Current Scholarship Opportunities

Project Title: LivePlatforms: Livelihoods in the Platform Economy Ecosystem

University: University College Dublin

School: Information and Communications Studies (ICS)

Supervisor: (opens in a new window)Prof. Kylie Jarrett ((opens in a new window)kylie.jarrett1@ucd.ie)

Starting date: 1 September, 2026

Deadline for application: 19 January, 2026

Position: 100%, full-time position

Remuneration: PhD studentship for up to four years consisting of:

• PhD student stipend of €27k per annum (tax free)
• Fees will be waived
• Equipment and travel funding will be available from the LivePlatforms project.

Eligibility: EU and non-EU students are equally eligible for studentships under this award
Requirement: Students accepted under this scheme must meet the University entry standards.

Description of the Post

The School of Information and Communication Studies (ICS) at University College Dublin (UCD) is inviting applications for one fully funded PhD scholarship under the supervision of Prof. Kylie Jarrett to be involved in the LivePlatforms: Livelihoods in the Platform Economy Ecosystem project funded by the ERC Advanced Grant.

The successful candidate will be interested in researching the actors involved in how people make livelihoods in one of the following forms of income-generating activity in the platform economy in Ireland: location-based work (e.g. delivery riding, care work, home help); online work (e.g. clickwork, freelance coding or design…); online creation (e.g. streaming, influencers…); platform trading (e.g. online retail, reselling…). The candidate is encouraged to identify a research project focussed on Irish workers involved in at least one of these 4 forms of work (e.g. a study of vintage resellers; a study of home help workers; a study of clickworkers…) that will advance the research project.

The project will initially use biographical or life-story interview methods to gather data on workers’ labour and life histories, adding in additional methods as required and later engaging in critical appraisal of the actors identified through these initial processes.

The successful candidate will contribute to the data collection and analysis of the LivePlaforms team, working also to develop a set of data collection, analytical, and critical methodologies to identify and analyse the actors involved in how people make livelihoods in the platform economy across the Irish national context.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Prof. Kylie Jarrett, and will contribute to the €2.5 million ERC funded project LivePlatforms. The successful candidate will be encouraged to draw upon the interdisciplinary research and expertise within ICS to identify new and innovative methods and techniques to complete their PhD.

Responsibilities

The post-holder will be expected to write and successfully defend a PhD thesis focused on the areas listed in the description of the post and meet the degree requirements set by UCD to advance through the PhD programme.

The candidate is also expected to produce research outputs in relation to their doctoral research and attend conferences to disseminate the research findings. The post-holder will collaborate closely with their supervisor to produce outputs on their combined research areas. The candidate will ideally produce single-, first-, and co-authored research by the end of the post.

The candidate is expected to take part in seminars, workshops, and events organised within ICS and across UCD that are relevant to the project. The post-holder will be expected to contribute to the intellectual life in ICS and UCD and participate in research activities to the level and extent of their qualifications.

The candidate will also be expected to complete a total of 30 ECTS credits spread across the post as part of the university’s structured PhD path.

Finally, the candidate will engage in teaching and tutor training during their studies as part of their professionalisation.

Role profile

The successful candidate should have a background in Media or Communication Studies, Cultural Studies, Sociology, Geography, Anthropology or other cognate areas.

Candidates are expected to be familiar with and/or be proficient in qualitative methodologies including, but not limited to, ethnographic methods, interviews, discourse and policy analysis. The candidate should also demonstrate that they are willing to learn new methods, techniques, tools, and technologies as necessary to undertake research related to this PhD.

Post Requirements

A strong written command of English is required. English proficiency at the C2 or C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is advised.

Candidates are expected to hold a strong Masters degree of 2:1 and above (or equivalent GPA) in Media and Communications, Geography, Sociology, Anthropology or other relevant subject areas.

Candidates should be methodical, rigorous, analytical and have a strong attention to detail. They should be capable of working independently, while also making contributions to the related projects, ICS (https://www.ucd.ie/ics/), and UCD.

The candidate should be able to demonstrate exceptional organisational experience and skills.

Preference will be given to candidates who:

• Can demonstrate experience and skills that align with the project research focus
• Are familiar with some of the main literature related to platform work
• Have prior experience with ethnographic research methods

Applications are open to students of all nationalities and backgrounds. Women and people of colour are especially encouraged to apply.

Enquiries
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Prof. Jarrett to discuss the nature of the LivePlatforms project before submitting a formal application - (opens in a new window)kylie.jarrett1@ucd.ie

How to Apply

Applicants should send copies of the following to:

(opens in a new window)kylie.jarrett1@ucd.ie

Cc. (opens in a new window)ics@ucd.ie

1. A one-page cover letter describing how you meet the mandatory/desired requirements.
2. A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) including education history, research projects/publications and other relevant information.
3. A one or two page outline of a proposed research topic based on one of the four general research areas above, and demonstrating existing understanding of key concerns related to this kind of income generating activity through platforms.
4. Short sample of academic writing.

