Folúntais

No. Positions Available: 3 positions  Job Title: Doctoral Candidate (First Stage Researcher, R1)  Application Deadline: 30 March 2026 (23:59 GMT)

Duration: 36 months (full-time)  Start Date: September 2026

EDICT (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials) is a Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN). The network brings together leading academic institutions, industry partners, and clinical trial networks across Europe to train the next generation of researchers who will transform how clinical trials are designed, conducted, and reported. 

EDICT is recruiting 16 Doctoral Candidates across seven European institutions, with research organised around four interconnected work packages: 

• Measurement: Developing and validating standardised EDI metrics and assessment tools 

• Methodologies: Creating innovative, patient-centric, and culturally competent methodologies for clinical trials 

• Implementation: Translating EDI principles into practical tools, frameworks, and guidelines 

• Systemic Change: Developing evidence-based policies and fostering cross-sector collaboration 

*Please review full job description for further details and essential requirement  

 

 

 

ROSETTA - Marie Skłodowksa-Curie Fellowship Programme 2024 

J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, University of Galway 

Ref. No. University of Galway 002-25 

 

2nd Call – ROSETTA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoc Fellowships 

 

ROSETTA is an innovative fellowship programme co-ordinated by the University of Galway and will involve four other universities (Implementing Partners): University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin. The programme is co-funded by LERO, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, the Horizon Europe Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions programme and the University of Galway. ROSETTA fellows will be provided with the highest quality research environment and a training programme where they will critically examine the development, use and regulation of technology from a time perspective across all aspects of life from children, people with disabilities, people in the workplace, to healthcare and social inclusion for older people. 

 

ROSETTA will be recruiting 19 fellowships, each with a duration of 2 years, providing an unparalleled opportunity for Postdoctoral Researchers to delve into the critical intersection of time and technology in our rapidly evolving digital landscape.   
 
We are seeking fellows with an interest in the broad research area of ‘the true impact of technology on our time’ to bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to this research. Whether you're passionate about information systems, business, law, computer science, medicine, sociology, biomedical engineering, psychology, or any other related discipline, we want to hear from you! 

 

Applications are invited from suitable candidates for 19 full-time fixed term Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral Fellows (PFs) at University of Galway. Up to 9 fellowships may be awarded on the 2nd Call. 

 

ROSETTA Fellowships are open to applicants who have a PhD degree and comply with the programme’s eligibility criteria and mobility rule. Researchers at Risk are encouraged to apply. All candidates must discuss their research idea and proposal and seek the support of an eligible ROSETTA supervisor for their application. 

 

All fellowships will be based in Ireland where fellows will be hosted by their ROSETTA supervisor’s host institution. 

 

The programme aims to provide exceptional training and career development opportunities to postdoctoral researchers, fostering international mobility, intersectoral collaboration, and interdisciplinary exposure.  

 

Further information can be found in the Guide for Applicants to ROSETTA at https://rosetta.lero.ie/call-for-proposals/  

This project has received co-funding from Horizon Europe’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Grant Agreement No:101126578. 

 

 

Essential Criteria: 

As per the MSCA definition: 

• ROSETTA is open to applicants who have a PhD degree at the call deadline. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered eligible to apply. The successful defence must take place before the call deadline. 

• Applicants must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: have not resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Ireland for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the call deadline. Compulsory national service and short stays such as holidays are not considered. 

• Applicants must have working proficiency in English or be fluent in English. Applicants whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of their English proficiency. 

 

Please note: 

• ROSETTA Fellowships are open to candidates who meet the required criteria.  Please see Employment Permits - University of Galway for further information.  

• ROSETTA will support applications from those displaced by conflict or whose situation makes it difficult to pursue research careers. Researchers at Risk are encouraged to apply. Please see: Guidelines for Inclusion of Researchers at Risk | Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (europa.eu) for further information.  

 

Gross Salary: 

Remuneration is in line with EC rules for Marie Sklodowska-Curie COFUND grants. 

 

Level 1: €50,124 gross salary* per annum (excluding family allowance) or €57,252 gross salary* per annum (if conditions for family allowance are met). 

 

*Gross salary is inclusive of a mobility allowance of €6,480 annually payable as part of their gross salary which shall be fixed for 24 months during the fellowship period. 

