🌊 Fully Funded PhD in Population Exposure & Climate Migration – Maynooth University, Ireland | Start October 2025

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics is now accepting applications for a fully funded PhD at Maynooth University, Ireland, beginning in October 2025. This exciting doctoral opportunity is part of an EPA-funded research project focusing on Estimating and Projecting Population Exposure to Extreme Sea Levels in Ireland and Climate-Induced Migration Trends.

This research is not only academically rigorous—it is directly relevant to real-world challenges facing coastal communities in the era of climate change. Under the supervision of Prof. Niamh Cahill, the successful candidate will contribute to informing public policy and adaptation strategies for vulnerable populations in low-elevation coastal zones (LECZs).

🧪 Project Overview: What Will You Study?

The successful PhD candidate will join a multidisciplinary team to develop and apply advanced small-area population estimation models and tools for sea-level rise adaptation planning.

This includes:

1. 📍 Population Exposure Assessment
   Enhancing spatial methodologies to assess population vulnerability to sea-level rise (SLR) and extreme sea-level events (ESLs) using small-area demographic data.
2. 🌍 Climate-Induced Migration Trends
   Analyzing internal migration patterns in Ireland to understand how communities may respond to rising sea levels, especially in high-risk coastal zones.

The research will integrate geospatial data, demographic characteristics, and sea-level modeling to create actionable insights for government agencies and climate adaptation strategists.

🏛️ Host Institution: Maynooth University

📍 Location:

Maynooth University, County Kildare, Ireland

🏫 Department:

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

📅 Start Date:

October 2025

👩‍🏫 Supervisor:

Prof. Niamh Cahill

🔗 Official Webpage:

Maynooth University Department of Mathematics & Statistics

🎁 What Does the PhD Scholarship Cover?

This fully funded scholarship offers financial support and academic resources for 4 years (2025–2029).

✅ Scholarship Package:

• 💸 Annual Stipend: €25,000 per year
• 🎓 Full Tuition Fee Support (for the entire PhD duration)
• ✈️ Travel Allowance: €1,250 per year for research dissemination and conferences
• 📚 Access to university resources, data, labs, and computational infrastructure
• 🧑‍🏫 Mentorship from experts in mathematical modeling and environmental policy

This level of support makes the Maynooth University PhD program one of the most competitive and appealing for aspiring researchers interested in climate modeling, migration, and geospatial statistics.

🧑‍🎓 What Is the Role of the Student?

The PhD candidate will work across three core research areas:

1. Small-Area Population Estimation
   • Develop demographic models for coastal zones in Ireland
   • Integrate spatial and temporal datasets for high-resolution mapping
2. Exposure Estimation
   • Assess how exposed populations are to SLR and ESLs
   • Develop prediction tools based on climate scenarios and topography
3. Migration Modeling
   • Identify movement trends from high-risk coastal regions
   • Use socio-demographic variables to simulate future climate migration scenarios

These outputs will support Ireland’s adaptation and planning efforts, making this research highly relevant to national policy and EU climate resilience initiatives.

👤 Who Can Apply?

The scholarship is open to national and international candidates with a strong academic background in relevant quantitative disciplines.

✅ Eligibility Requirements:

• 🎓 Honours Bachelor’s degree AND a Master’s degree (completed or near completion) in:
  • Statistics
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Environmental Science
  • Geospatial Analysis
  • Climate Science
  • Demography
  • Related fields with quantitative training
• 📈 Strong skills in:
  • R, Python, or other statistical software
  • Spatial modeling and/or GIS tools
  • Time series and predictive analytics
• 🗣️ English proficiency (for non-native speakers, evidence of TOEFL/IELTS may be required)
• ✅ Motivation to work on climate adaptation, demographic modeling, and policy-relevant research

📥 How to Apply

To apply for the PhD scholarship at Maynooth University, candidates must:

📄 Prepare the following documents:

• Cover letter outlining:
  • Research interests
  • Alignment with the project
  • Relevant skills and experiences
• CV (with academic background, publications, if any)
• Copies of transcripts and degree certificates
• Contact information for 2 academic references

📧 Submit your application to:

Applications must be submitted directly to the project supervisor or the department. Full details are typically announced via Maynooth University’s Graduate Studies portal.

📅 Deadline to Apply: Rolling until filled, but early applications are strongly encouraged before mid-2025.

If you require any help regarding your application, you can also contact us at scholarshipwithaakash@gmail.com

🤔 FAQs – Answer Engine Optimized

❓ Is this PhD fully funded?

✅ Yes. The scholarship covers €25,000 stipend/year, tuition fees, and travel costs.

❓ What is the project’s focus?

🌍 It explores sea-level rise, population vulnerability, and internal climate migration trends in Ireland.

❓ Who is the supervisor?

👩‍🏫 Prof. Niamh Cahill, expert in environmental statistics and spatial modeling.

❓ What skills are required?

🧠 Strong quantitative skills in statistics, data science, or geospatial analysis.

❓ Is the scholarship open to international students?

Yes, applicants from any country may apply if they meet academic and language criteria.

📌 Why You Should Apply

Climate change is reshaping our world—and this PhD offers a chance to shape how we respond. By joining this fully funded PhD at Maynooth University, you will contribute to climate resilience, human mobility studies, and adaptive planning for Ireland’s future.

Whether you’re passionate about data modeling, interested in spatial population analytics, or want to influence policy with your research, this opportunity is a unique gateway to academic excellence and real-world impact.

🕒 Start your application today and be part of Ireland’s mission to adapt, protect, and prepare for climate-driven population shifts.

🧑‍🎓 Author Bio

Mubeen Ali Niaz
Founder of ScholarshipsWithAakash.site
Mubeen specializes in promoting fully funded PhD and postdoctoral positions worldwide. With expertise in climate modeling and scholarship strategy, he helps students discover transformative research opportunities and secure competitive fellowships.

Stay tuned with Scholarships with Aakash — Where Your Academic Dreams Take Flight.

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