PhD Studentship

Post Status: Fixed-term Contract–Full-time (48 months). 

Research Group / Department / School: School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin 

Location: School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland 

Reports to: Dr Damian Palin 

Terms & Conditions: Fully funded PhD studentship for up to four years, covering PhD tuition fees (full overseas rate) and stipend (€25,000 per annum), subject to satisfactory progress. 

Hours of Work: 38 hours per week 

Closing Date: 23:59 (Irish time), May 10, 2026

Post Summary 

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship to work on HYDROCEM, funded by the Research Ireland Pathway Programme and supervised by Dr Damian Palin in the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. Inspired by biomineralised tissues such as bone and seashell, HYDROCEM will add designer hydrogels to cement binders (that bind concrete together) to instruct their formation and organisation at sub-millimetre scales to enhance their tensile strength, promising cementitious materials that meet structural demands with significantly less cement. The successful candidate will: have access to world-class materials development facilities; engage with leading international and academic project collaborators: Prof. Daniel Kelly at TCD, Assoc. Prof. Niels Holten-Andersen at Lehigh University, and Dr Jure Zlopasa at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF); and may undertake secondments at Lehigh University and IFF.

Qualifications 

• Primary degree (and ideally Master’s) in civil engineering, materials science, chemistry, or a closely related discipline. 

• Applicants must meet Trinity College Dublin’s PhD entry requirements: 

https://www.tcd.ie/study/apply/admission-requirements/postgraduate/