantage. The candidate must be proficient in both written and spoken English. A full EU (B) driving licence is required. For applicants whose first language is not English, requirements outlined here.
Award
The PhD Scholarship is a joint research project between Teagasc, Moorepark and University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin. The student will be based at the Teagasc Research Centre, Fermoy, Ireland and will be registered at UCD (Dublin Campus) working under the supervision of Dr. John Mee (Teagasc) and Dr. Conor McAloon (UCD). The Scholarship will start on the 2nd September 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter. The scholarship funding is €24,000 per annum for four years and includes University fees of up to a maximum of €6,000 per annum.
Further Information
For informal enquires and further information regarding the position, please contact: Dr. John Mee, Principal Veterinary Research Scientist, Teagasc. Email: john.mee@teagasc.ie
Application Procedure
Submit an electronic copy of your current Curriculum Vitae and a brief letter of interest detailing your motivation, qualifications and experience simultaneously to: Dr. John Mee (john.mee@teagasc.ie) and Dr. Conor McAloon (conor.mcaloon@ucd.ie).
Closing Date: 5.00pm, 1st July 2022.
Background
The transition period is a key determinant of lactation performance, health and welfare in dairy cows. The particularities of the Irish dairy production system (compact spring-calving) highlight the importance of directing efforts to guarantee a smooth transition from late-pregnancy into lactation. Optimising management during this period will prevent and minimise undesired health, production and reproduction impacts, maximise the economic return for Irish farmers from their cows, whilst also maintaining high animal welfare standards. However, there is lack of current data on transition cow health and management in Irish dairy herds. It is therefore possible that the transition period holds large potential for Irish dairy production advance towards improved sustainability. In this project, a comprehensive and integrated national level description of transition cow health and management will be pursued. Using survey tools and targeted blood analytes determinations, transition cows’ nutrition, health, management and antimicrobial use will be described in a large representative sample of national herds. Further, epidemiological data analyses will allow for 1) the identification of management and cow-level risk factors for suboptimal transition health, and 2) the quantification of suboptimal transition health impact on Irish dairy cows performance.
The successful PhD candidate will work as part of a collaborative team, which includes academic and policy experts in the field of animal health and management. The student will have the opportunity to develop his/her skills in a broad range of areas, including animal health and management assessment, data management and analysis, writing and publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers, and networking with experts in the field. The student will also have the opportunity to attend and present research findings at (inter)national conferences. This position will allow the candidate the opportunity to work at Ireland’s leading agricultural research organisation, attain a PhD from a well-recognised Irish University, to gain a skillset and qualification that will equip them for a wide variety of future careers, and to significantly contribute to the improvement of transition dairy cow health and management in Ireland.
Requirements
Candidates should have a first or upper second-class honours degree or M.Sc. in an appropriate discipline (Veterinary Science, Agricultural Science or similar). Candidates with veterinary experience will have a significant advantage. The successful candidate should be highly self-motivated and be prepared for intensive periods of field work with animals in different locations. The candidate must be proficient in both written and spoken English. A full EU (B) driving licence is required. For applicants whose first language is not English, requirements outlined here.
Award
The PhD Scholarship is a joint research project between Teagasc, Moorepark and University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin. The student will be based at the Teagasc Research Centre, Fermoy, Ireland and will be registered at UCD(Dublin Campus) working under the supervision of Dr. Ainhoa Valldecabres (Teagasc) and Dr. Conor McAloon (UCD). The scholarship will start on the 1stSeptember2022 or as soon as possible thereafter. The scholarship funding is€24,000 per annum and includes University fees of up to a maximum of €6,000 per annum and is tenable for four years.
Further Information/Applications
For informal enquires and further information regarding the position, please contact:
Dr. Ainhoa Valldecabres, Veterinary Herd Health Research Officer, Teagasc.
email: Ainhoa.Valldecabres@teagasc.ie
Application Procedure
Submit an electronic copy of your current Curriculum Vitae and a brief letter of interest detailing your motivation, qualifications and experience simultaneously to:
Dr. Ainhoa Valldecabres (Ainhoa.Valldecabres@teagasc.ie) and Dr. Conor McAloon (conor.mcaloon@ucd.ie).
Closing Date
12.00pm, 24th June 2022. Interviews for selected candidates will take place during the 2nd week July 2022.
