PhD Studentship in Causal Inference for Resilient Cities and Urban Integrated Transport (CIRCUIT Project) Trinity College Dublin in Ireland

Trinity College Dublin, Ireland’s leading university and ranked 75th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026), offers a prestigious PhD studentship as part of the SEAI-funded CIRCUIT project (Causal Inference for Resilient Cities and Urban Integrated Transport). Founded in 1592, Trinity is renowned for its excellence in education, research, and innovation, inspiring generations of thinkers for over 400 years. The CIRCUIT project is a four-year interdisciplinary research programme that aims to develop advanced econometric and machine learning frameworks to analyse the causal relationships between transport behaviour, residential energy consumption, and environmental outcomes in urban systems.

The successful candidate will undertake doctoral research focused on activity-based travel behaviour, household energy use, and sustainability policy. This research will contribute to the development of causal inference and agent-based modelling tools, with the goal of informing resilient urban transport and energy systems. The PhD will be supervised within the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, and will involve close collaboration with postdoctoral researchers, project partners, and national stakeholders including SEAI, the Department of Transport, and local authorities.

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 in higher education. Trinity supports work-life balance and offers a family-friendly working environment.

Funding: The PhD studentship is fully funded by SEAI, covering tuition and stipend for four years. The CIRCUIT project provides a unique opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research with real-world impact, collaborating with national stakeholders and contributing to sustainable urban development.

Eligibility: Applicants should hold a relevant undergraduate or master's degree in engineering, environmental science, economics, computer science, or a related discipline. Strong quantitative skills and experience with econometric or machine learning methods are desirable. International applicants and those with non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply. No specific language test requirements or minimum GPA are mentioned.

Application Window: Applications are open; no specific deadline is provided. Interested candidates should submit a full Curriculum Vitae including the names and contact details of two referees (with email addresses) to Prof Brian Caulfield via the online application link.

How to Apply: Prepare your CV, highlighting relevant academic background and quantitative skills. Include contact details for two referees. Apply online using the provided link.