Research Ireland Pathways Doctoral Scholarship

Maynooth University’s Department of Chemistry is advertising a fully funded PhD position in the SUSAS group under the supervision of Sousa JavanNikkhah and co-supervision of Professor Carmel Breslin. The project is part of a Research Ireland-funded doctoral scholarship and starts in September 2026.

The research focuses on the experimental development of advanced polymer-hybrid anion-exchange membranes for electrochemical energy applications. Core research areas include membrane fabrication, porous materials, physicochemical characterisation, and electrochemical characterisation. The broader project also mentions membrane synthesis, surface processing, validation of computational predictions, and data-driven optimisation, with opportunities to work in a collaborative research team and contribute to publications and conference presentations.

Funding includes a €25,000 annual stipend, tuition fee support, and research/travel costs for up to 4 years. This is a PhD scholarship rather than a postdoctoral or master’s opening.

Eligibility highlights: applicants should have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Electrochemistry, Polymer Science, or a closely related field, with at least a First Class or high 2.1 equivalent. Relevant lab experience, numerical analysis, materials characterisation, and strong English communication/writing skills are expected. Desirable experience includes polymer synthesis, membrane fabrication, electrochemistry, impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, conductivity measurements, Python/MATLAB, machine learning, and research outputs.

Application deadline: 26 June 2026 at 5pm. Applicants should submit a single PDF including a personal statement, CV, short research proposal (up to 1000 words), transcripts, and two referees’ contact details. Applications are to be submitted directly to [email protected] and via the university application process/MUApply as instructed.