 

Salaries are subject to taxes and deductions, e.g., deduction of PRSI (employee social security), and income taxes. For more information about tax entitlements, please go to https://www.revenue.ie/ 

 

The Fellowship includes an additional budget allocation for research and travel costs. 

 

Training and Career Development 

Fellows are encouraged to avail of training and development opportunities to support their career development plans. All fellowships will include a secondment period. Fellows will have the flexibility to select a secondment with the non-academic or academic sector to suit their research and career development. Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon employment. The RDC is an initiative of the offices of the VPR and Graduate Studies to support the continuing professional development of all our researchers at University of Galway. 

 

 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 

The University of Galway is committed to principles of equality and encouraging diversity and inclusion. Several of the participating academic Institutions and Schools are holders of Athena SWAN awards. We celebrate the diversity of our staff and students and work to support an inclusive environment free from discrimination and harassment.  

 

 

To Apply: The application process should include an Online application + Administrative Proposal as follows:  

 

• Part A: Administrative Proposal: Max 2000 characters 

• Part B: Research Proposal (max. 10 pages)  

• Part C: Academic CV: Max 5 pages (With three references) 

• Part D: Ethics Issues Table and Self-Assessment Form 

 

Candidates must develop a project proposal in line with ROSETTA Research Themes and submit their complete application via the online application system. The system will remain open for applications until 23.59 (UTC) on the call deadline of 25th July 2025. 

 

See Guidance Documents, Terms & Conditions and https://rosetta.lero.ie/ for more information. 

 

For informal enquiries, contact the University of Galway programme manager at rosetta@lero.ie.  Please put reference number University of Galway 002-25 in subject line of all queries related to this post. 

 

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 25th July 2025 at 23.59 UTC. 

 

University’s Strategic Plan 

 

Working in Research at University of Galway 

 

Moving to Ireland (Euraxess) 

 

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.  

 

The University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.  

 

All positions are recruited via an internationally advertised open call for proposals. The evaluation and selection process will follow an Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency-based Recruitment process and will include an international peer review followed by an interview stage. 

Application(s) are invited from suitably qualified candidates for full-time funded PhD scholarship(s) starting in September 2026 affiliated to the School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering at the University of Galway. 

University of Galway

Located in the vibrant cultural city of Galway in the west of Ireland, the University of Galway has a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence. 

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie 

Detailed Project Description

The University of Galway invites applications for a full-time, fully-funded PhD student focused on control, optimization, game theory, and embodied intelligence in robotics and autonomous systems. This is a unique opportunity to work on a project combining cutting-edge academic insight with real-world robotics applications. The PhD project will focus on the design of advanced control and decision-making algorithms to enhance the intelligence, autonomy, and adaptability of robotic systems. In particular, the research will investigate distributed and/or game-theoretic control frameworks for multi-robot systems, integrating optimization-based planning with learning-enabled adaptation. The aim is to develop theoretically grounded yet practically deployable algorithms that allow multi-agent robotics to operate robustly in dynamic, uncertain, and interactive environments.

Key research directions may include:

• Nonlinear control for complex robotic systems
• Distributed optimization and coordination in multi-agent systems
• Game-theoretic modelling of cooperative and competitive robotic behaviours
• Data-driven and learning-based control methods
• Embodied intelligence, where perception, control, and physical interaction are tightly coupled

The successful candidate will work at the intersection of theory and implementation, developing rigorous mathematical foundations while validating the proposed methods on robotic platforms such as aerial or ground autonomous systems. The project aims to contribute both high-impact theoretical results and experimentally validated intelligent robotic behaviours.

What we offer

• A dynamic and applied research environment at the intersection of academia and industry
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratories, equipment and test facilities (UAVs, ground vehicles, and robot manipulator)
• Mentorship and collaboration with leading control and robotics experts from Ireland and other countries
• Opportunities for international research exchanges at leading institutions in Europe, North America, and top universities in China, including KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), the University of Waterloo (Canada), and Peking University (China).

Living allowance (Stipend): €25,000 per annum, [tax-exempt scholarship award] 

University fees: [€5,890 EU rate including levy] are covered by the scholarship.

