Research at Maynooth University

Maynooth University is an internationally recognised institution ranked # 1 in Ireland in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Best Young University Rankings. Maynooth University is a place of lively contrasts–a modern institution, dynamic, rapidly-growing, research-led and engaged, yet grounded in historic academic strengths and scholarly traditions.

Maynooth’s unique collegial culture fosters an interdisciplinary approach to research, which its world-class academics bring to bear in tackling some of the most fundamental challenges facing society today. The University’s research institutes and centres consolidate and deliver this impact as vibrant communities of learning, discovery and creation.

View our PhD and Research programmes here

Research at Maynooth is very much central to its teaching, and the University prides itself on placing equal value on its research and teaching missions. Maynooth University is proud of our prowess in the Social Sciences and the Arts and Humanities, embodied in two flagship research institutes. In the Sciences and Engineering, we have major strengths across disciplines in climate research, human health, data sciences, telecommunications and ocean energy. In addition, Maynooth University teams are partners in a number of Science Foundation Ireland national centres, including in communications (CONNECT), software (LERO and ADAPT), data analytics (INSIGHT), geosciences (iCRAG) renewable energy and sustainability (MAREI), bio-pharmaceuticals (SSPC), and advanced manufacturing (iFORM and CONFIRM) thus supporting national priorities and enterprise through our research expertise.

PhD Scholarships in Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research

The Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research draws on the unique expertise across a wide range of disciplines and over 40 research groups in Maynooth University to address health-related research challenges. The disciplines span from Biology to Psychology, Chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering. The training of PhD graduates is one of the key objectives of the Institute.

Applications are now invited for the 2024 intake of PhD Scholars into the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research in September 2024

Applications will be considered for the following research projects:

Project Title: Using novel long-term sleep monitoring to assess the longitudinal interaction between sleep and mental health in young adults with and without insomnia symptoms
Supervisor: Prof Andrew Coogan
Email: andrew.coogan@mu.ie

Project Title: Rational Design of New Silver Antifungal Therapeutics to Combat Drug Resistance: A Proteomics Strategy
Supervisor: Prof Kevin Kavanagh
Email: kevin.kavanagh@mu.ie

Project Title: Investigating the Therapeutic Opportunities in Targeting Fatty Acid Metabolism in Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Supervisor: Dr Joanne Masterson
Email: joanne.masterson@mu.ie

Whilst a key aspiration of the 4 year PhD programme is advancement of knowledge through research, it is also underpinned by structured training in generic and transferable skills.

Eligibility: Graduates in the Life Sciences or related areas (1st or upper 2nd class honours degree).

Stipend: € 18,500 per year plus fees.

Application Process: e-mail CV and contact details for 2 referees to the contact Supervisor indicated for the relevant research project.

Deadline: Midnight Friday 7^th June 2024.

Further Details: Contact Dr Nezira Delagic (nezira.delagic@mu.ie)

PhD positions available in Host-Pathogen Interaction Lab at Maynooth University

2 PhD positions (4 years, €22k stipend/year plus fees)

The Host-Pathogen Interaction laboratory led by Dr Martina Schroeder at Maynooth University Ireland is recruiting new team members for a project that aims to unravel how the human DDX3X protein regulates gene expression generally and in the context of viral infections.

Dysregulation of DDX3X function is linked to disease, including viral infections, various human cancer types, and neurological conditions, in particular the recently described neurodevelopmental condition ‘DDX3X syndrome’. Inhibitors of DDX3X are also being explored for therapeutic development as broad-spectrum antivirals and anti-cancer drugs.

This makes it critical to identify the specific mRNA targets that are regulated by DDX3X in different cellular conditions (e.g. viral infection) and to understand the downstream functional consequences of their dysregulation. The project will employ a wide range of methods, from PAR-CLIP, ribosome profiling and translation assays, to biochemical assays for DDX3X activity, and cellular function and viral replication read-outs.

The project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland. It offers opportunities for short research stays at partner laboratories abroad and annual conference participation. The lab supports researchers in the acquisition of both technical and transferable skills and in their general career development. You will also become part of the Maynooth University structured PhD programme in Biology, which gives you access to a wide range of modules and workshops and provides additional supports for the PhD journey. Dr Schroeder is a co-ordinator of the All-Ireland RNA club, a new initiative that aims to bring together RNA researchers on the island of Ireland for scientific and networking activities that you will be able to partake in during your PhD.

We are looking for enthusiastic candidates with a relevant undergraduate degree, an interest in Molecular Cell Biology and Biochemistry, and previous research experience, ideally with some of the required techniques for the project (ribosome profiling, mRNA translation assays, ATPase and RNA unwinding assays, recombinant protein purification, or molecular cell biology techniques). Successful candidates must be willing to take initiative and adopt responsibility, while having excellent interpersonal skills and being a team player.

For the PhD positions, please send a cover letter, CV, and contact details of two referees to martina.schroeder@mu.ie by the 14th of June.

All research students at Maynooth University undertake a structured research MSc/MLitt or PhD programme, each of which incorporates educational opportunities relevant to research and professional development.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships Application Guide

Maynooth University research students develop a skillset that includes advanced research and analysis techniques, as well as a broad range of transferable skills. The Maynooth University Research Skills Development Programme draws on the expertise of the Graduate Studies and Research Development Offices, in conjunction with faculties, departments and professional units within the University, to further support research students in acquiring the skills and experience necessary to become independent academic researchers and to develop their careers in multiple settings beyond academia. This support is offered through the provision of a number of interdisciplinary modules and workshops. Research programmes at Maynooth University balance both research-specific and professional development education to ensure our research students are prepared for a future of engaging in excellent research and excelling in a variety of challenging careers.

Find out more

PhD and Research programmes at Maynooth University

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Research Programme Application Guide

Current PhD Opportunities