The MicroBiomica Lab at UCD is recruiting a PhD researcher as part of the DAFM-funded ADDRESS programme, with the project bringing together experimental laboratory research and computational approaches to investigate important questions surrounding antimicrobial resistance and previously underexplored microbial communities. Researchers interested in antimicrobial resistance, environmental metagenomics, microbiology, bioinformatics and microbial dark matter have an exciting opportunity to pursue a fully funded PhD at University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland. The position provides four years of full PhD funding, including a tax-free annual stipend of €25,000 and tuition fee support, and is open to both EU and non-EU applicants. The programme is scheduled to begin in January 2027, while the application deadline is 31 August 2026. What Will the UCD PhD Research Focus On? The PhD project will investigate the intersection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), environmental metagenomics and microbial dark matter. Rather than focusing exclusively on either laboratory or computational research, the project offers successful candidates the opportunity to experience the full research workflow. This includes work ranging from: Field sampling Culturomics Long-read sequencing Environmental metagenomics Bioinformatics Computational analysis Development of new computational tools This combination makes the opportunity particularly relevant for graduates interested in microbiology, genomics, computational biology, bioinformatics, antimicrobial resistance and environmental biotechnology. What Does the Fully Funded PhD Include? One of the strongest features of this opportunity is the comprehensive financial support available for the full four-year PhD. The successful candidate will receive: €25,000 annual stipend: The position provides a tax-free stipend of €25,000 per year. Full tuition fee support: Tuition fees will be covered for the four-year duration of the PhD. Four years of funding: The project is designed as a four-year fully funded doctoral position. Advanced research facilities: The successful candidate will have access to advanced sequencing technologies and high-performance computing facilities. Research collaboration: The project also offers opportunities for national and international collaboration. For prospective international students searching for a fully funded PhD in Ireland, these benefits can significantly reduce the financial barriers associated with doctoral study abroad. Who Can Apply? The PhD position is open to EU and non-EU applicants, making it potentially attractive to international researchers looking for funded doctoral opportunities in Ireland. However, prospective candidates should ensure that their academic and research background aligns with the requirements of the project. Applications will be assessed based on several factors, including: Academic achievement Research experience Motivation Scientific curiosity Independent thinking Alignment with the project objectives This means applicants should do more than simply demonstrate strong academic results. The application should clearly communicate their research interests, motivation and potential contribution to the project. Why Antimicrobial Resistance Research Matters Antimicrobial resistance is an important area of scientific research, particularly as researchers seek to better understand how resistance develops, spreads and persists across different environments. The UCD project approaches the subject through environmental metagenomics and microbial dark matter, creating an opportunity for a doctoral researcher to investigate microbial communities and develop computational approaches for analysing complex biological data. For candidates interested in the rapidly developing fields of genomics, microbiology and computational biology, the project could provide valuable interdisciplinary research experience. A PhD Combining Wet-Lab and Computational Research A major advantage of this PhD is its interdisciplinary structure. The project is not limited to computational analysis or traditional laboratory research. Instead, the successful researcher is expected to engage with different stages of the research process. The workflow can involve collecting environmental samples, applying culturomics approaches, generating sequencing data, analysing that data computationally and contributing to the development of new computational tools. This makes the opportunity particularly relevant for candidates who want to develop a research profile spanning wet-lab science and computational biology. Experience or interest in areas such as bioinformatics, microbial genomics, sequencing, metagenomics and computational tool development could therefore be valuable when preparing an application. What Applicants Need Before Applying Candidates should prepare their application materials in advance rather than waiting until the deadline. The application information specifies that applicants should have: A current CV, with a maximum of two pages recommended Details of academic qualifications Contact details for two academic or professional referees A brief statement explaining motivation, research interests and potential research ideas The motivation statement is particularly important because applicants are evaluated partly on their motivation, scientific curiosity, independent thinking and alignment with the project objectives. Applicants should therefore use the statement to demonstrate why the research area interests them and how their previous academic or research experience connects with the proposed PhD. Important Dates Prospective applicants should keep the following dates in mind: Application deadline: 31 August 2026 PhD start date: January 2027 Funding duration: Four years Annual stipend: €25,000 tax-free Tuition: Fully supported for four years Because the deadline is approaching, candidates should begin preparing their CV, referee information and motivation statement as early as possible. How to Strengthen a PhD Application A competitive application should present a clear connection between the applicant’s background and the research project. Candidates can strengthen their application by highlighting relevant research projects, laboratory experience, computational skills, programming or bioinformatics experience, scientific publications, dissertations, research methods and academic achievements where applicable. Applicants should also demonstrate curiosity. For a research-intensive PhD, showing that they understand the broader scientific problem and have thoughtful questions about the research area can help communicate genuine interest. The motivation statement should not simply repeat the CV. Instead, it should explain why this project, why this research area and why the applicant is well positioned to contribute. An Opportunity for Future Researchers in Genomics and AMR The UCD MicroBiomica Lab PhD offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of antimicrobial resistance, environmental metagenomics, microbial dark matter, sequencing and computational biology. With four years of full funding, a €25,000 annual tax-free stipend, tuition fee support, advanced research infrastructure and international collaboration opportunities, the position could be particularly attractive to researchers seeking a funded PhD in Ireland. Candidates who meet the academic expectations and have a strong interest in interdisciplinary microbiology and computational research should consider preparing their applications before the 31 August 2026 deadline. APPLY HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. Applicants should independently verify eligibility criteria, funding conditions, chapter-specific requirements and application procedures through the official University College Dublin (UCD) platform before applying. JOIN GSO WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW