The Marine Institute (Foras na Mara), Ireland’s national agency for marine research and development, announces openings under the prestigious Cullen Scholarship Programme 2026/27 for fully funded PhD and Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in quantitative fisheries science, marine oceanography, and aquatic ecosystem modeling.
About the Cullen Scholarship Programme
The Cullen Scholarship Programme honours the legacy of Dr. Anne Cullen and provides targeted research training to exceptional international and European scholars. Fellows are hosted collaboratively between the Marine Institute’s state-of-the-art marine research facility in Oranmore, Galway, and leading partner universities including the University of Galway, University College Cork (UCC), and Trinity College Dublin (TCD).
Key Research Areas & Priorities
- Quantitative Fisheries Stock Assessment: Development of advanced state-space stock assessment models (SAM, Stock Synthesis) for commercial fish stocks in the Celtic Sea, Irish Sea, and Porcupine Bank under ICES working groups.
- Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM): Parameterization and application of complex marine ecosystem models (Atlantis, Ecopath with Ecosim) to evaluate multi-species interactions, fleet dynamics, and marine trophic cascades.
- Climate Impacts on Marine Ecosystems: Investigating the consequences of ocean warming, marine heatwaves, and shifting biogeochemical fronts on pelagic fish spawning grounds (mackerel, blue whiting, boarfish) and demersal communities.
- Bycatch Reduction & Sustainable Gear Technology: Designing and field-testing smart, selective trawls and acoustic deterrent systems to reduce discards and mitigate protected species interactions.
- Oceanographic Observations & Surveys: Participating in scientific research expeditions aboard Ireland’s state-of-the-art research vessels, the RV Celtic Explorer and RV Tom Crean.
Funding & Financial Package
| Fellowship Level | Duration | Financial Support Package |
|---|---|---|
| PhD Research Fellowships | Up to 4 Years | Tax-free annual living stipend of €25,000 + full university tuition fees (EU/International) + €6,000 annual research operating, vessel time, and conference travel allowance. |
| Postdoctoral Fellowships | 2 to 3 Years | Competitive annual salary scale (€44,000 – €52,000 p.a.) in accordance with Irish University Association (IUA) salary scales, plus PRSI contributions, mobility allowance, and research funds. |
Eligibility Criteria
- For PhD Positions: A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent Master’s degree) in Marine Biology, Fisheries Science, Oceanography, Applied Mathematics, Computational Ecology, or related disciplines. Demonstrated aptitude in statistical programming (R, Python) is highly desirable.
- For Postdoctoral Positions: A completed PhD in quantitative fisheries, marine ecology, biological oceanography, or numerical ecosystem modeling, supported by high-impact peer-reviewed publications.
- Nationality: Open to candidates of all nationalities (Irish, EU/EEA, and international applicants).
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted jointly or in conjunction with designated academic supervisors through the Marine Institute Research Information Management System (RIMS) and partner university graduate portals. Candidates should prepare a detailed academic CV, statement of research purpose, certified academic transcripts, and contact details for three academic referees.
For project specifications, guidance notes, and institutional contact details, please visit the official Marine Institute website at marine.ie.