Research

Application(s) are invited from suitably qualified candidates for full-time (Irish Marine Institute) funded PhD scholarship(s) starting Feb-April, 2025 affiliated to the School of Natural Sciences 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 PhD student will be the central figure in evaluating the use of relatively low-cost seabed platforms, deployed in a strategic array in Irish waters, as an environmental monitoring tool for marine spatial planning. Landers will be developed through knowledge gained from an existing low-cost platform delivery system (LanderPick), in collaboration with the LanderPick research group in IEO-Spain, with whom the successful researcher will spend time early in the PhD.  An array of landers will be used to monitor Essential Ocean variables (EOVs) at strategic locations at the Irish continental margin and shelf waters, including SACs where natural and anthropogenic environmental impacts require expert assessment. Data collected will inform the oceanographic processes causing extreme temperature changes (Marine Heat Waves - MHWs) and the connection of surface to deep water changes. The landers will also measure bottom currents and elucidate pressing science questions on the role of the continental margin currents (e.g. European Slope Current) in modulating the magnitude and the regional variability/connectivity of these changes. 

The researcher will be based between the MI and UoG and work will involve;

1. Assessment and design of the lander (and array) for multipurpose measurements including an extended research visit to IEO – Spain to the LanderPick research group to acquire essential skills in the use and operation of the lander system.
2. Analysis of data from current, and future, deployments of an Irish Array (ISLA) to assess benthic environmental conditions, continental margin currents, and other subsidiary biological observations (e.g. from camera systems at SACs)

• Analysis of marine heatwaves in Irish waters from existing (and collected) data (field and re-analysis), led by the research group at Maynooth University (Dr. G McCarthy) – again involving time spent in the research group.

Research details will be tailored to the strengths of the successful candidate, but the foundations of the research are as detailed above. The successful candidate will have an interest and knowledge in marine measurement technology and environmental/climate issues within the Irish marine realm. They will have strong and demonstrable numerical and data handling skills, as well as an appreciation of marine technology and observing systems for ocean measurements. The researcher will work towards producing scientific output that will support government actions to fulfil environmental and marine spatial planning legislation requirements.

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

University fees: €6,000 per annum

Start date: Earliest convenience in 2025, no later than April 2025.

• Academic Entry Requirements: A master’s degree or first-class honours B.Sc. in a relevant discipline (e.g. Oceanographic/Marine science, Applied computational science or similar), with a good foundation in marine hydrodynamics and interest in marine technology.

• Experience with field monitoring, data collection and demonstrable skill in statistical and large data analysis (inc. data manipulation skills (e.g. R, Matlab etc.).

To Apply for the Scholarship: Please email an introduction letter and current CV, indicating your research experience, and names of two referees, to Dr. Martin White martin.white@universityofgalway.ie with subject line ‘Cullen Ph.D. Application’.

Contact Name: Dr. Martin White

Contact Email: martin.white@universityofgalway.ie

Application Deadline: 03/01/2025 ,  16:00 Irish Time

Primary Supervisor name: Dr, Martin White (with Dr. Glenn Nolan (Marine Institute)

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 Skodowska 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 10 fellowships may be awarded on the 1st Call.

ROSETTA Fellowships are open to applicants of any nationality 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 of any nationality.  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/

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.

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

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 midnight (UTC) on the call deadline of Friday, 27^th September 2024.

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 110-24 in subject line of all queries related to this post.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday, 27^th September 2024 at 23.59 UTC.

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.