Postgraduate Research Vacancies

SPEAR Research Programme: Fully Funded PhD Opportunities in Integrated Photonics

Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Letterkenny Campus
In partnership with Ulster University, Tyndall National Institute, and Seagate Technology

Duration: 4 years (Full-time)
Expected Start Date: 1st October 2025
Location: Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland

SPEAR Project Background and Description

The Semiconductor and Photonics Education and Research (SPEAR) Centre, funded by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), is an €8.5 million cross-border project that will provide ATU and Ulster University with access to an all-island network of research groups and industry partners. The project receives strategic support from Tyndall and advisory support from Seagate Technology.

The SPEAR Centre is a photonics research, training, and innovation response to the challenges outlined in the EU Chips Act 2023, while also addressing existing deficits in high-skill/high-value employment and research infrastructure in the border region.

The Centre aims to build research capacity in integrated photonics and semiconductor technologies, contributing to the development of Ireland’s and Northern Ireland’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem. It seeks to train the next generation of scientists and engineers to support growth in sectors such as healthcare, telecommunications, advanced manufacturing, and sensor networks.

A key element of the project is a doctoral training initiative comprising 15 PhD students, delivered in collaboration with Ulster University, Tyndall National Institute, and Seagate Technology, a global leader in data storage and photonics innovation.

Four PhD students will be based at ATU Donegal and will join a collaborative Doctoral College alongside PhD students at Ulster University and Tyndall National Institute. This initiative involves co-supervised research, joint training activities, summer schools, industry engagement, and access to advanced infrastructure.

These fully funded PhDs offer the opportunity to conduct high-impact, applied research while developing valuable professional skills in both academia and industry.

Main Research Themes at ATU

Applicants may express interest in one or more of the following key research areas. PhD projects will be available in:

• Next-generation optical/Photonics 6G networks for future communications
• Photonics-driven antenna systems
• Photonics for networked wearable sensor communications
• Advanced signal processing and AI for optical communications
• Photonics-based innovation in healthcare, IoT, sports, and agri-tech
• Photonics for smart manufacturing

Projects will be co-supervised with partner institutions and will span disciplines including optics, wireless systems, embedded systems, electronics, machine learning, and signal processing.

Main Objectives

• Advance integrated photonics applications in smart manufacturing, wireless communications, and sensing across the cross-border PEACEPLUS region
• Design and validate novel optical imaging or communication systems
• Incorporate AI or embedded hardware for high-performance photonics platforms
• Collaborate with partners and SMEs in the PEACEPLUS region to solve challenges through the deployment of photonics/optics technologies

Candidate Requirements

Applications are invited from graduates who meet the following criteria:

• Hold a first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in:
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Photonics
  • Physics
  • Applied Computing
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • Write technical reports and prepare scientific publications
  • Deliver presentations to diverse audiences
  • Work both independently and collaboratively in a research team
  • Manage time and research tasks effectively
• Equipped with the highest level of scientific and engineering research skills required to develop new integrated photonic technologies for diverse applications, as well as the entrepreneurial, leadership, and teamwork capabilities needed to excel in industry
• Highly self-motivated with a clear interest in interdisciplinary and applied research
• Fluency in English is essential. Candidates whose first language is not English must meet ATU’s minimum English language requirements (e.g. IELTS 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 or equivalent)

Funding Notes

Each of the four PhD positions includes:

• Full coverage of EU/UK academic fees
• Tax-free stipend of €25,000 per annum for four years
• Coverage of project-related research expenses and travel support

These positions are funded by PEACEPLUS, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Application Procedure

Interested applicants should submit their application as a single PDF document to: Nick.Timmons@atu.ie
Subject line: SPEAR PhD Application – [Your Name]

The PDF should include:

1. A one-page cover letter indicating your preferred research theme and motivation
2. A CV (maximum 2 pages)
3. Academic transcripts
4. Contact details for two academic referees

Application Deadline: 12th September 2025 – early application is strongly recommended.

Informal Enquiries

Dr. Nick Timmons – Nick.Timmons@atu.ie

ATU is committed to supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion across all research activities.

