PhD in Biorefinery Strategies for Microalgae High-Value Compound Extraction Teagasc in Ireland

PhD opportunity in biorefinery strategies for extracting high-value compounds from microalgae at Teagasc Ashtown, Co. Dublin, Ireland, in collaboration with University College Dublin under the Walsh Scholars Programme.

This project focuses on microalgae biotechnology, biorefinery, food processing, biomass fractionation, and the development of food-grade, nutrient-rich ingredients from agri-food side streams. The research aims to support a climate-resilient, circular, and sustainable food system by exploring low-cost cultivation and innovative cascading biorefinery approaches for wet microalgal biomass.

The project is jointly supervised by Brijesh Tiwari at Teagasc and Ronald Halim at University College Dublin. The research environment includes access to state-of-the-art microalgae cultivation suites, non-thermal processing equipment, biomass characterisation facilities, and wider national/international research networks. There are also opportunities for conference presentations, expert-led training, professional development, and an international research placement of up to 12 weeks.

Funding: fully funded 4-year PhD supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), with a €25,000 annual stipend and university fees covered up to €6,000 per annum.

Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold a 2.1 Honours degree and/or a Master's in Biotechnology, Chemical/Bioprocess Engineering, Microbiology, or a related discipline. Strong English-language proficiency is required, and prior experience in microalgae biotechnology is an advantage.

Application window: submit the online application by 5:00pm on Friday 29 May 2026. A CV and a 1–2 page motivation statement are required. Informal queries may be sent to [email protected].