The Cullen PhD Scholarships will be managed by the Marine Institute and financed through the Marine Research Programme, receiving backing from the Irish Government.

The successful candidate will hold an Honours Degree (minimum 2:2, but 2:1 or higher is desirable) in a cognate discipline (Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Marine Biology, Veterinary Medicine, Zoology, or a related discipline).

One of the main objectives of this project will be the development of an effective vaccine for the protection of
salmon from SRS infection. Vaccine development will be accomplished using a reverse vaccinology (RV) approach, using computational methods to screen bacterial genomes in public databases to identify antigens for use in the SRS vaccine.

Brief Description

• University or Organization: Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in collaboration with the Marine and Freshwater Research Centre and the Marine Institute.
• Department: NA
• Course Level: PhD (Postgraduate Research Opportunity).
• Award: The Cullen Scholarship (Grant-Aid Agreement No. CS/23/002) covering a stipend of €25,000 per annum and postgraduate fees for EU students.
• Access Mode: Online.
• Number of Awards: Not specified.
• Nationality: Open to candidates from both EU and non-EU countries.
• The award can be taken in Ireland

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: Open to all nationalities.
• Acceptable Course or Subjects: Any subject offered by the university.
• Admissible Criteria: Applicants must hold an Honors Degree in a cognate discipline (Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Marine Biology, Veterinary Medicine, Zoology, or a related discipline). Experience in microbiology and molecular biology techniques is advantageous, and knowledge of bacterial genome databases and the salmon aquaculture industry is desirable. Proficiency in English is required.

How to Apply

• How to Apply: Submit applications to [email protected].
• Supporting Documents:
  • Curriculum Vitae (including contacts details of 2 referees).
  • Copy of transcript of results.
  • Personal Statement (not exceeding 2 pages) addressing how you meet the position requirements and why you want to pursue this PhD research project.
• Admission Requirements: Honors Degree in a relevant discipline.
• Language Requirement: Proficiency in English is required.

Benefits

• Project Duration: 48 months.
• Stipend: €25,000 per annum.
• Postgraduate fees for EU students covered.
• Travel and material costs incurred during the project covered.
• The student will be based at the Marine Institute in Rinville, Oranmore Co. Galway, Ireland, and at the Marine and Freshwater Research Centre (MFRC), Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Dublin Road Campus, Galway, Ireland.

Important Dates

• Project Start Date: May 1st, 2024.
• Application Closing Date: 12 noon Thursday, January 25th, 2024.

Contact Information
For further information on the project, please contact:

• Dr. Anita Talbot ([email protected])
• Dr. Samantha White ([email protected])

Data Protection Statement
ATU takes data protection seriously and adheres to GDPR and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018. Personal information disclosed will only be used for assessing suitability, administering and registering for the scholarship, and will not be retained longer than necessary. Refer to ATU’s Student Privacy Statement for details: ATU Student Privacy Statement.

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