Description:
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a fully funded (fees and stipend), full-time PhD position at the University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. University College Dublin is ranked within the top 1 % of higher education institutions world-wide. The project aims to develop advanced therapy medicinal products for tendon engineering purposes. The three-dimensional constructs will be developed using state-of-the-art biofabrication technologies (e.g. bioprinting, electrospinning) and an appropriate cell population (e.g. permanently differentiated, stem cells). The produced tissue engineered medicines will be characterised using an array of biochemical, biophysical, biomechanical and biological methods. Preclinical analysis of the produced tissue-like moduli will also be conducted.
Funding Agency:
The project is funded from the European Research Council, Consolidator Grant.
Qualifications / Expertise:
The candidate should have a 1st or 2:1 Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s in biomaterials, biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, cell biology, biology, biochemistry, or in a related area. The ideal candidate should have experience in as many of the following techniques: scaffold fabrication and characterisation; cell (permanently differentiated and stem cells) culture; molecular biology; protein and gene analysis; preclinical analysis; histology; and immunohistochemistry. The candidate should have excellent communication and organisational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about developing new products; and have strong written, oral and interpersonal skills. The candidate should be able to work independently and as a part of team.
Duties:
The successful candidate will be involved in: Scaffold fabrication and characterisation; Cell acquisition from human tissues; In vitro biophysical, biomechanical, biochemical, biological characterisation of the produced scaffolds; Preclinical evaluation of the produced advanced therapy medicinal products; Conference and Meeting attendance and participation; Report and paper writing; Participation to training courses; Undergraduate teaching and/or laboratory demonstrations; Travel to project partners’ institutes; Other duties relevant to the post.
Start Date:
September 2022 or soon after that.
To Apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their suitability to the post, a detailed CV, transcripts and the contact details of three referees. The application pack should be emailed to Prof. Dimitrios Zeugolis (dimitrios.zevgolis@ucd.ie). Closing date for receipt of applications is 12:00 on Friday, 29th of July 2022.
Description:
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a fully funded (fees and stipend), full-time PhD position at the University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. University College Dublin is ranked within the top 1 % of higher education institutions world-wide. The project aims to develop advanced therapy medicinal products for wound healing purposes. The three-dimensional constructs will be developed using state-of-the-art biofabrication technologies (e.g. bioprinting, electrospinning) and an appropriate cell population (e.g. permanently differentiated, stem cells). The produced tissue engineered medicines will be characterised using an array of biochemical, biophysical, biomechanical and biological methods. Preclinical analysis of the produced tissue-like moduli will also be conducted.
Funding Agency:
The project is funded from the European Research Council, Consolidator Grant.
Qualifications / Expertise:
The candidate should have a 1st or 2:1 Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s in biomaterials, biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, cell biology, biology, biochemistry, or in a related area. The ideal candidate should have experience in as many of the following techniques: scaffold fabrication and characterisation; cell (permanently differentiated and stem cells) culture; molecular biology; protein and gene analysis; preclinical analysis; histology; and immunohistochemistry. The candidate should have excellent communication and organisational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about developing new products; and have strong written, oral and interpersonal skills. The candidate should be able to work independently and as a part of team.
Duties:
The successful candidate will be involved in: Scaffold fabrication and characterisation; Cell acquisition from human tissues; In vitro biophysical, biomechanical, biochemical, biological characterisation of the produced scaffolds; Preclinical evaluation of the produced advanced therapy medicinal products; Conference and Meeting attendance and participation; Report and paper writing; Participation to training courses; Undergraduate teaching and/or laboratory demonstrations; Travel to project partners’ institutes; Other duties relevant to the post.
Start Date:
September 2022 or soon after that.
To Apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their suitability to the post, a detailed CV, transcripts and the contact details of three referees. The application pack should be emailed to Prof. Dimitrios Zeugolis (dimitrios.zevgolis@ucd.ie). Closing date for receipt of applications is 12:00 on Friday, 29th of July 2022.
Description:
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a fully funded (fees and stipend), full-time PhD position at the University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. University College Dublin is ranked within the top 1 % of higher education institutions world-wide. The project aims to develop in vitro drug discovery skin models using appropriate human cells (e.g. diabetic, fibrosis). State-of-the-art biofabrication (e.g. bioprinting, electrospinning, decellularisation) and cell culture (e.g. bioreactors, hypoxia chambers) technologies will be utilised. The produced three-dimensional models will be characterised using an array of biochemical, biophysical, biomechanical and biological methods. Various drugs will be screened to assess the efficiency of the model.
Funding Agency:
The project is funded from the European Research Council, Consolidator Grant.
Qualifications / Expertise:
The candidate should have a 1st or 2:1 Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s in biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, cell biology, biology, connective tissue biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or in a related area. The ideal candidate should have experience in as many of the following techniques: scaffold fabrication and characterisation; cell culture; molecular biology; protein and gene analysis; immunohistochemistry; and histology. The candidate should have excellent communication and organisational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about developing new products; and have strong written, oral and interpersonal skills. The candidate should be able to work independently and as a part of team.
Duties:
The successful candidate will be involved in: Scaffold fabrication and characterisation, including cell derived matrices development; Cell acquisition from human tissues; In vitro biophysical, biomechanical, biochemical, biological characterisation of the produced in vitro models; Drug screening; Conference and Meeting attendance and participation; Report and paper writing; Participation to training courses; Undergraduate teaching and/or laboratory demonstrations; Travel to project partners’ institutes; Other duties relevant to the post.
Start Date:
September 2022 or soon after that.
To Apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their suitability to the post, a detailed CV, transcripts and the contact details of three referees. The application pack should be emailed to Prof. Dimitrios Zeugolis (dimitrios.zevgolis@ucd.ie). Closing date for receipt of applications is 12:00 on Friday, 29th of July 2022.
Description:
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a fully funded (fees and stipend), full-time PhD position at the University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. University College Dublin is ranked within the top 1 % of higher education institutions world-wide. The project aims to develop in vitro drug discovery tumour models using appropriate human cells (e.g. breast cancer). State-of-the-art biofabrication (e.g. bioprinting, electrospinning, decellularisation) and cell culture (e.g. bioreactors, hypoxia chambers) technologies will be utilised. The produced three-dimensional models will be characterised using an array of biochemical, biophysical, biomechanical and biological methods. Various anticancer compounds will be screened to assess the efficiency of the model and to obtain new fundamental knowledge about the mechanisms of carcinogenesis.
Funding Agency:
The project is funded from the European Research Council, Consolidator Grant.
Qualifications / Expertise:
The candidate should have a 1st or 2:1 Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s in biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, cell biology, biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or in a related area. The ideal candidate should have experience in as many of the following techniques: scaffold fabrication and characterisation; cell culture; molecular biology; protein and gene analysis; immunohistochemistry; and histology. The candidate should have excellent communication and organisational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about developing new products; and have strong written, oral and interpersonal skills. The candidate should be able to work independently and as a part of team.
Duties:
The successful candidate will be involved in: Scaffold fabrication and characterisation, including cell derived matrices development; Cell acquisition from human tissues; In vitro biophysical, biomechanical, biochemical, biological characterisation of the produced in vitro models; Anti-tumour drug screening; Conference and Meeting attendance and participation; Report and paper writing; Participation to training courses; Undergraduate teaching and/or laboratory demonstrations; Travel to project partners’ institutes; Other duties relevant to the post.
Start Date:
September 2022 or soon after that.
To Apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their suitability to the post, a detailed CV, transcripts and the contact details of three referees. The application pack should be emailed to Prof. Dimitrios Zeugolis (dimitrios.zevgolis@ucd.ie). Closing date for receipt of applications is 12:00 on Friday, 29th of July 2022.
Description:
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a fully funded (fees and stipend), full-time PhD position at the University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. University College Dublin is ranked within the top 1 % of higher education institutions world-wide. The project aims to develop in vitro meat products using appropriate farm animal cells (e.g. permanently differentiated and stem cells). State-of-the-art biofabrication (e.g. bioprinting, electrospinning) and cell culture (e.g. bioreactors, hypoxia chambers) technologies will be utilised. The produced cellular agriculture meat products will be characterised using an array of biochemical, biophysical, biomechanical and biological methods.
Funding Agency:
The project is funded from the European Research Council, Consolidator Grant.
Qualifications / Expertise:
The candidate should have a 1st or 2:1 Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s in biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, cell biology, biology, connective tissue biology, biochemistry, food science and technology, or in a related area. The ideal candidate should have experience in as many of the following techniques: scaffold fabrication and characterisation; cell (permanently differentiated and stem cells) culture; molecular biology; protein and gene analysis; immunohistochemistry; and histology. The candidate should have excellent communication and organisational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about developing new products; and have strong written, oral and interpersonal skills. The candidate should be able to work independently and as a part of team.
Duties:
The successful candidate will be involved in: Scaffold fabrication and characterisation; Cell acquisition from animal tissues; In vitro biophysical, biomechanical, biochemical, biological characterisation of the produced cellular agriculture meat products; Conference and Meeting attendance and participation; Report and paper writing; Participation to training courses; Undergraduate teaching and/or laboratory demonstrations; Travel to project partners’ institutes; Other duties relevant to the post.
Start Date:
September 2022 or soon after that.
To Apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their suitability to the post, a detailed CV, transcripts and the contact details of three referees. The application pack should be emailed to Prof. Dimitrios Zeugolis (dimitrios.zevgolis@ucd.ie). Closing date for receipt of applications is 12:00 on Friday, 29th of July 2022.
Duration: 4 years
Research Project: NexSys Programme
Stipend: €18,500 per annum plus PhD registration fees and travel and computer budget
How to apply: Email a one page cover letter outlining your suitability for the post and a concise CV to paula.carroll@ucd by 30th June 2022.
Position Summary
The decarbonisation of the Energy System will play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and help mitigate the impacts of Climate Change. The technical and societal challenges inherent in decarbonisation are set to be enduring challenges of the mid-21st century and ones that will require a whole of society approach, encompassing academia, industry, government, and citizens.
NexSys is a newly established All Island of Ireland Science Foundation of Ireland Strategic Partnership Programme focussed upon the transition to a net zero carbon energy system. It is a unique partnership bringing together a multidisciplinary research team, industry, and policy makers to tackle fundamental research questions to be addressed as part of the transition to net Zero. Hosted by UCD Energy Institute, NexSys brings together academics from nine institutions across the Island of Ireland (UCD, TCD, DCU, ESRI, Maynooth University, UCC, NUI Galway, Ulster University and the Queen's University of Belfast) to work together to meet the unprecedented scale and complexity of the challenges associated with the energy transition.
Transport is a key challenge in the clean energy transition. There is a need to design business models and support systems for flexible, clean, secure transport and mobility services. Improved decision support and better design options for green transport and mobility will lead to reduced pollution and contribute to transport electrification targets. We aim to support a green fleet on the street through the optimisation, integration and deployment of low emissions transport and mobility solutions for local short trips and last mile logistics. We are recruiting two PhD students to address problems that arise in last mile logistics and local short trips.
PhD1 will be supervised by Assoc Prof Paula Carroll at the UCD School of Business and Dr Fabiano Pallonetto at the School of Business, Maynooth University. PhD1 will 1) define green transport and shared mobility business models, and 2) create appropriate optimisation algorithms and decision support solutions. This PhD project aims to demonstrate innovative optimisation algorithms and technologies to achieve net Zero in the transport sector through a green fleet with shared mobility options. The research will deliver and evaluate optimisation models using approaches such as Mixed Integer linear Programming, Metaheuristics and/or statistical or machine learning. The PhD will analysis the integration of electrified shared mobility and last mile operations as a transport system service. The PhD will produce a report assessing the energy requirements and environmental impact of the recommended solutions.
PhD2 will be supervised by Assoc Prof Paula Carroll at the UCD School of Business and Assoc Prof Damian Flynn. PhD2 will focus on Optimisation algorithms for last mile and shared mobility on the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network. PhD2 will consider a public charging network design, and explore what business models, algorithms and decision support systems are needed to optimise grid operations and last mile and shared mobility transport systems and services. The PhD will create EV last mile and shared mobility options using mixed integer linear programming and other algorithmic approaches.
Selection Criteria
Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.
Mandatory:
Desirable:
Deadline: Until the right candidate is found
Expected start-date: September 2022
PhD Title: Data-Driven models of Wind Farms
Overview
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) aspects of wind farms are becoming increasingly important. On the other hand there exists extensive data and algorithms to analyse them. The demand for good O&M, including digital twinning aspects can only be impactful when they are implemented in a robut manner and for realistic conditions.
