PhD in Multi-Trait Wood Quality Characterisation to Support Tree Breeding of Irish-Grown Softwoods and Hardwoods

The successful candidate will be supervised by TU Dublin Project Lead, Dr Sameer Mehra, at the Wood and Bio-based Materials Research Group (WBMRG), TU Dublin – City Campus and co-supervised by Dr Dheeraj Rathore, Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow. The candidate will collaborate with project partners on the ResilientForests Project: Advancing Tree Improvement Research for Climate-Resilient, Diverse, and Productive Forests for Ireland. Led by Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow, ResilientForests is a multi-institutional research project involving South East Technological University (SETU), University College Dublin, Technological University Dublin, and various industry partners. The ResilientForests project aims to strengthen Ireland’s forest sector by developing the science, strategies, and capacity to deliver climate-resilient, diverse, and productive forests. This PhD research forms part of Work Package 4, “ResFor_Quality,” focusing on multi-trait wood quality characterisation to support tree breeding. The project will develop practical tools for tree breeding, forest reproductive material (FRM) improvement, and wood quality evaluation to support long-term carbon storage by deploying high-quality timber genotypes. The PhD candidate will focus on the following key objectives: • Wood Quality Phenotyping: Characterise wood quality traits, including anatomical characteristics, density, mechanical properties (strength and stiffness), and chemical composition, in selected breeding populations of priority tree species using standardised sampling, testing, and analytical methods. • Genomic Analysis: Generate high-resolution wood property datasets and integrate them with existing genotypic data to enable advanced genomic analysis. • Trait Integration and Breeder Recommendation: Identify genetic markers associated with valuable timber traits and quantify genetic trade-offs between growth performance and wood quality, enabling early and balanced selection. The candidate will work closely with project partners and industry collaborators, offering excellent opportunities for applied research, training, industry engagement, and scientific dissemination.

Funding Status of the Project Fully Funded (scholarship, fees, materials) Funding Agency if available Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Thematic Research Call 2025 (Project Ref: 2025R_283) Student Stipend per annum € 25000 Materials & Travel Budget per annum Covered by the project funding Fees covered by the funding per annum EU tuition fees will be covered by the project Duration of Funding 48 months Application Closing Date: August 14th, 2026

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15. Student Requirements for this Project Essential requirements/ Qualifications • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (minimum 2.1 grade or equivalent) in forestry, forest biology and tree improvement, forest products and utilisation, forest engineering, plant breeding, plant biotechnology, wood science and engineering or a closely related discipline. • Valid authorisation to reside, work, and travel freely within the European Union for the project’s duration. • Fluency in English, with excellent report-writing and oral presentation skills. • Strong organisational, time-management, and prioritisation abilities. • The capacity to work independently and collaboratively within a team. • Proficiency in IT and professional social networking. • Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Desirable requirements/ Qualifications • Demonstrated interest in wood quality, tree breeding, forestry, plant genetics, or related bio-based material research. • Experience with experimental design, data management, and statistical analysis. • Familiarity with analysing multivariate or materials-related datasets. • Experience in laboratory, workshop, or field research environments. • Evidence of strong written and verbal communication skills. • Motivation to engage with academic, industry, and project partners across a collaborative research environment. • A full, clean Irish/European Union driving license. The candidate must be self-motivated and willing to acquire the broader skills necessary for the successful completion of a PhD. If either English or Irish is not the applicant’s first language, evidence of English language proficiency is required for registration. Please refer to the web link English Language Requirements | Technological University Dublin to view the minimum English language proficiency standards for entry to TU Dublin. Project Start Date: September 1st, 2026 Application Closing Date: August 14th, 2026 Applicants should submit: • A Curriculum Vitae (maximum 4 pages, including 2 referees). • A copy of academic transcripts. • A Personal Statement (maximum 1 page) outlining: o How you meet the position’s requirements. o Why you wish to pursue this PhD research program. Applications must be submitted to [email protected] (Subject line: “Application to ResilientForests_PhD 1 – [Your Name]”). Note: Applications missing this exact subject line may not be recorded. Please ensure all documents are attached as a single Word or PDF file.