PhD Position: Microbial Ecology of Anaerobic Digestion Systems Treating Manure and Grass Silage

Trinity is Ireland’s leading university and is ranked 87th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025). Founded in 1592, the University is steeped in history with a reputation for excellence in education, research, and innovation, which has been inspiring generations of thinkers for over 400 years.

NOTE: Applicants must have been resident in an EU member state for 3 out of the last 5 years to be eligible for EU fees

The Department of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering at Trinity College Dublin is seeking applications for a PhD studentship starting in October 2025. The research will focus on the microbial ecology of anaerobic digesters treating a mixture of manure and grass silage as feedstock.

The successful candidate will conduct advanced microbiological analyses of full-scale AD systems at the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research Centre in Grange, Co. Meath. The research will leverage state-of-the-art metatranscriptomics, carbon stable isotope probing, and microsensor profiling to understand microbial interactions and optimize biogas production.

This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary team under the supervision of Professor Muhammad Ali (TCD) and Dr. Ciara Beausang (Teagasc), with co-supervision by international experts in environmental microbiology and bioengineering.

Please find full job description and application procedure below

Application Procedure:

Interested candidates are invited to complete the application form available at this link:.https://forms.office.com/e/wKSZv0uuuD. Additional documents or information may be requested as needed. The deadline for submission is Friday, 18 April, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

For any inquiries regarding this position, please contact Professor Muhammad Ali at  

or Dr. Ciara Beausang at  

, mentioning the PhD position title

in the subject line.:-

At Trinity, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Trinity welcomes applications from all individuals, including those applicants with disabilities, those who may have had non-traditional career paths, those who have taken time out for reasons including family or caring responsibilities. We also welcome international applicants including those who have been displaced due to war.

Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s premier University. We are an EU Sustainable Gender Equality Champion and we hold an Athena Swan Silver award, recognising our ongoing work to advance gender equality both within Trinity and in the Higher Education sector. Trinity is committed to supporting work-life balance and to creating a family-friendly working environment.