Several algorithms and methods often do not work well in realistic conditions due to the complex processes and physics that govern the responses of these farms – and not all are measured, or equally available.
Under such circumstances, it is important to develop robust, physics-driven models of these farms considering varied levels of available data and existing understanding of how they operate.
This project looks precisely into this aspects by considering physics-driven models which link dynamic responses (mechanical responses and the variability of power over different timestamps) with appropriate models, considering varied data quality, stochasticity and other difficult challenges which current stops our models from achieving what they can. Another aspect is that of the clarity and robustness of these models. Often, the models are not robust, in the sense that their performance levels are not well calibrated or are achievable over only certain combinations of input, rendering their usability to be limited. It is important to develop methods that are more stable, reproducible and available for varied circumstances, even if this means that their accuracy is slightly worse than a method that is too specific.
This project will look into some of these aspects and create benchmark results, which can be used by others in future. We also expect this benchmark to be a go-to for many questions. We intend to engage with the activities of International Energy Agency Wind tasks in this project as well.
Scientifically, a lot of effort will go into understanding how we can move from Data to Dynamics.
The position
We are looking for one candidate with a passion for linking fundamental physics and computation. Understanding of good statistics, uncertainty and stochasticity is a big plus. Knowledge of machine learning is fine but we are focusing more on those with fundamental knowledge in computing and physics (including dynamics). A demonstrated work on simulation and modelling would be excellent for this project. Fluency in basic coding will be expected. Overall, the successful applicant should have a good grasp over dynamical systems and data, in that order.
The successful candidate is expected to have a first (or upper second) class degree in engineering, science, mathematics, applied mechanics, physics, statistics or a relevant field. The project is funded for 3 years. The base annual stipend is €18,500, with the option to earn a bit more per annum via teaching assistance and exam invigilation. PhD fees of the candidate will be paid for as well. The advertised PhD position will be based in the vibrant UCD Centre for Mechanics, in Dynamical Systems and Risk Laboratory and in collaboration with UCD Energy Institute and SFI MaREI centre. The successful candidate will be part of a larger and focused group which are investigating various aspects of Wind Energy. The project is named TwinFarm and is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
The location
Ireland’s largest university, University College Dublin (www.ucd.ie), is ranked within the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide. The university is located on a 330-acre parkland campus in the south Dublin suburbs (with three lakes!). Dublin itself is a lively European capital renowned for its nightlife and bustling technology industry.
How to apply
To apply, please complete the online form at this link.
Applications will be monitored daily and candidates will be notified via email if they have successfully obtained an interview (e.g. by video-call), or if they have not been deemed suitable for the position. The applicants can start in September 2022 and the project wil wait for particularly passionate well-suited candidates. Informal enquiries should be directed to vikram.pakrashi@ucd.ie. The PhD will be primarily supervised by Vikram Pakrashi (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tcHb7y8AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao). APPLICATIONS VIA EMAIL OR SOCIAL MEDIA WILL BE IGNORED.
Overview
The European Green Deal commits to increasing Europe's offshore wind generation capacity from the current 12 GW level to at least 60 GW by 2030 and 300 GW by 2050. Achieving this requires a greater understanding of the long-term structural behaviour of offshore wind turbines. This project will contribute unique insights into these systems by developing novel fluid-solid interaction simulation techniques for floating offshore wind turbines. The proposed developments aim to reduce the lifetime cost and risk of next-generation, floating, deepwater solutions wind technologies while developing new numerical tools for their design and operation.
The position
We are looking for one candidate with a passion for simulation, modelling and programming. The project will focus on developing fluid-solid interaction simulation techniques for offshore mooring and rope systems based on the finite volume and finite element numerical techniques. The successful candidate is expected to have a first (or upper second) class degree in engineering, science, mathematics or computer science. The project is funded for four years. The base annual stipend is €18,500, with the option of more per annum via teaching assistance and exam invigilation. PhD fees of the candidate will be paid for as well. The advertised PhD position will be based in the vibrant UCD Energy Institute (energyinstitute.ucd.ie) with over 100 PhDs and Postdocs working on ambitious renewable energy targets. The project will also work closely with the UCD Centre for Mechanics (www.ucd.ie/cmechanics), the Bekaert University Technology Centre at UCD (www.ucd.ie/bekaert), and the UCD Dynamical Systems and Risk Laboratory. The project will be supervised by Assoc. Profs Philip Cardiff and Vikram Pakrashi.
