Frédérique Vallières

PhD opportunity at Trinity College Dublin in urban nature-based solutions, active travel, and children's health . This fully funded PhD studentship is part of the Trinity Research Doctorate Award 2026–2030 and the wider interdisciplinary project Implementing and Evaluating Nature-Based Solutions for Health in Children and Adolescents . The project focuses on adolescent-led and community-based co-design of nature-based solutions (NBS) in Finglas West, north Dublin, with an emphasis on making walking and cycling safer, greener, and healthier. The PhD student will work with young people and community partners to train child and adolescent co-researchers, map evidence and gaps in NBS interventions related to active travel, identify which NBS to co-develop, and help design and pilot an evaluation of the solution. The work sits across public health , environmental science , urban planning , civil engineering , education , and participatory research. Supervision is by Professor Brian Caulfield (School of Engineering), Dr Alina Cosma (School of Medicine), and Professor Frédérique Vallières (School of Psychology) at Trinity College Dublin. Funding includes full tuition coverage and a €25,000 per year tax-free stipend for 4 years. The successful applicant must be ready to commence in autumn 2026 . Eligibility highlights include a 2.1 or equivalent undergraduate degree in a relevant field, strong communication and collaboration skills, commitment to safeguarding and child protection, fluency in English, and willingness to spend at least 2 days per week on site in Finglas West during term time. A master's degree and prior experience in school/community research, participatory methods, or work with children and young people are desirable. Application deadline: 2026-07-05. Applicants should email a CV, cover letter, and one-page research proposal to Prof Brian Caulfield. The proposal should align with the existing project rather than propose a completely new study design. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed, and the successful applicant will then apply through the Trinity College Dublin PhD process.

Trinity Centre for Transport Research at Trinity College Dublin is recruiting a fully funded PhD student for an interdisciplinary project on urban nature-based solutions , active travel , public health , and environmental science . The project, Implementing and Evaluating Nature-Based Solutions for Health in Children and Adolescents , will evaluate an urban NBS intervention in Finglas West, north Dublin . The research focuses on active travel-oriented interventions such as greenways, safe walking and cycling infrastructure, urban greening, and connected public spaces, with the aim of improving environmental quality, physical activity, pollution exposure, and health outcomes for children and adolescents. The PhD uses community-based participatory and co-design approaches and will work in collaboration with the School Completion Programme . The successful candidate will join a team of three other PhD researchers and supervisors across multiple disciplines at Trinity College Dublin. Supervisors: Professor Brian Caulfield, Dr Alina Cosma, and Professor Frédérique Vallières. Funding: tuition fully covered plus a €25,000 per year tax-free stipend for 4 years. Eligibility: applicants should hold a 2.1 undergraduate degree or equivalent in public health, social sciences, education, youth work, community development, civil engineering, environmental science, transport planning, human geography, or a related field. Deadline: 5 July 2026, 12 noon GMT. Interested applicants should use the application link and follow the instructions on the vacancy page to submit their materials.