PhD Position in Plant Functional Trait Ecology: Temporal and Contextual Dynamics in Managed Grasslands Trinity College Dublin in Ireland

Trinity College Dublin, Ireland’s leading university and ranked 75th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026), invites applications for a PhD position in plant functional trait ecology. Founded in 1592, Trinity has a long-standing reputation for excellence in education, research, and innovation. This PhD project, aligned with the university’s Strategic Plan 2025-2030, investigates whether plant functional trait relationships are stable through time or are emergent and context-dependent.

The successful candidate will perform both fieldwork and advanced data analysis in plant functional ecology, focusing on above- and below-ground plant traits. The project aims to challenge and refine a core assumption in plant trait ecology: that trait relationships within a species remain stable across time and environmental contexts. Plants are known to adjust their physiology and structure plastically in response to growth, ageing, and competition, yet this variability is not well captured in current research. By collecting and analyzing data on trait plasticity, the candidate will have the opportunity to relate these findings to temporal patterns of plant dynamics and greenhouse gas fluxes within ecosystems.

Research will primarily be conducted in managed grasslands across Ireland, which serve as natural testbeds for studying multiple species under real environmental conditions. The research group is installing a network of unique automated ‘minirhizotron’ root cameras and ancillary sensors, paired with local greenhouse gas measurements. The candidate will benefit from these novel datasets and contribute to ground truthing these systems through manual and machine-assisted phenotyping of leaves and roots. The project also involves examining how trait relationships evolve over time and in different community contexts, linking these findings to ecosystem patterns, functional properties, and environmental context.

Additional opportunities include utilizing community databases of trait data and conducting smaller-scale manipulative experiments to assess the stability of trait relationships. The candidate will work within a multidisciplinary group spanning ecological science, engineering, and computer science methods. Fieldwork will primarily take place in Ireland, with potential for involvement in fieldwork in the UK and Spain, incorporating data from these sites into the project. Facilities for leaf and root trait analysis, soil analysis, and computing resources are available within the research group. International collaborations, conference attendance, and research trips are expected as part of the project.

Trinity College Dublin is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, welcoming applications from all individuals, including those with disabilities, non-traditional career paths, or those displaced due to war. The university is an EU Sustainable Gender Equality Champion and holds an Athena Swan Silver award, reflecting its ongoing work to advance gender equality. Trinity supports work-life balance and offers a family-friendly working environment.

Applicants should submit a full Curriculum Vitae (without photo or personal information), names and contact details of two referees, and a one-page personal statement explaining their interest in the project to Dr. Richard Nair at [email protected] with the subject line ‘2026 Plant Traits PhD application’. The first review of candidates will take place on 18th June 2026. Enquiries are welcome in advance of application.