David Styles

PhD opportunity at the University of Galway in collaboration with Teagasc under the Grass4Value project. This fully funded doctoral scholarship focuses on sustainable and resilient grass biorefinery deployment and circular bioeconomy pathways for Ireland’s grassland resources. The research will examine value chains for low-emission feed, food, energy, bio-based materials, and fertilisers, with a strong emphasis on life cycle assessment (LCA) , foresight analysis , and sustainability/resilience evaluation of grass biorefinery systems. Relevant fields include agricultural engineering , biosystems engineering , environmental science , and sustainability research . Applicants should hold a first or good 2:1 honours degree or an MSc in environmental science, engineering, agriculture, sustainability, or a related discipline. Experience with LCA or systems modelling is desirable. Funding includes a €25,000/year tax-exempt stipend and fees covered up to €6,000/year . The start date is 1 February 2027 . Deadline: 28 August 2026, 17:00 . Apply by email to [email protected] with the subject line PhD Application – Grass4Value .

Applications are open for a fully funded PhD scholarship in Sustainable Mushroom Production and Technology Adoption at the University of Galway in collaboration with Teagasc . The doctoral project, titled “Evaluating Technology Adoption for a Competitive, Sustainable and Resilient Mushroom Sector” , focuses on the intersection of agricultural sustainability , mushroom science , automation , artificial intelligence , life cycle assessment , and systems modelling . The research will examine how technology adoption can improve productivity, reduce environmental impacts, and strengthen the resilience of Ireland’s mushroom sector. The project is affiliated with the Ryan Institute and linked to the Walsh Scholars Programme . It will be based at Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre, Dublin , with travel to the University of Galway. The collaboration offers access to commercial-style mushroom production facilities and advanced glasshouse research infrastructure. Funding: stipend of €25,000 per year (tax-exempt), tuition fees up to €6,000 per year covered, for a 4-year PhD. Eligibility: applicants should hold a first-class or strong second-class honours degree (2:1 equivalent) or a relevant MSc in Environmental Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Sustainability Science, Mushroom Science, or a related discipline. Strong English communication skills are required, along with the ability to work independently and in a team. A full clean Irish, EU, or recognised foreign driving licence is also required, and candidates should be willing to visit mushroom farms and attend conferences. Deadline: 31 July 2026. How to apply: email your application to Professor David Styles and Dr Lael Walsh with the subject line “PhD Application – Walsh Scholars Reference: 2026041”. Include an academic CV with two referees and a 1–2 page personal statement explaining your interest and suitability.

Fully funded PhD opportunity in sustainable mushroom production , technology adoption , artificial intelligence , and automation at the University of Galway in collaboration with Teagasc (Ireland). The project is titled “Evaluating Technology Adoption for a Competitive, Sustainable and Resilient Mushroom Sector” and is linked to the Ryan Institute and the Teagasc Walsh Scholars Programme. The research will examine how robotic harvesting, AI vision systems, automated monitoring, and circular production methods can improve the competitiveness and resilience of the mushroom industry. The PhD researcher will be based at Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre in Dublin for the full four-year period, with academic registration at the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway. The work will involve collaboration with mushroom growers, technology developers, scientists, advisors, retailers, and policymakers. Research themes include life cycle cost analysis , life cycle assessment , environmental sustainability, peat replacement, circular use of agricultural by-products, workforce and supply-chain resilience, and the broader adoption of digital and automated technologies in agriculture. Funding is fully covered: a tax-exempt stipend of €25,000 per year plus university fee support up to €6,000 per year . The expected start date is 1 October 2026 . Eligibility highlights: applicants should have a first-class or strong 2:1 honours degree, or a relevant MSc, ideally in environmental science, engineering, agriculture, sustainability science, mushroom science, or a related field. Experience with LCA or systems modelling is desirable, along with strong English communication skills, teamwork, independence, willingness to travel to farms and conferences, and a valid driving licence. To apply, email your CV with two referees and a 1–2 page personal statement to the supervisors before the deadline of 24 July 2026 at 17:00 . Use the subject line: PhD Application – Walsh Scholars Reference: 2026041 .