PhD in Improving Fertiliser Nitrogen Recommendations for Cereals in Ireland South East Technological University (Carlow) in Ireland

This fully funded PhD project at South East Technological University (SETU) focuses on improving fertiliser nitrogen (N) recommendations for cereal crops in Ireland. Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for crop yield, but current methods for estimating soil N supply—primarily the soil N index system—are limited, relying heavily on cropping history and neglecting other influential factors such as soil type, organic manure applications, rainfall, and organic matter content. The project aims to provide a robust scientific basis for updating the index system, enhancing the accuracy of fertiliser N recommendations for Irish arable farmers.

The research will involve field trials across a broad range of sites growing winter cereals, measuring soil N supply (as N accumulated by aboveground crop parts without fertiliser N) and relating these values to various soil, site, and weather variables using statistical techniques like multiple regression. A key objective is to assess the value of pre-fertiliser soil mineral N measurements and explore the potential for national-scale seasonal variation estimates using data from select sites, reducing the need for individual field measurements. For spring crops, the project will also investigate how overwinter cover crops contribute N to subsequent barley crops and whether this can be predicted to optimize fertiliser inputs.

The student will be based at the Crop Science Department at Teagasc Oak Park, with access to modern laboratories and field equipment, as well as facilities at SETU and other Teagasc centres. The research environment offers opportunities for collaboration with national and international networks and researchers across disciplines. SETU provides a structured four-year training and development framework, supporting both academic excellence and career readiness through expert-led training, workshops, and professional development. Students will have opportunities to present at conferences and engage with the wider research community.

Funding: The position is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine targeted research call 2025, offering a stipend of €25,000 per year and covering fees of €5,750 per annum for four years (full-time).

Eligibility: Applicants must have an Honours Degree (minimum 2:1) or Masters in agricultural science, soil science, or a related discipline. Essential skills include understanding of arable crop and nitrogen nutrition, and the soil N cycle. Experience with soil samples and knowledge of soil N estimation methods are desirable. Non-native English speakers must meet SETU’s English language requirements. Strong communication, teamwork, and data handling skills are advantageous, as is a willingness to travel for fieldwork.

Application: Apply online via the SETU website, quoting reference code CW_2025_10_SPONS, and upload all supporting documents. The deadline is Friday, 3 April 2026 at 4pm Irish Time. For informal queries, contact Dr. John Carroll at [email protected]. For application process queries, contact [email protected].

PhD commencement is scheduled for September 2026. SETU is an equal opportunities employer.