Start date: 1st September 2026

Academic Entry Requirements: 

• 1st class or 2.1 honours Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in control, or mathematics, or mechanical engineering or closed related discipline (e.g. Automation or Computer Science)
• A background in control theory, robotics/artificial intelligence, or related fields is required. Applicants with a strong mathematical foundation and/or hands-on robotics experience, and familiarity with the Robot Operating System (ROS), will be given preference
• Candidates must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and a strong passion and motivation for excellence in engineering research, with a view to publication, international conference presentations and collaborations
• Strong self-motivation and self-learning abilities, and a high sense of responsibility and teamwork spirit
• Problem-solving, critical thinking and troubleshooting skills

To Apply for the Scholarship: Expressions of interest comprising submission of a covering letter, CV, transcript, statement of personal research interests, and the contact details of two referees, to be submitted via e-mail to panpan.zhou@universityofgalway.ie with the subject title “PhD application 2026 - your name”. 

Contact Name: Panpan Zhou

Contact Email: panpan.zhou@universityofgalway.ie

Application Deadline: 15/June /2026 and time 17:00 (Irish time 24hr format). The position will remain open until filled, and we reserve the right to close the call at any time.

Primary Supervisor name: Dr. Panpan Zhou

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time funded PhD scholarship affiliated to the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies at the University of Galway. This position is available from September 1, 2026 to December 14, 2027, subject to satisfactory progress. Candidate will work closely with supervisor (Dr Cassie Smith-Christmas) in applying forexternal funding for years three and four of PhD funding.

University of Galway

Located in the vibrant cultural city of Galway in the west of Ireland, the University of Galway has a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence. For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

Detailed Project Description:

Gaeltacht Families and Multilingualism (‘GAELFAM’) investigates the everyday linguistic experiences of families who reside in the Irish Gaeltacht and who use a language other than/in addition to Irish or English in the home. The PhD researcher will focus on adolescents who fit this profile and will carry out a number of tasks to enable the successful competition of their PhD thesis and viva voce examination. The PhD researcher will gain valuable skills in conducting ethnographic research in school settings, and will also present their research findings at a number of national and international conferences, as well as contribute to organising a conference at the University of Galway and a youth-led event, also to be held at the University of Galway. They will also contribute to scholarly publications and publications for a wider audience (e.g. blog posts). Garda-vetting will apply. 

Main duties:

• Conducting semi-structured interviews with 5-10 families who fit the following profile: families who reside in the Irish Gaeltacht (any Gaeltacht area and/or multiple Gaeltacht areas); who use a language other than/in addition to Irish or English in the home; and who have at least one adolescent child 
• Conducting case studies with four focal adolescents who fit the project profile 
• Ethnographic fieldwork in the communities in which the case study families live 
• Ethnographic research, including peer-led interviews, in a school which at least one of the case study adolescents attends 
• Analysis of project data
• PhD thesis
• Presentations at national and international conference
• Contributions to articles arising from project (as second or third author)
• Contributions to conference organisation and organisation of youth-led event

The funding allows for a living allowance (tax-free scholarship award) €25,000 per annum, and will cover fees at the EU rate of €5,750 per annum. 

Start date: September 1, 2026

Academic Entry Requirements:

Required

• An honours BA with a minimum degree result of a high 2.1 or international equivalent in applied linguistics, relevant language, or other social science field
• Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent (only applicable for students who have not earned a previous degree in an English-speaking context)

Desirable

• Fluency (C 1 or C2) in Irish
• Excellent written communication skills in both Irish and English
• A Master’s-level qualification
• Experience working with adolescents
• Fluency (C1 or C2) in one or more languages in addition to Irish or English 
• Experience conducting ethnographic research

To Apply for the Scholarship: Please send the following as an email attachment:

• An academic CV, including contact details for three referees
• Either a cover letter or a personal statement (maximum 700 words) outlining your background, interests, and aptitude for doctoral-level research
• A scanned/electronic copy of your academic transcripts listing coursework and grades for each degree obtained or in progress (hard copies may be required at a later date)
• An academic writing sample (minimum 3,000 and maximum 15,000 words)

Your supporting documentation should be combined into a single PDF document. Please use your surname for the file name. Send this PDF using the subject line ‘GAELFAM PhD scholarship’ to Cassandra.Smith-Christmas@universityofgalway.ie 

Online application forms and all supporting documents must be received by the stated deadline in order to receive full consideration. Informal enquiries may be sent to Dr. Cassie Smith-Christmas, who will be happy to discuss the particulars of this post. 

