Qualification : PHILOSOPHIAE DOCTOR DEGREE
Award Type and NFQ level : RESEARCH PH.D. (10)
CAO/MU Apply code : MHD02 (FT), MHD03 (PT)
CAO Points :
Students entering the Structured PhD Programme in Biology will be under the supervision of an experienced researcher. All academic staff members in the Biology Department are experienced and active researchers and can supervise PhD students. Information about their research can be found on the Biology Department website (https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/biology/our-research) and interested students should initially contact researchers directly to discuss potential PhD projects.
In most but not all instances, your stipend, university fees, consumable, equipment and travel costs will be paid from a research grant from a national or international grant agency or charity. Your supervisor usually competitively obtains this grant but students can also obtain their own scholarships, such as from the Irish Research Council (IRC). Scholarship awards, such as the John Hume Scholarship, are also available from Maynooth University via an annual call. There is usually no support available for extra time required to complete your degree so you should try and manage your research and thesis writing to take place within the allocated timeframe (usually 3-4 years).
Upon entering the programme each student will be assigned two additional mentors, an Advisor and an Assessor. The Advisor provides additional mentorship for the student throughout the four-year programme and is someone the student can discuss issues with in addition to their supervisor. The Assessor is a member of staff who will provide an annual constructive critique of the students work programme and will aid, together with the Advisor, in outlining possible future research plans.
In addition to the research project, training is provided through compulsory attendance of a variety of generic and transferable skills as well as subject-specific modules. For example, research students will have the opportunity to gain experience in practical class demonstrating and receiving training in teaching and learning methodologies. Training in subject specific skills is provided through modules offered either through the Biology Department or through other third level institutions. Finally, research students will be encouraged to attend at least one international conference during their four-year programme, at which they will be expected to present an oral or poster presentation.
Closing date
Research applications are generally accepted at any time
Commences
September
Applicants must have a recognised primary degree that is considered equivalent to Irish University primary degree level. Usually a first or upper second class honours degree in a relevant biological subject is required. Additional qualifications such as an MSc degree or relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration.
Minimum English language requirements:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants..
Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850
Dr Ozgür Bayram
Fungal genetics and secondary metabolism
Dr Marion Butler
Cell signalling
Dr James Carolan
Proteomics and molecular biology
Dr. John Devaney
Forest ecology and global change
Dr. Tara Dirilgen
Terrestrial Ecology
Dr Paul Dowling
Clinical proteomics
Prof Sean Doyle
Biotechnology
Dr Karen English
Cellular Immunology
Dr David Fitzpatrick
Genome evolution
Dr Emmanuelle Graciet
Plant biochemistry
Dr Andy Hogan
Metabolic immunology
Dr. Grace Hoysted
Microbial Ecology
Prof Kevin Kavanagh
Medical microbiology
Dr. Lorna Lopez
Human Genomics
Dr Joanne Masterson
Allergy, inflammation and remodelling
Dr Eoin McNamee
Mucosal Immunology
Dr Conor Meade
Molecular ecology
Dr Sinead Miggin
Immune signalling
Prof Paul Moynagh
Molecular immunology
Dr. Dania Movia
Humane biomedical and health services
Dr Jackie Nugent
Plant molecular biology
Dr Shirley ODea
Epithial immunobiology
Dr. Diarmuid O'Maoileidigh
Comparative developmental genetics
Prof Kay Ohlendieck
Muscle biology
Dr Rebecca Owens
Chemical microbiology
Dr Mark Robinson
Chronic disease immunology
Dr Martina Schroeder
Host-Pathogen Interaction, Innate immune signalling, RNA biology
Dr Fiona Walsh
Antimicrobial resistance & microbiome research
Information about research interests of Biology staff members can be found on the Biology Department Website: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/biology/our-research
A students research programme will be decided upon after consultation with the project supervisor. During the duration of the programme, and in addition to their research project, students take a minimum of 15 credits of taught modules in generic and transferable skills and a minimum of 15 credits in taught modules covering advanced/specialist and subject-specific skills.
Online application only. To make an application please click here.
Please note: All research applicants should contact the respective department before applying to ensure their research proposal aligns with departmental interests and criteria.
To apply for your chosen postgraduate study at Maynooth University, please ensure you have the following documents to make an application:
- Evidence of your primary degree
- Academic transcripts
- A copy of your passport
- Proposed Thesis Title and Summary
- A personal statement
- An academic letter of recommendation
- A professional letter of recommendation
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.