✨ Funded PhD position - Increasing crop resilience to climate change using plant fungal symbionts

A fully funded Faculty of Science and Engineering Doctoral Scholarship (Department of Biology) is available in my lab at Maynooth University starting September 2026.

This four year project will use molecular approaches to elucidate complex interactions between barley and diverse lineages of mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizal symbiotic relationships may offer a potential natural-based solution to mitigate crop stress in agricultural ecosystems. Plant tolerance to two stresses relevant to the Irish context, waterlogging and fungal pathogens will be investigated.

This project will allow the PhD student to develop strong skills in (i) fungal biology by working both with mycorrhizal fungi and fungal pathogens; (ii) plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses; (iii) molecular approaches such as the monitoring of gene expression using RNA-seq.

The scholar will participate in the structured PhD Programme and receive:
• €25,000 annual stipend (tax free)
• University fees covered.

 📍 Based at Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Ireland
📅 Application deadline: 5pm, 19th June 2026

Further information in attached advertisement.

Please submit applications directly to: grace.hoysted@mu.ie with ‘Biology PhD 2026’ in the subject line.