PhD in Applied freshwater ecology

Principal Investigators: Prof. Frances Lucy, Dr. Luca Mirimin, Dr. Nicolas Touzet.
Duration: Funded for 3 years, full-time.
Funding Source: PEACEPLUS FLOW PROJECT

Description

This applied ecology studentship is part of a larger collaborative and interdisciplinary mission within the EU-funded (SEUPB PeacePlus) “For the Love of Our Waters” (FLOW) project. The FLOW project aims to address declining water quality in cross border Ireland & Northern Ireland priority catchments in support of the 3rd Cycle of River Basin Management Plans (2021-2027). The PhD student will carry out research on water quality analysis (chemical and biochemical), species (micro- and macrobial) monitoring by means of eDNA analysis, as well as take part in biodiversity/heritage/water literacy outreach initiatives. The student will be based in CERIS (ATU Sligo), but will also conduct part of their work in the MFRC (ATU Galway). A substantial amount of field work and travel across Ireland and Northern Ireland is expected from the start of the
fellowship. This will also include stakeholder engagement such as landowners, farmers or schools. Attendance and contribution to international scientific conferences and publication of peer-review scientific papers is also envisaged. Activities will encompass field work, sampling, water sample analysis (e.g. water quality parameters, phytoplankton/cyanobacteria characterisation, eDNA analysis) as well as engaging with
community stakeholders groups, contributing to literature review, statistical analysis, data interpretation, report writing and dissemination of findings.

Stipend: €24,000 per annum + institutional registration and tuition fees for 3 years.

Profile Requirements: Motivated candidates with strong interests in environmental science and aquatic microbial ecology must have a Honours Degree (minimum 2.1 BSc) (essential) and/or a M.Sc. (desirable) in relevant disciplines. Appropriate training will be provided. However, candidates with prior practical experience in microbiology (e.g. water quality assays), analytical chemistry (e.g. HPLC), microalgal biology (e.g. photoautotrophic cultivation) and/or molecular biology (e.g. real time PCR and/or eDNA metabarcoding) will be considered favourably. A valid driving licence from a European country is essential. Scholarship fees will be covered in full for candidates with European citizenship, but not for non-European citizens. If English is not the applicant’s first language, evidence of English language proficiency is required for registration. Please refer to this web link to consult ATU’s English language proficiency standards.

Expected Start Date: October 2025 (pending funding availability).

To Apply: Please send by email 1) a detailed cover letter addressing how your priorexperience aligns with this project and your motivation for pursuing a PhD in CERIS/MFRC/ATU, 2) full curriculum vitae and 3) contact details of two academic referees (who may be contacted as part of the selection process) to Dr. Nicolas Touzet (nicolas.touzet@atu.ie). Please insert the subject line ‘Application to FLOW PhD position’ with your electronic correspondence.

This research is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Closing date for applications: 17:00 local time, 20th of September 2025.

AIMINGPEAT Research Project: Funded PhD Opportunity on Predicting CO₂ Emissions and Removals from Irish Peatlands

Project Title: “Advanced Integrated Measurements and Modelling Approaches for Predicting Carbon Emissions and Removals from Irish Peatlands” – AIMINGPEAT, funded under the Irish EPA Research Programme 2021-2030.

Supervisor: Dr. Alina Premrov alina.premrov@atu.ie.

IF TWO SUPERVISORS ARE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY ON THE PLATFORM:

Dr. Alina Premrov alina.premrov@atu.ie.
Dr. Matthew Saunders saundem@tcd.ie.

OVERALL Project 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.

Overall Main Project 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.

Funded PhD Opportunity (Focusing on CO₂ Emissions and Removals from Irish Peatlands):

Under the AIMINGPEAT research project, applications are invited for one separate funded PhD research opportunity on integrated measurements and modelling approaches for predicting C emissions and removals from Irish peatlands with main focus on CO₂ emissions and removals.

ThisPhD opportunity provides coverage of EU University fees and a stipend of €25,000 per annum for no longer than four years. The PhD 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.

Start date: No later than in 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 (https://www.atu.ie/study/international/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 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. *

Applications are welcomed from EU / EEA / UK applicants.

Please only apply if you are eligible for EU fees.

ATU is committed to embedding Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) – https://www.atu.ie/about/equality-diversity-and-inclusion.

Application Deadline:  End of October 2025 (or until filled, with formal starting date no later than in 2025), earlier applications are preferred.

Application enquiries: Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr. Alina Premrov alina.premrov@atu.ie.

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.