PhD in Sustainable Chemistry and Textile Recycling at Dublin City University Dublin City University in Ireland

PhD opportunity in Sustainable Chemistry and Textile Recycling at Dublin City University (DCU), within the Kelleher Group and the funded PUreTex project.

The project is titled Chemical and Biochemical Recycling of Blended Textiles and focuses on developing innovative solutions for breaking down blended textile waste and recovering high-value components. The research is strongly interdisciplinary and combines organic chemistry, enzyme-based techniques, mass spectrometry, and separation science.

Research themes include designing depolymerisation reagents, solvents, and reaction systems for selective polymer breakdown; screening and optimising enzymes such as cutinases, laccases, and cellulases for fibre degradation; characterising degradation products and recovery yields by mass spectrometry; and developing chromatographic and other separation methods for purification of recovered material streams.

The successful candidate will be based in the School of Chemical Sciences at DCU and supervised by Dr Susan Kelleher. The project is embedded in a funded research initiative with exposure to industry partners and the wider research community, and it aims to contribute to sustainable solutions for textile waste and the circular economy.

Eligibility highlights: applicants should have a 2.1 BSc (Honours) or MSc in Chemistry, Analytical Science, Biochemistry, or a related/equivalent field. Final-year students expecting to meet the grade requirement may also apply. A strong foundation in organic chemistry, interest in sustainability, and experience or strong interest in analytical methods such as HPLC or GC are preferred, along with strong communication, problem-solving, and collaborative skills.

Funding: this is a fully funded four-year PhD with a stipend aligned to Irish Universities Association (IUA) postgraduate guidelines.

Application window: submit by 31 May 2026. Apply by email to [email protected] with a CV, a brief cover letter (max. 1 page), and contact details for two academic referees.