[ABE-L] PhD positions in Statistics (4-years full-time, fully-funded) in statistical modelling applications in agriculture at either University College Dublin or the University of Limerick, Ireland.

[James.A.Sweeney]

Title: PhD positions in Statistics (4-years full-time, fully-funded) in statistical modelling applications in agriculture at either University College Dublin or the University of Limerick, Ireland.

Project supervisors: Prof. Brendan Murphy, (University College Dublin), Prof. Claire Gormley (University College Dublin), Prof. James Sweeney (University of Limerick)

Project locations: School of Mathematics and Statistics, University College Dublin & Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick

Application deadline: Sunday 29th March 2026, 5pm (Irish time). (Interviews are provisionally scheduled to be held the week beginning Monday April 13th.)

Start date: September 2026 (at the latest).

Context:
The Research Ireland VistaMilk Research Centre (www.vistamilk.ie) is a unique collaboration between agri-food and information communications technology (ICT) research institutes and leading Irish/multinational food and ICT companies. The VistaMilk Research Centre consists of a diverse group of interdisciplinary researchers with skillsets in data science, agriculture, food, sensing, communications and social and behavioural sciences.

Overview of the Potential PhD topics are:

Project A: Development of innovative statistical and chemometric methods and tools for application to Agri-Food infrared spectrometry data for the prediction of traits and outcomes across platforms and the soil to society pathway. (UCD)
Spectroscopic data is routinely collected across the agri-food pipeline and used for the measurement of compositional traits, typically only utilising a portion of the samples unique spectral “fingerprint” or ignoring inherent relationships in the data. There exists significant potential and capability to further understand factors affecting, and outcomes affected by, spectra with potential for deployment of models and tools across the supply chain.

Project B: Development of spatio-temporal statistical models for water pollution monitoring on river networks. (UL)

Data on water quality (nitrates/phosphates) in river networks is typically sparsely collected from both temporal and spatial perspectives due to the cost constraints involved in collecting and analysing the data. However, there is significant potential to improve our understanding of water quality at unobserved locations on a river network through the exploration of factors associated with water quality, such as: (a) agricultural land use, (b) weather variables such as rainfall, which impact water levels and dilute pollution, and (c) borrowing information spatially and temporally across sampled sites through the development of spatio-temporal models that propagate information across the river network. The project has the potential to contribute strongly to policy both nationally and internationally under the EU Water Framework Directive.

Requirements: Applicants should have (or expect to attain prior to project start) at least a 2.1 honours degree or equivalent in the areas of mathematics, applied mathematics or statistics. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in statistical modelling and have some experience with statistical computing through e.g., R, python, C. Applicants must have strong communication skills, both written and oral. Experience, or interest, in probabilistic models, Bayesian inference and/or statistical computing would be beneficial.

Applicants for whom English is a second language will be required to demonstrate their competence in the English language in line with University College Dublin and the University of Limerick requirements as appropriate.

Funding notes: Stipend of €25,000 per year for four years (tax free) with additional funds for conference travel and a laptop. Fees for Home/EU students will be covered automatically, while non-EU students will receive a fee waiver from the respective university.

Application: Applicants should apply using either or both of the forms below. Applicants who wish to be considered for both the UCD and UL positions must apply through both forms. Applications submitted by email will not be considered. An application should include a 2-page CV and a short cover letter (2-pages max) indicating how the applicant’s skills align with the research project and their motivation for applying. The application CV should, at minimum, include the applicant’s name, educational institution, qualification stating overall grade/percentage (predicted grades are acceptable for those still studying) and contact details of two academic referees. Supporting documentation such as official transcripts (where relevant) are also required.

Informal queries can be made to: brendan.murphy em ucd.ie<mailto:brendan.murphy em ucd.ie>, claire.gormley em ucd.ie<mailto:claire.gormley em ucd.ie> and/or james.a.sweeney em ul.ie<mailto:james.a.sweeney em ul.ie>. Please include “PhD Query” followed by your name in the subject line.

If your primary interest is in VistaMilk em UCD please apply here<https://forms.gle/qzpYFzaWKNj2z52dA>.

If your primary interest is in VistaMilk em UL please apply here.<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNEkXu10p_vCJmYgbIUHg_x5HyaEbZ6q3vMoMWLc9lpcPxjg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114460302288619363049>

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