2 PhD Scholarships – Intelligent & Technology-Driven Solutions for Sustainable

This PhD studentship is part of the “Environmental Intelligence” project led by Dr Marguerite Nyhan and focuses on advancing the science and technology underpinning sustainable, healthy and liveable cities of the future. This frontier research project will employ largescale Information Communications Technologies (ICT) datasets, artificial intelligence, machine learning and statistical methods to quantify urban environmental metrics (e.g. air pollution and greenspace) and urban dynamics in unprecedented accuracy and scale in a number of case study cities. The project will then investigate human-environment interactions and analyse associations between urban environmental exposures and health impacts to inform urban design and environmental health policies. Dr. Marguerite Nyhan is an Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer in Environmental Engineering & Future Sustainability in the School of Engineering & Architecture at University College Cork (UCC). This research is funded by Science Foundation Ireland.

The Future Sustainability Research Group investigates and develops intelligent solutions for sustainable, net zero, healthy, liveable and equitable cities of the future. Led by Dr Marguerite Nyhan, the group employs state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies from a number of disciplines including engineering, computer science, urban planning, public health and sociology to achieve its vision. The Future Sustainability Research Group sits within the School of Engineering & Architecture, the Environmental Research Institute and the MaREI Centre at UCC.

As the challenges of urbanisation, environmental degradation and climate change are complex and multi-faceted, the Future Sustainability Research Group recognises that pathways towards a sustainable future will only be achieved by successfully harnessing emerging technologies including data analytics and artificial intelligence; by embracing complexity; by fostering a systems thinking approach and by engaging with people, policymakers and government. Its research falls under the themes of ‘Intelligent & Technology-Driven Solutions for Sustainable Future Cities’ and ‘Technology, Policy & Society’. See www.nyhanlab.org for more details.

• A first-class honours degree (or equivalent) in environmental engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, data science or a similar discipline
• Highly motivated, detail orientated and committed with a keen interest in creative and multidisciplinary research
• Some experience in data analytics, statistics, urban sustainability and environmental health is advantageous but not essential
• Some experience in sensor hardware development and/or smartphone application development is advantageous but not essential
• Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills
• A record of peer-reviewed journal publications is advantageous but not essential
• Applicants whose first language is not English must show evidence of English proficiency (e.g. IELTS minimum 6.5, individual sections 6.0), please check the requirements at: https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/

• A first-class honours degree (or equivalent) in electrical engineering, computer science, environmental engineering, data science or a similar discipline
• Highly motivated, detail orientated and committed with a keen interest in creative and multidisciplinary research
• Experience in sensor hardware development, deployment and programming
• Some experience in data analytics, statistics, urban sustainability and environmental health is advantageous but not essential
• Some experience in smartphone application development is advantageous but not essential Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills
• A record of peer-reviewed journal publications is advantageous but not essential
• Applicants whose first language is not English must show evidence of English proficiency (e.g. IELTS minimum 6.5, individual sections 6.0), please check the requirements at: https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/

This full-time PhD programme includes a stipend of €18,500 per annum plus tuition fees and is tenable for a maximum of 4 years. There is also funding for a laptop as well as research- and conference-related travel during the project.

MaREI is a key research centre within UCC’s Environmental Research Institute (ERI), which is an internationally recognised Institute for environmental research dedicated to the understanding and protection of our natural environment and to developing innovative technologies, tools and services to facilitate a transformation to a zero carbon and resource efficient society. The MaREI Centre is an SFI funded research centre headquartered in the ERI and includes 13 other Universities and Third Level Institutes from across Ireland, has 50 industrial partners and has accumulated research funding of approximately €60m. It combines the expertise of a wide range of research groups and industry partners, with the shared mission of solving the main scientific, technical and socio-economic challenges across the climate, energy and marine spaces.  MaREI is also funded by SEAI, EI, EPA, ERDF, EU, HEA, Marine Institute, DCCAE and IRC, as well as through contributions from our industry partners. Researchers in the MaREI Centre have over 30 years of experience in conducting fundamental and applied research supported by competitively won national and international funding, and commercial contracts with government agencies and industry. MaREI’s strengths lie in the multi-disciplinary nature of its research teams, allowing it to combine insights across areas such as MRE Technologies, Materials & Structures, Observations & Operations, Coastal & Marine Systems, Bioenergy, Energy Policy & Modelling and Renewable Energy Management