Posted 26 June, 2026
PhD Studentship in Recycled Materials
University Vacancies Ireland
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Temporary
Reference: 981684059
Post Status: 4-year Fixed-term Contract, Full-time, Fully funded
Research Group / Department / School: Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
Location: Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
Reports to: Dr. Aimee Byrne
Terms & Conditions: The funding covers:
• €25,000 annual stipend
• Tuition fees
• Materials & lab consumables (including laptop)
• Conference travel
Excludes: contributions to health insurance, work permits or any relocation costs to move to Dublin.
Hours of Work: Full time (~ 38 hours/week) The student will also be given the opportunity to earn additional income through Tutorial or Lab Demonstrating
Closing Date: 12 Noon (GMT), 9th July 2026
Post Summary
We are seeking a motivated and talented researcher to join the Research Ireland PUreTex project, which examines the valorisation of waste textiles into high-value materials. The PhD researcher will work closely with the PUreTex team, which includes those from Engineering, Business, Psychology, Chemistry and Industry. The wider PUreTex project is looking at new ways to recycle post-consumer textile waste into useful building blocks for new, more sustainable 2 and circular, materials and products. The PhD student project will focus on the latter, taking these building blocks (chemicals, molecules and Polyurethane foams) and including them in material and component development and testing towards high-value products primarily for the construction sector, but with the possibility of other sectoral uses.
Activities: Some of the core PhD research activities will include (but not limited to)
• Investigating multiple material development routes from polyols and Polyurethane foams, including thermal or acoustic insulation, composites, cement or geopolymer based materials
• Performing laboratory thermal, moisture and strength tests following relevant European or National Standards (e.g. compression, thermal conductivity, water absorption)
• Investigating means of enhancing and optimising material or product performance, including working collaboratively with other disciplines on specific formulations that result in optimised behaviours in end-products.
• Analyse results and develop relationships using statistical methods and other analytical approaches such as finite element, and predictive techniques.
Qualifications
A 2.1 or higher BSc (Honours), or MSc, in an Engineering or Science Discipline that includes testing and analysis of materials, such as Material Science, Civil/Structural Engineering, Materials or Chemical Engineering, Polymer or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
Application Instructions
Please click on the Apply button below for the full job description and application instructions.
Apply
Research Group / Department / School: Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
Location: Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
Reports to: Dr. Aimee Byrne
Terms & Conditions: The funding covers:
• €25,000 annual stipend
• Tuition fees
• Materials & lab consumables (including laptop)
• Conference travel
Excludes: contributions to health insurance, work permits or any relocation costs to move to Dublin.
Hours of Work: Full time (~ 38 hours/week) The student will also be given the opportunity to earn additional income through Tutorial or Lab Demonstrating
Closing Date: 12 Noon (GMT), 9th July 2026
Post Summary
We are seeking a motivated and talented researcher to join the Research Ireland PUreTex project, which examines the valorisation of waste textiles into high-value materials. The PhD researcher will work closely with the PUreTex team, which includes those from Engineering, Business, Psychology, Chemistry and Industry. The wider PUreTex project is looking at new ways to recycle post-consumer textile waste into useful building blocks for new, more sustainable 2 and circular, materials and products. The PhD student project will focus on the latter, taking these building blocks (chemicals, molecules and Polyurethane foams) and including them in material and component development and testing towards high-value products primarily for the construction sector, but with the possibility of other sectoral uses.
Activities: Some of the core PhD research activities will include (but not limited to)
• Investigating multiple material development routes from polyols and Polyurethane foams, including thermal or acoustic insulation, composites, cement or geopolymer based materials
• Performing laboratory thermal, moisture and strength tests following relevant European or National Standards (e.g. compression, thermal conductivity, water absorption)
• Investigating means of enhancing and optimising material or product performance, including working collaboratively with other disciplines on specific formulations that result in optimised behaviours in end-products.
• Analyse results and develop relationships using statistical methods and other analytical approaches such as finite element, and predictive techniques.
Qualifications
A 2.1 or higher BSc (Honours), or MSc, in an Engineering or Science Discipline that includes testing and analysis of materials, such as Material Science, Civil/Structural Engineering, Materials or Chemical Engineering, Polymer or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
Application Instructions
Please click on the Apply button below for the full job description and application instructions.
Apply
