In addition to individual scholarship opportunities such as the John and Pat Hume Doctoral Awards, PhD Teaching Studentships and Irish Research Council awards, scholarship opportunities can be offered from time to time in a particular discipline.
From time to time research scholarship funding will be offered within a particular discipline or in line with a major research theme. Please review the opportunities below:
The Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research draws on the unique expertise across a wide range of disciplines and over 40 research groups in Maynooth University to address health-related research challenges. The disciplines span from Biology to Psychology, Chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering. The training of PhD graduates is one of the key objectives of the Institute.
Applications are now invited for the 2023 intake of PhD Scholars into the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research in September 2023
Applications will be considered for the following research projects:
Project title: Non-invasive electrochemical sensing of glucose and ketone bodies for diabetic health monitoringSupervisor: Dr Eithne Dempsey
Email: eithne.dempsey@mu.ie
Project title: Towards Tumour Theranostics: Hypoxia Activation as a tool for therapy and diagnosticsSupervisor: Dr Robert Elmes
Email: robert.elmes@mu.ie
Project title: Investigating the role of MIF in trained immunity induced by the asthma allergen house dust miteSupervisor: Prof Karen English
Email: karen.english@mu.ie
Project title: Explaining the genetic link between sleep and neurodevelopmental conditions: genome-wide analysis of rare tandem repeat expansionsSupervisor: Dr Lorna Lopez
Email: lorna.lopez@mu.ie
Project title: Development, validation and application of a biosensor for real-time monitoring of GABA in the mammalian brainSupervisor: Prof John Lowry
Email: john.lowry@mu.ie
Project title: Uterine tissue glycosylation in conceptionSupervisor: Dr Roisin O’Flaherty
Email: roisin.oflaherty@mu.ie
Project title: Improving nutritional value of rapeseed products for human consumptionSupervisor: Dr Diarmuid O'Maoileidigh
Email: diarmuid.s.omaoileidigh@mu.ie
Project title: Editing the glycome of innate lymphocytes to optimise anti-cancer cytotoxicity (GlycOpt)Supervisor: Dr Mark Robinson
Email: mark.robinson@mu.ie
Whilst a key aspiration of the 4 year PhD programme is advancement of knowledge through research, it is also underpinned by structured training in generic and transferable skills.
Eligibility: Graduates in the Life Sciences or related areas (1st or upper 2nd class honours degree).
Stipend: € 18,500 per year plus fees.
Application Procedure: e-mail CV and contact details for 2 referees to the contact Supervisor indicated for the relevant research project.
Deadline: Midnight Monday 29th May 2023
Further details: Contact Dr Nezira Delagic (nezira.delagic@mu.ie)
Department of Electronic Engineering - Centre for Ocean Energy Research
1 x funded 4-year PhD studentships - €18,500 stipend p.a. (tax free) + fees + research expenses
The Centre for Ocean Energy Research (COER) at Maynooth University, Ireland has further opportunities for a well-qualified applicant interested in PhD level research on a prestigious, new Science Foundation Ireland, National Science Foundation (US) and Northern Ireland’s DfE (Department of the Economy) ocean energy project:
LEAP-HI – Control co-design for ocean wave energy conversion
A tax-free stipend of €18,500 per year is available, and PhD fees are also covered. The project also provides adequate funding for equipment, materials and travel (conferences, courses, etc), as well as secondment to project partners. The position is tenable for a 4-year structured PhD.
Applicants should be well qualified to bachelors or master’s degree level in one of the following areas: mechanical, electrical/electronic/control engineering, naval architecture, or hydrodynamics, physics, mathematics, mathematical modelling or computer programming (more details below). The project will be supervised by Prof. John Ringwood.
The project is described in more detail below:
This collaborative research project aims to establish methodologies for an integrated design paradigm for wave energy devices, by testing and validating a radically new control co-design approach to create a mutually-efficient power take off and wave capture structure, with active mechanical motion rectification, co-optimization, and advanced control, to significantly improve the efficiency, increase the power output, and decrease the peak-to-average power ratio. The project team is composed of experts in three countries on wave capture structure, power take-off, and control systems design who work closely together throughout the co-design process from early state of concept design, and component modelling, to system integration. The project partners include Queens University Belfast and Virginia Tech. The Maynooth University team will focus on control strategy.
This project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland, the National Science Foundation (US) and Northern Ireland’s DfE (Department of the Economy) and the successful candidate will join a dynamic group of around 20 postdoctoral, PhD and other researchers in COER, who work on the development of wave energy technology, with projects funded from various national and international sources. COER has a wide range of eminent industrial and academic collaborators.
Requirements:
PhD candidates should be well-qualified academically to bachelors (preferably H1) or master’s level. The project will require a mix of skills, detailed below. Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills and programming ability.
The PhD candidate will ideally be a graduate in mechanical/electrical/electronic/control engineering, naval architecture, or hydrodynamics. Ideally, he/she will possess a master’s degree, ideally with some specialisation in wave/renewable energy. Strong mathematical and programming skills will be needed, as well as an ability to co-supervise intern students.