The submission deadline is January 19, 2026.

Applications will be reviewed through our system of open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment of researchers. Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview for the position, which will be held online. Candidates will be given at least five days’ notice if selected to interview.

The successful applicant will then need to apply through UCD’s graduate research application portal.

Project Title: Seasonal and spatial patterns of badger diet through stable isotope analysis

Applications are invited for a fully funded 4-year PhD student, based in the School of Agriculture and Food Science in UCD, to start January or May 2026.

Project background

This PhD project forms part of a wider collaborative effort to better understand the ecology of badgers (Meles meles) in Ireland and support bovine tuberculosis (bTB) eradication. The research is a joint initiative between UCD’s Schools of Agriculture and Food Science, and Biology and Environmental Science, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Ongoing work includes large-scale GPS tracking of badger movements and camera-trap studies estimating local population densities. This PhD will complement these projects by examining badger diet across different population densities, using stable isotope analysis of inert tissues (e.g., whiskers). Combining dietary data with movement patterns and density estimates will provide new insights into how badgers use various habitats in rural Ireland.

Badgers are both wildlife reservoirs of bTB and keystone species in the ecosystem. Understanding their diet offers a non-invasive means to explore how and when they interact with agricultural areas, helping identify times and places where farm incursions are more likely. The project will also address broader ecological questions, such as seasonal and density-dependent variation in diet.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop advanced laboratory skills, contribute to wildlife ecology research, and play a role in Ireland’s national bTB eradication effort.

The project goals may include, but are not limited to:

1. Studying spatial, temporal, and individual differences in badger diet across Ireland
2. Understanding the effects, if any, of local badger density and group size on individual diet.
3. Analysing the effects of the different management options (culling and vaccination) on badgers’ diet

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology, ecology, or other relevant
  discipline.
• Have strong, demonstrable quantitative background
• Have experience working with R
• Be proficient in English (English language requirements).
• Have full-time availability

What we offer

• A yearly stipend of €25,000 (tax-free).
• Tuition fees covered at both EU and non-EU rates.
• An annual research budget covering lab and research expenses, and a conference and travel stipend of 2,000 per annum.

Application

Applications should be sent by 14th of December 2025 (23:59 Dublin time) following (opens in a new window)this link and include the following documents in PDF format:

• CV or resume
• A one-page cover letter outlining your motivation for applying to the PhD programme and the specific topic area
• Copies of all academic transcripts (if you are currently enrolled in a master’s programme and have not yet received your final results, please include all transcripts to date)
• The names and contact details of two academic referees

Please send all inquiries – about the application process, the project, the school, UCD, Dublin, or anything else you’re interested in knowing more about – by email to (opens in a new window)Dr. Virginia Morera-Pujol ((opens in a new window)virginia.morera-pujol@ucd.ie).

UCD Ad Astra Doctoral Scholarship - Online Food Shopping Systems

Deadline: Sunday, 14th of December 2025 (23:59 Dublin time)

This four-year PhD program offers an exceptional opportunity to undertake innovative research examining how online food shopping behaviors can contribute to addressing global health and environmental challenges.

Potential areas of investigation include, but are not limited to, consumer behavior, food purchasing patterns, psychological determinants of food choice, and data science approaches. Proposed projects may adopt diverse disciplinary or theoretical frameworks; however, they should incorporate a substantial empirical component or case study.

UCD, School of Agriculture and Food Science, Agribusiness and Rural Development section.

The agribusiness and rural development section encompasses the disciplines of agribusiness and farm management, agricultural economics and marketing, rural development, communications, extension and innovation and humanitarian action.

The main objectives of the Agribusiness and Rural Development group are to advance sustainability and competitiveness of the agri-food system, to enable sustainable rural livelihoods and to provide evidence-based analyses of policies and programmes that impact on the agri-food sector and rural communities. Common and cross-cutting themes within the section include sustainability, innovation, climate change, community development, knowledge exchange and food policy, which are addressed using a wide range of research methods.

Research areas include:

• Agricultural Economics and Food Business
• Agricultural Extension
• Rural Development
• Humanitarian Action

The successful candidate will undertake a PhD at the Agri Business and Rural Development section of the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science under the supervision of (opens in a new window)Dr Vilma Xhakollari and co-supervision of (opens in a new window)Dr Tomás Russell, starting in May 2026. Please be advised that, for the suitable candidate, the start date is flexible and may be deferred until September 2026.