Contact Name: Dr. Cassie Smith-Christmas

Contact Email: cassandra.smith-christmas@universityofgalway.ie 

Application Deadline: April 30th 2026 at 17:00 (Irish time 24hr format)

Primary Supervisor name: Dr. Cassie Smith-Christmas

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time funded PhD scholarship starting in June 2026, affiliated with the College of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute at the University of Galway.  

University of Galway: 

Located in the vibrant cultural city of Galway in the west of Ireland, the University of Galway has a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence  

For information on moving to Ireland, please see www.euraxess.ie  

Detailed Project Description: 

This PhD is part of TRACE (Transforming Agri‑Food and Seafood Supply Chains) and is funded through the PEACEPLUS Programme, which supports research aimed at improving the sustainability and resilience of high‑value live seafood export. 

The project will investigate the molecular, physiological, and environmental drivers of transport‑induced stress in the European spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas), a species of high commercial value but limited biological understanding. Long‑distance transport is essential for supplying European and international markets, yet it induces significant stress, reduces survival, and affects welfare and product quality. Despite its economic importance, there is currently no high‑quality genomic resource and very limited mechanistic data for this species. 

The PhD will generate the first chromosome‑level, functionally annotated reference genome for P. elephas, enabling the identification of key stress‑responsive genes and molecular pathways. Controlled transport simulations will investigate how factors such as temperature, humidity, dissolved oxygen, noise, and moisture‑retention materials disrupt cellular homeostasis, metabolic regulation, and immune function. Building on this mechanistic insight, the research will evaluate whether functional dietary additives can enhance resilience and improve survival during long‑distance transport. 

Integrating genomics, physiology, nutrition, and applied aquaculture science, this PhD will deliver a mechanistic basis for improving welfare, reducing mortality, and strengthening the reliability of live‑lobster supply chains. The project is suited to candidates interested in marine biology, crustacean physiology, aquaculture, stress biology, or molecular ecology, and provides advanced training in genomics, molecular biology, experimental physiology, and international research collaboration under the TRACE project. 

Living allowance (Stipend): €31,000 per annum, [tax-exempt scholarship award] for three years (ends: 30/6/29) 

University fees: ​€5,890​ 

Start date: 01/06/26 

Academic Entry Requirements: Must hold an upper second class or above (2.1 or 1st) BSc in Marine Biology or equivalent, or MSc in related subject.  

To Apply for the Scholarship: PhD applications should include a 1‑page cover letter and a CV and send it to Dr Alex Wan, with email header ‘PhD application 2026’ 

Contact Name: Dr Alex Wan 

Contact Email: Alex.wan@universityofgalway.ie 

Application Deadline: Friday 24th April 2026 at 17:00 (GMT +1) 

Primary Supervisor name: Dr Alex Wan 

The University of Galway offers a PhD position in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission. The PhD student will spend 2 years at JRC, located in Ispra (Italy), and 2 years at the University of Galway. 

JRC is part of the European Commission and is considered one of Europe's leading research campuses with many laboratories and unique research infrastructures. JRC supports EU policies with independent scientific evidence throughout the whole policy cycle, and its aim is to develop innovative tools that are useful to policymakers. This PhD project is a part of the Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships programme (CDP), an initiative by the Joint Research Centre to train a new generation of doctoral graduates on the science-policy interface. 

The Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics and the Data Science Institute at the University of Galway offer a stimulating, dynamic and multicultural research team with members from all over the world, excellent ties to research groups worldwide and close collaboration with industrial partners. The Data Spaces group research techniques for intelligent information systems, including large-scale decentralised architectures, open data infrastructure, data semantics (representation, storage, and interoperability), and dynamic data (events and streams).  

Project 

European public authorities and research organisations have championed open data developments. As a consequence, Europe has gradually become a continent with one of the most advanced, if not the most advanced, open data infrastructures in the world. Considering the new geopolitical realities and a rapidly observed paradigm shift from an open to a shared data regime, the digital sovereignty implications for open data practices are understudied and not well understood.  

