PhD Studentship

Trinity College Dublin School of Chemistry

Organisation/Company Trinity College Dublin School of Chemistry Department School of Chemistry Research Field Technology " Materials technology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 22 Jun 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Dublin) Country Ireland Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship to work on a BIOFABRICATE project, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and supervised by Prof. Ramesh Babu in the School of Chemistry/CRANN at Trinity College Dublin (TCD).

BIOFABRICATE: Integrated Bio-based Innovations for Sustainable Manufacturing, Construction, and Pharmaceutical Applications from Irish Forest Biomass is a multi-institutional programme of research led by the University of Galway, involving TCD, Technological University Dublin (TUD), Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Dublin City University (DCU), Teagasc and a number of industry partners.

BIOFABRICATE aims to develop and validate advanced bio-based materials and technologies from the growing supply of Irish forest biomass, for applications in engineered timber construction, manufacturing, food packaging and pharmaceuticals.

A PhD student will contribute to a project titled "Low-energy, pulping technologies for production of micro and nano cellulose fibres for packaging, adhesives, coatings and pharmaceutical applications." This project aims to develop low-energy, low-emission pulping technologies to produce micro- and nanocrystalline cellulose from hard and softwood selected from Irish forests. The candidate will collaborate with other BIOFABRICATE partners at Teagasc, TU Dublin, University of Galway, and Dublin City University (DCU) and explore MCC and NCC applications across a range of products, including coatings, cosmetics, adhesives, packaging, and excipients.

Where to apply

E-mail

Requirements

Research Field Engineering " Materials engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Standard Duties and Responsibilities of the Post

The selected candidate will explore the development of low-emission pulping technologies for the production of micro- and nanocrystalline cellulose fibres from Irish roundwood residues to unlock the potential of Irish wood sources in high-value applications such as adhesives, coatings, and packaging, and also to create a reliable supply chain of raw materials for scaling the technologies. The standard duties include:

• Plan and conduct laboratory studies
• Undertake data analysis, maintain accurate records and follow laboratory safety procedures.
• Engage with project collaborators.
• Participate in project meetings and dissemination activities.
• Write academic publications and present research at conferences.
• Support teaching, mentoring, or demonstration activities where appropriate.
• Complete all doctoral milestones in line with Trinity College Dublin regulations.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent master's) primary degree in chemistry, material science, wood chemistry or a closely related discipline.

Knowledge & Experience (Essential & Desirable)

• A strong interest in Wood Science, Polymer chemistry, organic chemistry, and interdisciplinary research.
• Evidence of research capability (e.g., project work, and lab project).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English (reflected by TOEFL/IELTS scores).
• Expertise in the production of cellulose fibres, modification and characterisation.
• Analytical skills for characterisation of polymers (DSC, TGA, FTIR, DMA, SEM, etc)
• Use of Life Cycle Assessment Software (LCA)
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrable ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrable creative and critical thinking
• Highly self-motivated
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Excellent organisational skills and ability to meet research deadlines