Courses
Postgraduate Research Vacancies
Two Funded PhD Opportunities
AIMINGPEAT Research Project: “Advanced Integrated Measurements and Modelling Approaches for Predicting Carbon Emissions and Removals from Irish Peatlands”
Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science,
Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Sligo, Ireland
Duration: 4 years
AIMINGPEAT Research Project Background and Description
Peatlands are significant carbon (C) reservoirs, with their C sink strength influenced by multiple factors. Despite historical losses, Ireland still possesses substantial peat resources but lacks a comprehensive system for accurately accounting for peatland emissions.. Peatland ecosystems are crucial for national and international climate mitigation goals, especially in achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 through restoration. The AIMINGPEAT project aims to improve carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emission/removal reporting for Irish peatlands and identify effective management interventions, focusing on the main drivers of GHG dynamics, especially in degraded and rehabilitated peatlands. The research under the AIMINGPEAT project further strives to introduce a comprehensive modelling framework encapsulating statistical/empirical and/or hybrid/coupled modelling approaches/tasks to using the biogeochemical process-based models. Modelling C exchange in rehabilitated/restored peatlands can be challenging due to their unique conditions and heterogeneous nature, and advanced modelling approaches are needed to address these challenges. While some country-specific emission factors have been incorporated into recent NIR, default Tier 1 emission factors are still used in the absence of specific data. The research under AIMINGPEAT project aims to tackle these gaps and has been designed to consider both CO2 and CH4 emissions/removals. The research focuses on improving current national inventory reporting (NIR) for CO2 and CH4, assisting climate neutrality assessment. The project further strives to establish links between analysing GHG emissions/removals at various scales, producing outputs that advance the state-of-the-art and support knowledge transfer to the scientific community and beyond.
Main Objectives:
- Improve Ireland’s GHG emissions/removals assessment for peatlands, including both CH4 and CO2, using a comprehensive modelling framework.
- Identify key drivers of GHG emissions/removals in Irish peatlands to inform management interventions for climate mitigation.
- Develop and apply advanced integrated modelling approaches to enhance NIR reporting for CO2 and CH4, aiding climate neutrality assessment.
- Enhance understanding of Irish peatlands, especially degraded and rehabilitated ones, to support restoration, ecosystem services, and resilience.
- Engage stakeholders to improve CO2 and CH4 NIR methodologies and maximize peatlands’ climate mitigation potential, drawing inspiration from climate futures projects.
- Evaluate Irish peatlands’ role as a C sink to develop measures, scenarios, and strategies for future climate mitigation and neutrality, including short-term actions and long-term milestones.
- Establish/recommend advanced measuring and modelling approaches to improve NIR, monitor progress towards climate neutrality, and evaluate peatland climate mitigation potential over time.
Two Funded PhD Opportunities:
Under the AIMINGPEAT research project, applications are invited for two separate funded PhD research opportunities on integrated measurements and modelling approaches for predicting C emissions and removals from Irish peatlands:
- PhD Opportunity 1, with main focus on CO2 emissions and removals
and - PhD Opportunity 2, with main focus on CH4 emissions and removals.
Each of the two PhD positions provides coverage of EU University fees and a stipend of €25,000 per annum for four years.
The two PhDs will be conducted under the supervision of Dr. Alina Premrov (alina.premrov@atu.ie) at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Faculty of Science, Department of Environmental Science, Sligo, Ireland, in close collaboration with Dr. Matthew Saunders saundem@tcd.ie), Trinity College Dublin, School of Natural Sciences, Botany Discipline, Plant Ecophysiology Research Group, Dublin, Ireland. At later stages, the project will also work closely with Dr. Jagadeesh Yeluripati (Jagadeesh.Yeluripati@hutton.ac.uk), The James Hutton Institute, Information and Computational Sciences Department, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
Expected Start Date: No later than September 2025, earlier preferred.
Candidate Requirements:
- Applications are invited from graduates holding a first or 2.1 class honours degree or M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences, Soil Science, Plant Biology/Botany, Agricultural Science, Atmospheric Physics, Biochemistry, Physical Geography, Biogeochemistry or related discipline.
- Candidates should be highly interested in interdisciplinary research approaches and enjoying data-handling and data-analyses, extensive environmental modelling, including statistical/empirical, process-based, and coupled/hybrid modelling approaches. Applications are sought from candidates with knowledge of data-handling and analysis, basic software and R programming language for statistical computing and graphics (The R Foundation for Statistical Computing). Knowledge of other programming languages, such as Python is desirable. Research experience in handling large datasets, statistical analyses, environmental modelling, GIS, remote sensing and related disciplines would be a distinct advantage.
