Fully-funded PhD opportunity in Transformations to Sustainability

Dr. Tadhg OMahony's research group invites applications from highly motivated students to conduct research in the broad area of ‘Transformations to Sustainability’. This unique opportunity at the cutting edge of global sustainability science offers full-funding, for one PhD student, for up to four years, starting in Spring 2025. The proposed research will focus on one or more of Dr. O’Mahony’s core research interests, including, but not limited to:

1. sustainable wellbeing;
2. applying futures studies methods to analyse and envision transformations;
3. shifting development pathways towards sustainability;
4. sustainable consumption and lifestyles;
5. consumption-based modelling;
6. energy and emissions mitigation modelling;
7. postgrowth, degrowth and green growth perspectives;
8. transformational governance and policy;
9. inter and transdisciplinary systems thinking;
10. EU and global driving forces and scenarios.

Scholarship Terms

The benefits of this PhD scholarship include:

• Four-year research scholarship with value up to €37,440 per annum in stipend and waived fees;
• Tax-free stipend of €22,000 per annum;
• Waived tuition fees for both EU and non-EU candidates;
• Additional direct research expenses total €4,000;
• Opportunity to compliment stipend and gain teaching and mentoring experience in UCD and Chang’an Dublin International College, Xi’an China;
• UCD career building and networking opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must, at a minimum, satisfy the entry requirements for a PhD degree at UCD which includes the UCD Minimum Language Requirements. Applications are particularly encouraged from candidates that possess these additional qualifications:

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (environmental policy; ecological economics; environmental economics; environmental science; sustainable development; climate policy; futures studies);
• Demonstrable motivation to conduct cutting edge research;
• Relevant research and/or other research-related experience;
• A desire to develop an international research profile;
• Strong organisational, writing, presentation and other communication skills;
• The ability to work independently, as well as in a team, to work under pressure, respect deadlines, and produce quality work;
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

About the PI

Having recently joined UCD Dr. Tadhg O’Mahony is Assistant Professor in Environmental Policy at UCD and Adjunct Professor at the Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC) in Finland. Prior to UCD he was Research Fellow at DCU, and a Marie Sklodowska Curie Individual Fellow at the FFRC, where he developed a globally groundbreaking approach to ‘sustainable wellbeing’. He has also held a Marie Curie fellowship in the Systems Analysis Unit of IMDEA Energy in Madrid, run his own consultancy providing analysis and policy advice on climate action, and was Senior Economist at the Secretariat to the Irish Climate Change Advisory Council where his work led to a shift in Irish transport policy towards transformation. He received his PhD in 2010 on scenarios of energy-related carbon emissions. His research interests in sustainability transformations span scales, dimensions and disciplines in analysing, envisioning and implementing transformational change to sustainable low emissions futures.

UCD and School context

Ireland’s largest university, University College Dublin is ranked within the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide. The university is located on a 330-acre parkland campus in the south Dublin suburbs. Dublin itself is a lively European capital renowned for its nightlife. The School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy in UCD has an international reputation as a centre of excellence for research and teaching in a multidisciplinary School.

How to apply

An expression of interest should be lodged containing the following three documents in a single PDF marked ‘Candidate PhD Application 2024’ to [Email Address Removed], by the 15th of November 2024:

• A personal statement highlighting your motivation and how you meet the eligibility criteria (max 1 page).
• An outline of an initial research proposal aligned to one or more of the research interests detailed above (max 2 pages);
• An up-to-date academic CV (max 5 pages).

This document will be used as the basis for both further shortlisting, and for proposal refinement that will occur as part of the selection process. Please note, non-EU candidates will be required to meet Irish national Visa requirements.

Informal enquiries may be made to Research Manager [Email Address Removed] or to [Email Address Removed].