The PhD student’s work will focus mainly on control-orientated mathematical model development. The PhD student will be employed on a 4-year structured PhD programme, with secondment to a project collaborator included as part of their structured training.
For further information contact Carrie Anne; CarrieAnne.Barry@mu.ie
For more information about COER, see our website and this video.
Successful candidates will be expected to start in March 2023 or as soon as possible.
The Department of Theoretical Physics at Maynooth University invites applications for a PhD in Theoretical Astrophysics starting in September 2023. The successful applicant will work in the group led by Dr. John Regan.
Project Outline and Context
The successful candidate will work on a project examining the formation processes of massive black holes in the early Universe. Massive black holes populate the centres of all massive galaxies and are now also observed in both the centres and in off-centre locations in less massive dwarf galaxies.
However, the origin and evolution of massive black holes remains elusive. In this project the successful candidate will work on a project combining the state-of-the-art EnzoE code with advanced machine learning techniques to track the evolution of massive black holes in the first billion years of the Universe. The goal will be to understand both the population demographics and observational signatures of massive black holes in the early Universe.
Application Procedure
All applications should be sent to john.regan@mu.ie. The application should consist of a CV (max 2 pages), personal statement (max 2 pages), 2 letters of reference and exam transcripts. Applicants must have achieved at least 2.1 honours degree in Physics, Mathematics or a related discipline. The application deadline is January 31st at 18.00. Following the deadline a short list of applicants will be created and shortlisted applicants invited for interview in early - mid February. The outcode of the recruitment process is expected to be completed by late February.
Fees & Stipends
All fees for up to four years are covered by the PhD scholarship. In addition to this a PhD stipend of €18,500 per year (for a maximum of four years) is offered as well as research expenses of €2000 per year. It should also be noted that PhD stipends are currently being reviewed by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with the results of that review out in Q1 2023. Any increase recommended by that review process will be enacted for this scholarship.
For further information on the project please contact john.regan@mu.ie with any questions or clarifications required
PhD Studentship in Implicit bias in Language Models
Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Ireland
We are advertising a fully-funded PhD scholarship (including stipend and covering university fees) to work with us on a project funded by Science Foundation Ireland to investigate the role of language in the development of people’s attitudes and implicit biases.
The project involves interdisciplinary research in experimental psychology, psycholinguistics, and cognitive modelling, in order to examine what the role of language is in shaping our attitudes and biases. The successful candidate will be required to design and conduct online empirical studies, carry out data analysis, collaborate with other members of the research team, and contribute to conference dissemination and writing papers for publication.
Applicants should have a background in Psychology, Cognitive Science, or a related discipline. In addition, we require good experimental skills, with research experience in experimental design and/or psycholinguistic research methods and statistical analysis (such as linear mixed models and hierarchical regression). Ideal candidates will have strong academic writing skills, and the ability to work both independently and within a team. Some knowledge of linguistic distributional statistics/models or research experience of data collection via online experiment platforms, would be an advantage. The successful candidate will receive a tax-free stipend of €18,500 and their university fees (€5,500) will also be covered. There will also be funding provided for conference travel and opportunities for placements with our industry partners. We expect the PhD candidate to start in September/October 2023.
Maynooth University is a very distinctive university, a collegial institution focused on science and engineering, humanities, and social sciences, and equally committed to research, teaching and community engagement. Located in Ireland’s only university town, its distinctive features and character owe much to its unique history and heritage. It provides a high-quality educational experience to over 13,500 students on a campus with 18th century roots and 21st century dynamism.
Closing Date: March 15th, 2023
A full description of requirements and instructions for applications can be found on here
Queries about the role can be directed to the principal investigators Dr. Dermot Lynott (dermot.lynott@mu.ie) or Dr. Diarmuid O'Donoghue (Diarmuid.ODonoghue@mu.ie).
PhD Scholarship Fees Plus €18,500 stipend.
Topic: Developing Impactful Early Career Researchers
Maynooth University School of Business
Project Focus
The focus of this research project will be on the broad theme of Developing Impactful Early Career Researchers. Exploration of this theme might include, for example, focus on:
The impact that research produced in academic organisations has on science and society has been hotly debated in recent decades. Despite divergent opinions on many aspects of this topic, scholars mostly agree that impact is a multi-dimensional and hard-to-measure phenomenon, and that, in particular, impact creation for society (societal impact of research) is not adequately rewarded in academia. Consequently, literature shows that academics who are considered impactful (both in academic and societal terms) are mostly in mid- to late-stages of their careers. There is not, however, reliable evidence to support the assumption that most early career researchers (ECRs) will naturally become impactful by later stages of their careers. If any, there is evidence to the opposite, with published research being increasingly specialised, and the extent of research originality decreasing.
With academic institutions seeking to increase the impact of research that they fund (through salaries or targeted grants), reliance on a relatively smaller cohort of mid- to late-career researchers can become problematic. This project will explore the ways in which academic and societal impact can be nurtured in doctoral programmes to become a normal part of ECRs’ careers.