Your profile:

• First or upper second-class honours primary degree (or equivalent) in disciplines like agricultural economics, agricultural extension, food science, business, computer science or other related disciplines.
• Strong interest in marketing, psychology, new technologies and decision making.
• Proficient in English (English language requirements).

What we offer:

• A yearly stipend of €25,000.
• Tuition fees covered at both EU and non-EU rates.
• An annual research budget of up to €4,000 may be available, subject to the Principal Investigator’s allocation, to support research-related activities such as data collection, conference participation, and other scholarly pursuits.

The scholarship is tenable for a maximum of four years, renewable each year subject to satisfactory progress. The scholarship is available on a full-time basis only.

Application process:

Applications should be sent by 14th of December 2025 (23:59 Dublin time) following the (opens in a new window)link and include the following documents in PDF format:

• CV or résumé
• A one-page cover letter outlining your motivation for applying to the PhD programme and the specific topic area
• Copies of all academic transcripts (if you are currently enrolled in a master’s programme and have not yet received your final results, please include all transcripts to date)
• The names and contact details of two academic referees

The submission of original academic transcripts and other documentation will be required as a condition of the final award of a place on the program.

At later stages of your recruitment process you may be required to prepare a short presentation and conduct a personal or online interview as part of the application process.

Specific questions concerning the doctoral scholarship and application process can be addressed to Dr Vilma Xhakollari ((opens in a new window)vilma.xhakollari@ucd.ie).

AI and Heritage Futures: Preservation, Creation and Regulation of Evolutionary Heritage from Digitalised to Born-digital

University: University College Dublin

School: Information and Communications Studies (ICS)

Supervisor: (opens in a new window)Dr. Sun Park

Starting date: 18^th of May 2026

Deadline for application: 31^st of January 2026

Interviews with short-listed candidates: 19^th and 20^th of February 2026 (online).

Position: 100%, full-time position, tuition fees waived by the School of Information and Communication Studies (ICS).

Remuneration: PhD studentship renewable for up to four years and consisting of:

• PhD student stipend of €25k per annum, research costs of €4k per annum (tax free)
• Prioritisation as a scholarship student when applying for travel funding and research expenses from the School of Information and Communication Studies.

Eligibility: EU and non-EU students are equally eligible for studentships under this award
Requirement: Students accepted under this scheme must meet the university entry standards.

Description of the Post

Heritage refers to objects and knowledge that are important to a human group and should be preserved as collective assets in human history. The significance of heritage derives from its informative nature that conveys factual data of cultural objects as well as normative and interpretative narratives of human identities. As tools and technologies used to create cultural artefacts and their associated knowledge have evolved, the forms of heritage have been gradually transformed from tangible archaeological sites to digital twins to born-digital content, as exemplified by AI-generated works. The evolutionary history of heritage reveals that some human roles in heritage are being delegated to AI as a non-human entity.

In response to the transformative impacts of AI on the heritage sector and the following needs for computational and philosophical discourses on heritage futures, the School of Information and Communication Studies (ICS) at University College Dublin (UCD) is inviting one fully-funded PhD scholarship under the supervision of (opens in a new window)Dr. Sun Park. The successful candidate will be interested in either creating (an) AI-generated work(s) to preserve particular heritage or examining heritage values of (an) AI-generated work(s), both of which address digitalised and/or born-digital heritage. The candidate will complete a project of their own design with the suggested topics including but not limited to:

• AI technologies for digitalised heritage: This topic focuses on how to deploy AI technologies to digitalise existing heritage to preserve its integrity and authenticity. Candidates interested in this topic are expected to select one or more of AI technologies (e.g., Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Data Visualisation, etc.) to digitalise a particular heritage case (e.g., an archaeological site, artefact, intangible tradition, ritual knowledge, documents, etc.). The digitalisation of heritage would have one or diverse forms such as a digital twin, an information system, Heritage Building Information Modelling, etc. Candidates are expected to collect their own datasets to digitalise the chosen heritage case using AI programmes. A project under this topic includes exploring the limitations of current digitalisation methods, experimenting with new ways of engaging in historical and cultural (meta)data of heritage. Candidates pursing this topic or a similar one would possess strong technical and programming skills with a background in Computer Science, Information Science and Human-Computer/AI Interaction.
• AI-generated works as born-digital heritage: This topic centres on exploring heritage values embedded in AI-generated works. Building on the concept of the born-digital that has no other format but the digital object or programme, candidates interested in this topic are expected to examine technological, social and cultural values embedded in (an) AI-generated work(s). Candidates pursuing this topic or a similar one would possess a mixture of quantitative (not mandatory) and qualitative analysis skills with a background in Information Science,Human-Computer/AI Interaction, Anthropology, Heritage Studies,Sociology, Media Studies and relevant fields.
• AI-Heritage policy: This topic concentrates on aligning emerging AI policy with existing heritage policy. Candidates interested in this topic are expected to select particular policy cases from the AI and heritage fields, exploring possible policy actions to address AI-generated works in the heritage and GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) sector. This includes analysing incompatibilities between the AI and cultural policy sectors, developing legal and/or societal recommendations to counter it. Candidates pursuing this or a similar topic would possess a mixture of quantitative (not mandatory) and qualitative analysis skills with a background in Public Policy, Politics and International Relations, Law, GLAM Studies and relevant fields.