- Candidates should exhibit skills in writing reports, preparing scientific journal publications, delivering presentations, working both independently and in a team, and being highly self-motivated. Fluency in English is essential, and candidates whose first language is not English need to meet ATU’s minimum English language requirements
Application Procedure:
Interested applicants should submit their application, within a single PDF document, consisting of a CV with educational background, transcripts of degree results, list of publications and conference presentations, a short (1–2 page) letter of motivation, and names and contact details of 2 referees, directly to Dr. Alina Premrov alina.premrov@atu.ie. The motivation letter should clearly state how the applicant’s research interests and skills relate to the research project outlined above. Please specify which of the two PhD opportunities you are applying for, or indicate if you wish to be considered for both, noting that only one can be pursued if selected. Please ensure that all required documents are included and that your application is complete before submission.
By submitting their application as outlined above, applicants consent to having their application documents forwarded to and evaluated by the selection committee.
Please only apply if you are eligible for EU fees.
Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr. Alina Premrov alina.premrov@atu.ie. ATU is committed to embedding Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
Application Deadline: 30th June 2025. Early application is strongly recommended.
Funding Notes: AIMINGPEAT research project is funded under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the EPA Research Programme 2021-2030 (Project Ref. 2024-CE-1289). The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
PhD position in Non-Thermal Plasma-Assisted Technology for Sustainable Fertilisers
About the Project
Highly motivated individuals with a first class or high second-class honours degree/ masters in Materials Science, Agriculture, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering/Chemistry, Materials Science/engineering or a related discipline is required to work in the project entitled ‘Non-thermal plasma-assisted technology for sustainable fertilisers’
The PhD research will be fully funded under the Powering Research & Innovation for Advanced Manufacturing (PRISM) Project. PRISM aims to support SMEs in introducing sustainable product development & manufacturing practices. The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). PRISM will harness commercially focused Research and Innovation expertise to drive decarbonisation in three sub-regional manufacturing clusters: mineral, polymer and agri-food processing. The project will be led by Southwest College (SWC), with Atlantic Technical University, Queens University Belfast, Dublin City University, Northwest Regional College and Cavan Innovation and Technology Centre as partners.
The research will be carried out in collaboration with Atlantic Technological University and Northwest Regional College. The selected candidate will be registered at ATU campus in Sligo.
Interested applicants are required to read the terms & conditions, complete an application form (both available on the research page) and submit along with a cover letter and a detailed CV directly to Prof. Suresh C. Pillai Suresh.Pillai@atu.ie
IELTS/TOEFL certificate is required for candidates applying from non-English speaking countries.
Previous research experience in plasma processing, materials synthesis, fertilisers etc. will be advantageous but not essential.
Funding Notes
The PhD research will be fully funded under the Powering Research & Innovation for Advanced Manufacturing (PRISM) Project. PRISM aims to support SMEs to introduce sustainable product development & manufacturing practices. The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Scholarship €22,000 (4 years) and the fees will be paid.
Application Closing Date: Wednesday, 30th July, 2025
Supervisor Information
Lead supervisor: Dr Christopher Mc Eleney [christopher.mceleney@atu.ie]
Supervisor: Martin Bradley [martin.bradley@atu.ie] Supervisor: Dr Denis Mc Crudden [denis.mccrudden@atu.ie]
Project title: Portable Analytical Methods for Peatland Restoration Monitoring
Application deadline: 15th August 2025
Funding Information
Directly Funded Project (Students Worldwide)
Funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body – SEUPB.
Stipend: €25,000 p.a. until June 2029.
Financial support for project-related travel and consumables.
Application deadline: 5 pm (IST) 15 August 2025 How to apply: Email one PDF labelled “[Surname]-PortableMethods.pdf” to christopher.mceleney@atu.ie with the subject line “PhD Application – Portable Analytical Methods – [Surname]”. The PDF must contain: • Curriculum Vitae (including contact details for two referees) • Degree transcript(s) • Personal Statement (≤ 300 words) covering 1) how your background suits this project, and 2) why you wish to pursue this PhD. Only applications that meet these formatting instructions will be reviewed.5. Project Description
Project Description
Peatlands store vast amounts of carbon, yet they become significant sources of greenhouse gases when drained or degraded. Across Ireland and Northern Ireland, the PEAT+ programme is restoring priority blanket and raised bogs through re-wetting, drain blocking, and habitat recovery. This PhD will develop and validate portable analytical methods that enable practitioners, students, and community groups to track soil/peat condition and restoration progress quickly and at low cost across multiple sites.
