Organisation/Company Dublin City University Department School of Chemical Sciences Research Field Chemistry » Analytical chemistry Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Positions PhD Positions Country Ireland Application Deadline 31 Jul 2025 - 12:00 (Europe/Dublin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
About our group:The Morrin Research Group, based in theSchool of Chemical Sciences, is at the forefront of developing newanalytical and sensing technologies for real-world applications acrossenvironmental science and health diagnostics. We are excited to announce opportunities to join our group and contribute cutting edge research in a new project rePAINT– Advancing the Circular Economy of Paint in Ireland through Science & Innovation, recently funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As part of this project, we will be advancing scientific methods to support paint reuse in Ireland through the development and deployment of scientific methods and tools for supporting quality assessment, microbial screening, paint decontamination, and polymer recovery. We will be working closely with social enterprises and civic amenity sites, aiming to combine rigorous scientific research with real-world impact to help scale sustainable paint reuse solutions.
About rePAINT: This is a pioneering, multidisciplinary research programme that aims to advance Ireland’s circular economy by transforming how waste paint is assessed, reused, and valorised. In partnership with the Rediscovery Centre and the national Paint Reuse Network, rePAINT will develop scientific and technological innovations to enhance paint quality screening, explore microbial decontamination methods, and recover valuable raw materials from paint waste. The project works closely with social enterprises and civic amenity sites to ensure that research translates into practical, scalable solutions that reduce hazardous waste and support community-driven sustainability.
Key responsibilities of PhD student rePAINT team members:
* Conduct high-quality, interdisciplinary research, collaborating with chemists, microbiologists, materials scientists, and circular economy experts.
* Develop and apply innovative analytical, physical, or bioanalytical techniques to assess and enhance the reuse potential of donated paint.
* Contribute to the development and validation of new methodologies to support paint quality assessment.
* Participate in laboratory and site-based testing at Civic Amenity (CA) sites and social enterprises to evaluate real-world applicability of developed methods.
* Compile and maintain comprehensive datasets on physicochemical or microbiological parameters and contribute to the creation of an open-access paint quality database.
* Present research findings at national and international conferences, and publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
* Participate in public engagement and outreach activities to promote awareness of reused paint and sustainability initiatives.
* Assist with project coordination tasks, such as progress reporting and data management, to ensure project milestones and deliverables are met.
* Contribute to mentoring activities within the Morrin Research Group, where appropriate.
* Manage day-to-day research activities independently within the agreed project framework, ensuring effective time management and resource use.
* Build collaborative relationships within and beyond the research group and contribute to knowledge exchange through internal and external academic and stakeholder networks.
Qualifications required:
* A first-class or upper second-class honours bachelor’s degree (or a master’s degree) in a relevant field such as chemistry, environmental science, materials science, microbiology, physics, or a related discipline.
* Strong research skills and interest in one or more of the following: analytical chemistry, polymer/materials characterisation, microbiological methods, or environmental technologies.
* Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.
* Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
* Strong written and oral communication skills.
* Motivation to contribute to applied sustainability research with real-world impact.
* Willingness to engage with community and industry stakeholders (e.g. social enterprises, civic amenity sites) to trial technologies.
* Ability to manage workload and meet project deadlines independently.
* Interest in travel for site visits, workshops, and conferences within Ireland and abroad.
What we are offering:
* 2x fully-funded four-year PhD positions, each with a tax-free stipend of €25,000 per annum plus annual tuition fees (€5,750) .
* Generous travel, training, and research budget, including support for national and international conferences and fieldwork.
* Access to state-of-the-art analytical, microbial, and materials characterisation facilities at Dublin City University.
* Close mentorship from a multidisciplinary supervisory team, including experts in analytical chemistry, microbiology, plasma technology, and polymer science.
* Opportunities for collaboration with social enterprises, civic amenity sites, and stakeholders across the paint reuse network.
* A vibrant, supportive and impact-driven research environment that bridges science, sustainability, and social enterprise.
* Both students will be based in DCU’s School of Chemical Sciences, with opportunities to engage with stakeholders, present at international conferences, and contribute to impactful scientific publications and outreach initiatives.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
PhD Position 1
Analytical & Physical Method Development for Paint Reuse Quality Assessment
Research Focus:
* Development of physicochemical screening methods for paint quality assessment.
* Evaluation of industry-standard paint tests for reuse contexts.
* Field testing of developed methods at Civic Amenity (CA) sites and social enterprises.
* Collaboration on developing polymer recovery methods from unusable paints.
Candidate Profile:
A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Materials Science, Environmental Science, or related field.
* Interest in applied analytical techniques and sustainability.
* Experience with instrumentation (GC-MS, spectroscopy, colourimetry) is desirable.
* Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
PhD Position 2
New technology development for microbial screening of paint and paint recycling
Research Focus:
* Development of bioassays for microbial screening of waste paint.
* Microbial volatile organic compound profiling of paint using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
* Evaluation of new technologies for microbial decontamination of spoiled paints.
* Field deployment of technologies in collaboration with the PRN and social enterprises.
Candidate Profile:
* A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Microbiology, Bioanalytical Science, Physics, or related discipline.
* Interest in bioanalysis and/or applied technologies for environmental applications.
* Laboratory experience in microbiological or analytical techniques is a plus.
* A proactive and collaborative approach to research.
Application Process:
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following materials via email to Dr Aoife Morrin:
* A cover letter outlining your interest in the rePAINT project, your research motivations, and which PhD position (PhD1 or PhD2) you are applying for.
* A Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing academic background, research experience, and relevant skills.
* Contact details for at least two academic or professional referees.
* A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Materials Science, Environmental Science, or related field.
* Interest in applied analytical techniques and sustainability.
* Experience with instrumentation (GC-MS, spectroscopy, colourimetry) is desirable.
* Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
PhD Position 2
* A first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Microbiology, Bioanalytical Science, Physics, or related discipline.
* Interest in bioanalysis and/or applied technologies for environmental applications.
* Laboratory experience in microbiological or analytical techniques is a plus.
* A proactive and collaborative approach to research.
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