Position Overview

The School of Natural Sciences at the University of Galway, in partnership with the Irish Marine Institute, invites applications for a fully funded PhD position to explore marine benthic heatwaves using Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs). This interdisciplinary project integrates marine science, climate studies, and advanced measurement technology, offering an exceptional opportunity for a motivated researcher to contribute to critical environmental monitoring and policy development in Irish waters.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant research community in Galway, with opportunities to collaborate internationally and work with advanced seabed monitoring systems.

Eligibility Requirements

We are hiring candidates with the following qualifications:

• Academic Qualifications:
  • A Master’s degree or a First-Class Honours B.Sc. in disciplines such as Oceanographic Science, Marine Science, or Applied Computational Science.
  • Strong foundation in marine hydrodynamics and an interest in marine technology.
• Skills and Experience:
  • Demonstrable expertise in field monitoring and data collection.
  • Proficiency in statistical analysis and handling large datasets (e.g., R, Matlab).
  • A keen interest in environmental and climate issues in the marine context.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design and Development:
   • Assess and design seabed landers for multi-purpose environmental measurements.
   • Conduct an extended research visit to the LanderPick group at IEO-Spain to acquire operational skills.
2. Fieldwork and Data Analysis:
   • Deploy and analyze an Irish Seabed Lander Array (ISLA) to monitor benthic conditions and continental margin currents.
   • Investigate marine heatwaves in Irish waters, integrating field data and re-analysis datasets.
3. Collaboration and Impact:
   • Work closely with research groups at Maynooth University and IEO-Spain.
   • Produce outputs to support government marine spatial planning and environmental policies.

What We Offer

• Financial Support:
  • Annual stipend of €25,000 (tax-exempt).
  • Coverage of university fees up to €6,000 per annum.
• Research Environment:
  • Access to state-of-the-art seabed platforms and monitoring technologies.
  • Opportunities to work with international collaborators and spend time in Spain and Maynooth University.
• Professional Development:
  • Training in advanced marine technologies, numerical analysis, and scientific communication.
  • Participation in impactful research contributing to climate and marine sustainability goals.

Application Process

• Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 03 January 2025, 16:00 Irish Time.
• How to Apply:
  • Email the following documents to Dr. Martin White with the subject line: ‘Cullen Ph.D. Application’:
    1. Introduction letter, outlining research experience and interests.
    2. Current CV.
    3. Names and contact details of two academic referees.