The successful candidate will review the literature and work with project partners to shortlist field-ready indicators (moisture/drying curves, rapid organic matter/loss-on-ignition proxies, active carbon assays, electrical conductivity, pH/redox microprobes and related rapid tests). Laboratory reference methods will be used to calibrate and validate simplified field protocols across contrasting peat types and restoration sites. Data quality, repeatability, and user error will be assessed to ensure methods are reliable outside specialist labs.
Validated methods will be deployed throughout restoration monitoring sites and compared against standard ecological and hydrological metrics gathered across the PEAT+ Project (vegetation change, water-table depth, carbon flux outputs from linked work packages). The goal is to develop a decision-support framework that indicates when restoration is on track, where intervention is needed, and how simple measurements relate to long-term carbon and biodiversity outcomes.
Expected outputs include peer-reviewed papers, development of protocols, provision of practitioner guidance and training, and contributions to PEAT+ site reporting.
Requirements/Qualifications:
The successful candidate will hold an Honours Degree with a minimum award classification of 2:1 or equivalent in a cognate discipline (Chemistry, Environmental Science, Soil Science, Environmental Engineering or related discipline).
Laboratory experience in analytical methods is highly desirable. Field readiness for remote bog terrain required, driving licence helpful. English: If English is not the first language, please provide evidence meeting ATU’s postgraduate minimum (IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each component, or recognised equivalent). Evidence must be current.
Start date: October 2025
Duration: ~4 years full-time.
Location: ATU Donegal with fieldwork across PEAT+ restoration sites
Application Enquiries: Email: christopher.mceleney@atu.ie
Supervisor Information
Lead supervisor: Dr Christopher Mc Eleney [christopher.mceleney@atu.ie]
Supervisor: Martin Bradley [martin.bradley@atu.ie] Supervisor: Dr Denis Mc Crudden [denis.mccrudden@atu.ie]
Project title: Portable Environmental Sensing Systems for Peatland Restoration Application deadline: 15th August 2025
Funding Information
Directly Funded Project (Students Worldwide)
Funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body – SEUPB.
Stipend: €25,000 p.a. until June 2029.
Financial support for project-related travel and consumables.
Application deadline: 5 pm (IST), 15th August 2025 How to apply: Email one PDF labelled “[Surname]-EnvironmentalSensing.pdf” to christopher.mceleney@atu.ie with the subject line “PhD Application – Environmental Sensing Systems – [Surname]”. The PDF must contain: • Curriculum Vitae (including contact details for two referees) • Degree transcript(s) • Personal Statement (≤ 300 words) covering 1) how your background suits this project, and 2) why you wish to pursue this PhD. Only applications that meet these formatting instructions will be reviewed.
Project Description
Effective peatland restoration management depends on knowing whether rewetting and site works are actually restoring the desired conditions across often remote and harsh landscapes.
The cross-border PEAT+ Programme is delivering large-scale restoration of blanket and raised bogs and requires a robust, comparable stream of site condition data (water levels, surface wetness, microclimate, and other metrics) to guide adaptive management and reporting. This PhD will design, build, and validate portable, low‑power environmental sensing systems tailored to restored peatlands.
The successful candidate will review commercial and open-source hardware options, then prototype modular logger nodes (e.g., water-table/pore-pressure sensors, surface moisture probes, temperature/humidity, rainfall capture, pH, EC, or redox, where feasible). Custom sensor housings will be prototyped using 3D printing to reduce costs and simplify durable field deployment. Emphasis will be on ruggedisation, low energy demand (solar + battery), and cost control, so that networks can be scaled across multiple restoration sites. Bench testing in controlled wet cores will precede limited field pilots to evaluate accuracy, drift, power performance, and ease of deployment by non-specialists.
Following pilot validation, the successful candidate will develop standard installation and QA procedures and roll out a network across priority PEAT+ restoration sites. Sensor data will be compared with routine field assessments (vegetation condition, water-table dipwell readings, and others) to identify reliable early-warning thresholds.
Expected outputs include peer-reviewed papers, development of protocols, provision of practitioner guidance and training, and contributions to PEAT+ site reporting.
Requirements/Qualifications:
The successful candidate will hold an Honours Degree with a minimum award classification of 2:1 or equivalent in a cognate discipline (Environmental Engineering, Electronic/Mechatronic Engineering, Environmental Science, Applied Physics, or related discipline).
Experience with sensors, microcontrollers, data‑logging or telemetry is highly desirable; familiarity with Python or R data handling is advantageous. English: If English is not the first language, please provide evidence meeting ATU’s postgraduate minimum (IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each component, or recognised equivalent). Evidence must be current.
Start date: October 2025
Duration: ~4 years full-time.
Location: ATU Donegal with fieldwork across PEAT+ restoration sites.
Application Enquiries: Email: christopher.mceleney@atu.ie