Applicants will be expected to submit a proposal that is rooted in the theme outlined above.
Research Team
The successful candidate will be enrolled on the PhD programme of the School of Business at Maynooth University under the supervision of Professor Peter Mc Namara and co-supervison of Dr Olga Ryazanova.
Faculty at the School of Business have a successful stream of research in the broad domain of the management of Business Schools, including career management, teaching and learning, and the strategic management of the business school industry. Our team has strong expertise in the area of academic careers and strategic management of higher education institutions. We have published in the top journals in the field, including the Academy of Management Education and Learning, Research Policy, Journal of World Business, Journal of Management, Journal of Innovation and Product Management, amongst many others. We are members of editorial boards of some of the leading journals in our field. We have active research projects involving teams of faculty and PhD students. We are looking for a new PhD student to join this group.
Value of the Scholarship
We are seeking to add to this team with a funded PhD studentship. The scholarship will entail a fixed maintenance award of €18,500 per annum and full annual tuition fees support for four years of study (at EU fees level). The expectation is that the majority of PhD project work will be completed in three years, with the fourth year dedicated to write-up of the thesis and socialisation of research.
Closing Date: 1 September 2023 (early applications are strongly encouraged). Commencement Date: Students are expected to commence their PhD studies in October 2023. Commencing date of January 2024 can be discussed with supervisors.
For more information please see Developing Impactful Early Career Researchers June23
PhD Scholarship Fees Plus €18,500 stipend
Topic: Repurposing as innovation strategy in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries
Maynooth University School of Business
Research Project Focus
This research project will study repurposing as an innovation strategy within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Repurposing is commonly understood as the application of a known solution to a different context. Within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries repurposing often means that an existing medication is used to treat a disease that is different than the one the medication was originally approved for. Many commercially successful drugs have been repurposed
from products that were originally developed for other purposes. The development of Sildenafil, better known as Viagra, is a prime example as the drug was initially developed to treat angina pectoris (chest pain) and was repurposed due to its unexpected side effects.
While there are examples like this, there are still open questions regarding whether and when repurposing is a successful innovation strategy and what the performance implications of repurposing may be. At the same time, collaborative research as well as advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies may provide new opportunities for repurposing through facilitating the identification of promising repurposing candidates. These advances may influence the viability of repurposing as an innovation strategy and may influence the performance of repurposed medications.
Against this background, the successful applicant will conduct research within the following broad research theme:
Repurposing as innovation strategy the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
Specific research questions may include, but are not limited to:
• Which companies are using repurposing as an innovation strategy?
• What are the performance implications of repurposing?
• How do digital technologies influence the R&D process and opportunities to repurpose existing medications?
• Do collaborations between firms as well as between firms and academia play a role for successful repursuing?
The project seeks to provide data-driven insights obtained through quantitative empirical analyses to develop implications for the management of innovation and repurposing within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. These data-driven insights can make an important contribution for academics and practitioners as reliable evidence on repurposing and its performance implications is often missing.
Applicants are expected to submit a proposal that is rooted in the theme outlined above
Research Team and Supervision
The successful candidate will be enrolled on the PhD programme of the School of Business at Maynooth University under the supervision of Professor Peter McNamara and co-supervision of Dr Bastian Rake. It is expected that the successful candidate – together with her or his supervisory team - engages in and contributes to collaborations with researchers from other institutions.
The supervisory team has strong expertise in the broad domain of innovation in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. We have published research within this broad domain in leading academic journals such as Journal of Product Innovation Management, Research Policy, R&D Management, Industry and Innovation, Technovation, and Drug Discovery Today. We are part of an international network of scholars who study innovation and the organisation of research and development in the context of biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms as well as in other healthcare settings. We have active research projects involving teams of faculty and PhD students. We are looking for a new PhD student to join this group.
The successful candidate will be part of the PhD student community of the School of Business which currently consists of more than thirty PhD students. The successful candidate will be part of the structured PhD Programme of the School of Business that offers training in a variety of PhD modules, knowledge exchange forums and development opportunities.
Value of the Scholarship
We are seeking to add to this team with a funded PhD studentship. The scholarship will entail a fixed maintenance award of €18,500 per annum and full annual tuition fees support for four years of study (at EU fees level). The expectation is that the majority of PhD project work will be completed in three years, with the fourth year dedicated to write-up of the thesis and socialisation of research.
Application Process / Additional Information
Applications should be via the School of Business application process, details of which can be found below:
PhD BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT | Maynooth University
Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Informal enquiries concerning the advertised PhD scholarship position, accompanied with the CV, can be made to Professor Peter McNamara (peter.mcnamara@mu.ie) and Dr Bastian Rake (bastian.rake@mu.ie).
Closing Date
The closing date is 1st of September 2023.
Commencement Date
Students are expected to commence their PhD studies in October 2023. Commencing date of January 2024 can be discussed with supervisors.
For more information please see:
PhD Document - School of Business