The location
Ireland’s largest university, University College Dublin (www.ucd.ie), is ranked within the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide. The university is located on a 330-acre parkland campus in the south Dublin suburbs (with three lakes!). Dublin is a lively European capital renowned for its nightlife and bustling technology industry.
Applications
To apply, please send the following to philip.cardiff@ucd.ie:
Applications will be monitored daily, and candidates will be notified via email if they have successfully obtained an interview (e.g. by video call) or have not been deemed suitable for the position. Ideally, the applicant can start in September 2022 or January 2023; however, the project can wait for particularly passionate well-suited candidates.
College / Management Unit: Engineering and Architecture
School / Unit / Institute: Energy Institute
Post Title: PhD
Post Duration: 4 years
Research Project: NexSys Programme
Reports to / Principal Investigator: Oliver Kinnane (Architecture) oliver.kinnane@ucd.ie and Donal Finn (Mechanical and Materials Engineering donal.finn@ucd.ie
Summary:
The decarbonisation of the Energy System will play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and help mitigate the impacts of Climate Change. The technical and societal challenges inherent in decarbonisation are set to be enduring challenges of the mid-21st century and ones that will require a whole of society approach, encompassing academia, industry, government, and citizens.
NexSys is a newly established All Island SFI Strategic Partnership Programme focussed upon the transition to a net zero carbon energy system. It is a unique partnership bringing together a multidisciplinary research team, industry, and policy makers to tackle fundamental research questions to be addressed as part of the transition to net Zero. Hosted by UCD Energy Institute, NexSys brings together academics from nine institutions across the Island of Ireland (UCD, TCD, DCU, ESRI, Maynooth University, UCC, NUI Galway, Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast) to work together to meet the unprecedented scale and complexity of the challenges associated with the energy transition.
A key challenge in the transition to decarbonisation is the electrification of home heating systems.
This PhD project will involve monitoring, modelling, and analysis of the in-use performance of a defined sample set of heat pumps (HP) in retrofitted buildings, while also investigating other impacting building parameters. Primarily the research will provide recommendations for heat pump optimisation sizing and control strategies and macro life cycle carbon and cost evaluations.
The PhD will uncover key operational lessons as Ireland and other countries embark on the unprecedented mass-market implementation of heat pumps in retrofitted buildings. It will achieve this by following a developed monitoring methodology in recruited buildings, mining the monitored data and furthering analysis using developed and validated heat pump and heat emitter models. The project will not just investigate heat pumps in isolation but will also associate heat pump performance with the building fabric and envelope, air tightness and importantly the occupants. It will look at the full life cycle of heat pumps, from carbon and costing perspectives.
Equality, Diversion and Inclusion
UCD is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and everybody is afforded equality of opportunity. To that end the university adheres to a range of equality, diversity and inclusion policies. We encourage applicants to consult those policies here https://www.ucd.ie/equality/ . We welcome applications from everyone, including those who identify with any of the protected characteristics that are set out in our Equality, Diversion and Inclusion policy.
Stipend: 18500 per annum plus PhD registration fees.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
The candidate will be required to travel to sites and undertake comprehensive monitoring of heat pumps in use, as well as subsequent processing of the data. The candidate will also undertake detailed modelling of heat pump systems and their emitters. The project will involve multiple distinct studies, for publication during the PhD project. The work will be guided and directed by the supervisors.
Selection Criteria
Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.
Mandatory:
● ME or BE (2.1 grade or higher) in Engineering (Mechanical, Energy, Electrical or similar), or MSc or BSc in Architecture (with evidence of focus on heating system integration),
● Understanding of heat transfer theory and thermodynamic processes,
● Understanding of data processing and mining methods,
● Experience and willingness to undertake on site energy monitoring, installation of sensors, data capture and processing,
● Willingness to travel to site,
● Good report writing experience,
● Excellent English communication skills,
● Excellent interpersonal skills,
● Willingness to work as part of a team of researchers at UCD and
● Willingness to work closely with a wider cohort of stakeholders and collaborators.