Candidates are also encouraged to build upon or modify one or more of these topics, or to propose their own PhD topic that addresses interdisciplinary applications and/or impacts of AI in the heritage sector. The candidate should also demonstrate their willingness to learn new methods, techniques, tools, and technologies as necessary to undertake research related to this PhD. Computational/quantitative projects, social science/qualitative topics and their interdisciplinary mixtures will be equally considered during the application review process. Applications will be reviewed through our system of open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment of researchers. Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview for the position, which will be held online.

Responsibilities

The post-holder will be expected to write and successfully defend a PhD thesis focused on the areas listed in the description of the post and meet the degree requirements set by UCD to advance through the PhD programme. The post-holder will collaborate closely with their supervisor to produce outputs on their combined research areas. The candidate is expected to take part in seminars, workshops, and events organised within ICS and across UCD that are relevant to the project. The candidate will also be expected to complete a total of 30 ECTS credits spread across the post as part of the university’s structured PhD path. Finally, the candidate will engage in teaching and tutor training during their studies.

Role profile

• For PhDs with a heavy technical focus, candidates are expected to have a strong technical background with good knowledge of programming. They should have experience of or must be willing to learn quantitative research methods and data analysis techniques. Candidates are also expected to engage with digital cultural heritage studies from (a) Social Science perspective(s), formulating their project domiciled in the College of Social Sciences. A project outline should be interdisciplinary, incorporating some qualitative research methods including but not limited to ethnographic research, discourse analysis and stakeholder analysis.
• For PhDs requiring a balance of technical and non-technical skills, programming or quantitative research experience is not a requirement. The successful candidate must be willing to learn necessary technical skills and quantitative methods as their project develops if required. Candidates must have or be willing to learn qualitative research methods.
• For PhDs which mostly have a non-technical focus, candidates are expected to be familiar with and/or be proficient in qualitative research methods including but not limited to, site-specific fieldwork, case-study, ethnographic and desk research, discourse, policy analysis and stakeholder analysis.

Post Requirements

Strong command of English is required. English proficiency at the C2 or C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is advised. Candidates are expected to hold a Master’s degree of 2:1 and above (or equivalent GPA) in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Science, Digital Humanities, Heritage Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Public/Cultural Policy, Law or a related field. The candidate should be able to demonstrate exceptional organisational experience and skills. Applications are open to students of all nationalities and backgrounds. Women and people of colour are especially encouraged to apply.

Research Area of Supervisor

Dr. Sun Park is an Ad Astra Fellow and Assistant Professor in AI and Digital Cultural Heritage in the School of Information and Communication Studies at UCD. Her research revolves around the value of AI-generated works as digital heritage, interdisciplinary AI policy development and human-AI interaction in art creation. She has published articles and conference papers on UNESCO’s cultural (heritage) policy, AI ethics and AI-generated art. Dr. Park has worked at UNESCO, the Korean National Commission for UNESCO and the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding under the auspices of UNESCO.

How to Apply

Each application should consist of:

1. A curriculum vitae including education history, programming skills (if applicable), research projects/publications, contacts of two academic referees and other relevant information;
2. A cover letter (max 1,000 words) providing an explanation of your interest in the research to be conducted and why you believe you are suitable for the position;
3. A brief PhD project outline (max 1,500 words) including a proposed research topic, research questions, research aims, methodology, methods, expected outcome and why you believe your research is important and feasible;
4. Scanned copies of relevant academic transcripts;
5. English Language Proficiency for non-native English speakers, in line with UCD requirements
   (https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/policiesandgeneralregulations/generalrequirements/minimumenglishlanguagerequirements/).

Applications need to be submitted via UCD’s application portal (a €70 application fee applies):https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/graduateapplicants/applying/

The candidate should apply to Programme Code W139 using the UCD Admissions online application portal. Please see the main ICS and UCD Graduate Studies sites for detailed application requirements:

https://www.ucd.ie/ics/study/phdresearchprogrammes/ andhttps://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/studywithus/applicationprocess/

For any questions related to this post, please contact (opens in a new window)Dr. Sun Park at (opens in a new window)sun.park@ucd.ie