Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Marine (DAFM) Scholarship

This fully funded four-year PhD project, part of the ResilientForests initiative, focuses on elucidating the forest microbiome and its potential to control major fungal diseases in key tree species in Ireland. The project is a collaboration between South East Technological University (SETU), Teagasc Oakpark, UCD, and TUD, and is based at SETU Carlow. The research aims to advance tree improvement for biodiverse, climate-resilient, and productive forests by integrating beneficial microbes into forest establishment and disease management strategies.

Forest resilience is shaped by complex interactions between tree genetics, abiotic conditions, and microbial communities inhabiting the rhizosphere and endosphere. These plant–microbe relationships influence root development, nutrient acquisition, stress resilience, and defense against pathogens. Despite their importance, such interactions remain underexplored in Irish forestry systems. This project addresses the urgent need for nature-based, sustainable plant health solutions, aligning with the EU Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy, which target a 50% reduction in chemical pesticide use by 2030.

Building on previous Research Ireland-funded projects, including the ExAl project, ResForest_Micro will systematically characterize beneficial microbial consortia and develop practical bio-inoculant technologies for Irish forestry. The research will target pathogens of national concern, such as Phytophthora alni, Armillaria spp., Phytophthora ramorum, and Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Key objectives include characterizing root, rhizosphere, and endophytic microbiomes of broadleaved and conifer species, isolating and screening beneficial strains, developing bio-inocula to reduce seedling mortality, establishing a national microbial biobank, and providing practical guidance for integrating microbiome solutions into forest management.

The successful candidate will conduct full-time research over 48 months, leading to a PhD from SETU. Scholars are expected to publish in prestigious journals and will benefit from the expertise and resources of both SETU and Teagasc Oakpark. The project is supported by the Soil-Plant-Microbe Interactions Group and the enviroCORE department.

Funding: The scholarship, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Marine (DAFM), provides a stipend of €25,000 per annum and covers fees of €5,750 per annum for four years.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold a Level 8 degree (2nd class Honours or higher) in microbiology, bioscience, or molecular biology. A Master’s degree in a related field, experience in microbial/plant culture, DNA extraction, bioinformatics, and statistical analysis using R are desirable. Non-native English speakers must meet SETU’s English language requirements. Excellent communication, self-motivation, and teamwork skills are essential. A driver’s license and transport are desirable for fieldwork.

Application: Apply online via the SETU website, quoting the reference code SETU_2025_01_WSCH, and upload all supporting documents. The deadline is 30 April 2026 at 4pm Irish time. For informal queries, contact Dr Kieran Germaine at [email protected]. For application process queries, contact [email protected].