Are you passionate about environmental protection, hydrology, and sustainable agriculture? A fully funded PhD scholarship is now open for applications under the prestigious Teagasc Walsh Scholarship Programme 2025. This opportunity focuses on modelling nature-based solutions (NbS) to improve water quality in Ireland’s agricultural catchments, addressing the persistent challenge of diffuse agricultural pollution.
🌿 PhD in Water Quality and Nature-Based Solutions – Why It Matters
Ireland continues to face major water quality challenges, particularly due to agricultural diffuse pollution (ADP) involving phosphorus and suspended sediments. These pollutants spike during storm events, affecting the ecological health of rivers and lakes and hindering progress toward the EU Water Framework Directive’s “Good” status targets.
This innovative PhD project aims to refine predictive water quality models and evaluate nature-based interventions—such as buffer strips and constructed wetlands—to reduce pollution loads during storm and inter-storm periods.
🔬 Project Overview and Key Objectives
As a PhD candidate, you will:
- Evaluate and enhance current water quality models tailored to Irish agricultural systems.
- Leverage high-resolution data from the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP), which includes over 10 years of water quality and hydro-meteorological observations.
- Conduct fieldwork at a designated research site in County Wexford, using advanced instrumentation and monitoring techniques.
- Run realistic mitigation scenarios for nature-based solutions (NbS) to assess their impact on phosphorus and sediment reduction.
- Scale up successful strategies for broader application, informing both national water policy and sustainable farming practices.
This research builds upon the CRAFT catchment modelling platform, developed over two decades and now being upgraded to support this scholarship project.
🎓 PhD Scholarship Details (2025 Intake)
- Funding Amount: €31,000 per year (for up to 4 years)
- Includes tax-free stipend of €25,000/year
- Covers Trinity College Dublin tuition fees (up to €6,000/year)
- Start Date: September 2025
- University: Trinity College Dublin (TCD) – School of Natural Sciences (Geography)
- Research Base: Teagasc Johnstown Castle Research Centre
- Training: Access to state-of-the-art field sites, cutting-edge monitoring tools, and structured PhD support
✅ Who Should Apply? – Eligibility Criteria
This PhD position is ideal for graduates with a strong technical background, a passion for environmental sustainability, and a keen interest in field-based hydrological research.
Essential Qualifications:
- First-class or upper second-class honours degree (or MSc) in:
- Applied Mathematics
- Statistics
- Environmental Science
- Geography
- Geosciences
- Hydrology
- Engineering (or related fields)
- Proficiency in statistical computing and coding (R, Python, or C)
- Enthusiasm for fieldwork, sensors, and environmental modelling
- Fluent in English and holder of a full Irish/EU driving license
Desirable Skills:
- Experience in water quality monitoring or catchment modelling
- Understanding of diffuse pollution and hydrological systems
- Ability to work independently and clearly communicate scientific insights
📩 How to Apply – Application Guidelines
Deadline: July 30, 2025
Application Format: Submit all documents as a single PDF including:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Degree transcripts
- List of publications or conference presentations (if any)
- Motivation Letter (1–2 pages) explaining how your skills align with the project
- Contact details of two academic referees
Email your application to:
Professor Bourke
📧 bourkem4@tcd.ie
📌 Subject Line: PhD Application (Walsh) [Your Name]
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an online interview via Microsoft Teams, and final selection will proceed with formal PhD registration at Trinity College Dublin.
🌍 Why This PhD Matters for the Future of Water in Ireland
This isn’t just a doctoral project — it’s a chance to contribute to practical, science-backed solutions for cleaner rivers and lakes. As a PhD scholar, you’ll gain:
- Advanced skills in environmental modelling and field research
- First-hand experience in evidence-based water management
- A role in shaping Irish and EU water protection policy