Desirable:
● Knowledge of data analysis software Excel, Matlab, R, Python, etc.
● Knowledge of finite element modelling (FEM) and/or computational fluid dynamics (CFD),
● Knowledge of TRNSYS, EnergyPlus or similar tools
● Well developed research skills, both qualitative and quantitative,
● Attention to detail and strong organisational skills,
● Awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion agenda, and,
● Ability to manage a complex workload and work to tight deadlines.
College / Management Unit: Engineering and Architecture
School / Unit / Institute: Energy Institute
Post Title: PhD
Post Duration: 4 years
Research Project: NexSys Programme
Reports to / Principal Investigator: Oliver Kinnane (Architecture) oliver.kinnane@ucd.ie and Paraic Carroll (Civil Engineering) paraic.carroll@ucd.ie
Summary:
The decarbonisation of the Energy System will play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and help mitigate the impacts of Climate Change. The technical and societal challenges inherent in decarbonisation are set to be enduring challenges of the mid-21st century and ones that will require a whole of society approach, encompassing academia, industry, government, and citizens.
NexSys is a newly established All Island SFI Strategic Partnership Programme focussed upon the transition to a net zero carbon energy system. It is a unique partnership bringing together a multidisciplinary research team, industry, and policy makers to tackle fundamental research questions to be addressed as part of the transition to net Zero. Hosted by UCD Energy Institute, NexSys brings together academics from nine institutions across the Island of Ireland (UCD, TCD, DCU, ESRI, Maynooth University, UCC, NUI Galway, Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast) to work together to meet the unprecedented scale and complexity of the challenges associated with the energy transition.
A key challenge in the transition to decarbonisation is the development of sustainable urban neighbourhoods. This presents the challenge of aggregation and validation of energy profiles of individual buildings into a single community model while maintaining the essential granularity at an individual building level. From the social perspective, it is essential to analyse how such models can capture prosumer behaviour and needs and how policy can support such an important transition.
This PhD brings together a number of these key topics in the design implementation and analysis of strategies for sustainable neighbourhoods. The PhD will investigate and implement innovative solutions across different scales of the urban energy landscape including: i) at the neighbourhood scale; ii) in large municipal buildings; iii) in residential building stock. The PhD will integrate onsite, local and grid available renewable energy, with energy positive and net zero energy buildings, and with sustainable, electricity based decarbonised transport systems.
The candidate should be willing to work across all these scales of the built environment. Undertaking necessary analysis of each component as directed by the supervisors and modelling the integrative system at large.
Salary: €18,500 per annum stipend
Benefits
Travel budget
Budget for PC/laptop
Materials budget (books, computer consumables and general disposables)
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
This is a research focused role, where you will conduct a specified programme of research supported by research training and development under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator/ Supervisor, and where the student will:
As part of a structured PhD in UCD the student will complete modules in relevant topics (TBA) to a total of 30 credits as required, and will engage with and contribute to the Energy Institute and UCD Building in a Climate Emergency Research Lab.
The student will ensure that all research is carried out in line with UCD requirements for ethical research and data management, and that the PhD is completed within the allocated period.
Selection Criteria
Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.
Mandatory:
MSc or BSc (2.1 grade or higher) in Architecture, Urban Planning, Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Energy, Electrical or similar),
● Understanding of energy systems and grids as well as integration of local sources and sinks,
● Experience, knowledge or willingness to learn urban modelling tools,
● Experience, knowledge or willingness to undertake on site energy monitoring; installation of sensors, data capture and processing,
● Experience, knowledge or willingness to learn data analysis tools,
● Willingness to travel to site,
● Good report writing experience,
● Excellent English communication skills,
● Excellent interpersonal skills,
● Willingness to work as part of a team of researchers and
● Willingness to work closely with a wider cohort of stakeholders.
Desirable:
● Knowledge of Excel, Matlab, R etc.
● Well-developed research skills, both qualitative and quantitative,
● Attention to detail and strong organisational skills,
● Experience in stakeholder engagement (e.g. County Councils and other project partners)
● Awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion agenda, and,
● Ability to manage a complex workload and work to tight deadlines.
View the full PhD lifecycle at UCD, from application to conferring
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