PhD Project: Partnership for Evidence and Action on Clean Air (PEACE-Air)

The Partnership for Evidence and Action on Clean Air project is a pioneering cross-border project aimed at improving air quality across the island of Ireland (peace-air.eu/).

The PEACE-air project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)

The successful candidate will work on work packages 3 and 4 of PEACE-Air.

WP3’s objectives are to assess current and future monitoring capabilities for ambient ammonia in Ireland. Creation of a data observatory of existing agricultural emissions & N deposition data. On-location monitoring of atmospheric pollutants using state-of-the-art instrumentation, will assess the contribution of ammonia to secondary PM production & use the data to contribute to improved all-island air pollution models.

WP4 is a cross-cutting work-package, to ensure consistency and to maximise the benefits of themes which are common across the three main Work Packages of Solid fuel usage, transport-relation air pollution, and farming emissions. Stakeholder mapping, supported by socio- demographic and environmental studies, informs best practice guidance directly into WP actions.

Role and Responsibilities

Comply with all requirements of TU Dublin to satisfactorily complete PhD by research.

Engage in seasonal agricultural air quality measurement campaigns using mobile and fixed stations.

Deploy and operate real-time and offline instruments including online particle and gas mass spectrometers, ammonia sensors, particle sizers, carbonaceous aerosol system.

Undertake chemical and physical characterisation of PM2.5 and PM10 samples.

Integrate trace gas and aerosol data with meteorological variables to assess emission patterns.

Analyse data using coding platforms and contribute to source apportionment and air quality modelling.

Contribute to GIS-based hotspot mapping and emission modelling.

Present research findings at national and international conferences.

Contribute to stakeholder engagement activities.

Through WP4 work with all WPs on appropriate cross-cutting activities

Contribute to project meeting and reporting.

Write peer-reviewed publications and contribute to technical and policy reports.

Student Requirements for this Project Essential Requirements:

• Honours Bachelor’s degree (First or Upper Second Class Honours) in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Physics, Atmospheric Science, Environmental Engineering, or related discipline.

• A knowledge of air quality with experience in field-based environmental sampling or analytical instrumentation.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work independently and to solve problems in a team setting.

• As it is essential to complete research activities in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland the successful candidate must be entitled to travel to and undertake research activities in both jurisdictions.

• The minimum level required for research programmes in TU Dublin is International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.0, or equivalent, for the overall average score and a score not lower than 5.5 in each category.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.

• Competence in data handling and analysis using R, Python, or MATLAB.

• Experience with atmospheric dispersion or receptor modelling.

• Familiarity with GIS software and spatial analysis.

• Background in aerosol chemistry or trace gas analysis.

• Clean driving licence.

www.tudublin.ie/explore/faculties-and-schools/sciences-health/school-chemical-biopharmaceutical-sciences/

Funding Agency: SEUPB Student Stipend per annum: € 25,750 Materials & Travel Budget per annum: € N/A Fees covered by the funding per annum: € 5500 Duration of Funding: 48 months Deadline to submit an application: 28th February 2026

If you are interested in submitting an application for this project, please complete an Expression of Interest. forms.office.com/e/0hCcrv2Gkp