Dearbháile Morris

Fully funded PhD scholarship at the University of Galway in the School of Medicine, starting in October 2026. This project investigates the role of surface waters in the farm and abattoir environment in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The PhD is part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine funded ADDRESS project (Antimicrobial resistance dynamics, evolution and emerging threats in the environment) and sits within a One Health research framework linking human, animal, and environmental health. The research will focus on: assessing surface waters in and around farm and abattoir settings for antimicrobial resistant bacteria relevant to animal and human health; evaluating relationships between resistant bacteria from different environmental niches; and optimising and evaluating rapid isothermal amplification tests for AMR on farms. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team and may collaborate with researchers at Maynooth University, Teagasc, and University College Dublin. The scholarship includes a tax-exempt living allowance of €25,000 per annum and covers university fees of €6,000 per annum. It is a four-year Structured PhD within the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Galway. Eligibility is aimed at strong candidates with a first- or second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in microbiology, molecular biology, or a closely related discipline; a master’s degree is also acceptable. Useful experience includes bacterial culture, water filtration, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, and bioinformatics. Applicants should have strong motivation, good organisational skills, excellent communication, and a very high level of English (IELTS 6.5 minimum for non-native speakers). The role also requires travel to farms and abattoirs for sampling and a full clean Irish/EU or recognised equivalent driving licence. To apply, candidates should email a CV with two referees and a motivation letter to the named supervisor by 5pm on 16 September 2026.