The proposed PhD Project is situated at the intersection of policy, technology, and society. The PhD candidate will investigate the sovereignty implications of European open data including the trade-offs and frictions between sovereignty and openness, as well as possible pathways towards ensuring a balance between (i) retaining open data as an enabler of digital transformation, and (ii) strategic autonomy. The PhD candidate will apply a mixed-methods approach, drawing inspiration and methodological approaches from political science, sociology, science and technology studies (STS), and public governance research. 

The PhD student will conduct fundamental research to investigate the "what", the "how", and the "what next" for Open Data in Europe using impact assessments and toolkits, taxonomies, decision matrixes, and roadmaps. You will have the opportunity to work with renowned experts in the field of data-driven innovation and digital sovereignty, both from academia and policymakers.  Thanks to the collaboration with JRC, you are guaranteed to work on real-life problems with a clear link to European Union policymaking, especially in the context of the European Competitiveness and the European Data Union Strategy. 

Profile 
Applicants should have the following:  

• At least a 2.1 (Hons) degree and/or a Masters in Computer Science, Information Systems, Political Science, Law, Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related discipline. (You can also apply if you are currently in your last year of study and will obtain your degree in the summer.) 

• Knowledge of several of the following areas is desirable: open data, data governance, AI governance, digital transformation, data spaces. 

• Experience using mixed method approaches (i.e. discourse analysis, network analysis, stakeholder interviews, case studies, Delphi, STS, workshops) 

• Effective, highly motivated team player with the ability to work independently and interested in working with experts studying AI and Data infrastructures 

• Willingness to engage with stakeholders including policymakers to identify requirements and needs. 

• You have the ambition to publish your work in top scientific journals in the field and present your work in international conferences. 

• Possesses strong analytical skills, oral, and written proficiency in English. 

• You should be willing to relocate to Italy and Ireland and occasionally travel in the framework of your PhD. 

PhD Offer Package 

• Multiple benefits (access to university infrastructure and sports facilities, etc.). 

• Guidance from experienced faculty, who will teach you the fundamentals of applied, academic research using different research methodologies.  

• Training on research methodologies and soft skills through access to internal and external courses. 

• The opportunity to develop a professional network within academia and industry. 

• The opportunity to work in an ambitious and reputable team that encourages personal growth, creativity and taking responsibility. 

• The opportunity to gain experience in the role of project management, after a sense of organizational skills have been demonstrated.  

• Preferred starting date is from Spring 2026.  

• During your PhD research, you follow the Structured PhD programme of the University of Galway. 

• You regularly participate in workshops and international conferences. 

• The CDP PhD project will have a total duration of 4 years where the PhD candidate is expected to spend 12 months at the University of Galway in Ireland, followed by 24 months at the JRC in Ispra, Italy and then a final 12 months at the University of Galway.  

• For the period spent at the University of Galway, the student will receive a Hardiman Scholarship. The student will receive a scholarship, including a tax-free stipend of €25,000, p.a., full coverage of tuition fees, funds for conference travel, and an equipment allowance. (https://www.universityofgalway.ie/hardiman-scholarships ) 

• While employed at the JRC, the salary and benefits are those of a JRC Grantholder Category 20, following the Grantholder Rules. The annual gross salary will be around 45.000 Euro and is subject to national income tax. 

Eligibility criteria 
Candidates should, prior to the start of the employment contract with the JRC: 

• have the nationality of a Member State of the EU or a country associated to the Research Framework Programmes, or being resident in an EU Member State since at least five years, and 

• be admitted to the PhD programme in College of Science and Engineering, please consult:  https://www.universityofgalway.ie/science-engineering/postgraduateprogrammes/structured-phd/dsi-eng-research.html 

Selection 
The selection will be done in two stages: first at the University of Galway, and second at the JRC. The selection is based on CVs and interviews by the HEI in the first stage and then the JRC invites 2 to 5 shortlisted candidates for a second and final interview. 

Processing of Personal Data 
Personal data pertaining to this procedure are collected and processed for the University's institutional purposes in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of EU Regulation 2016/679 - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For more details, follow the University of Galway webpage of the Processing of Personal Data Notices 

Application procedure: Candidates are requested to submit a cover letter and CV to edward.curry@universityofgalway.ie using "Sovereignty Implications of European Open Data” in the subject line.  

The deadline for applications is 14th May 2026.