There are currently no applications/positions available. 

PhD Studentship in Architecture

Job Posted: 15th June 2023
Closing Date for Applications: 30th June 2023
Department: Cork Centre for Architectural Education, Architecture
School: Engineering and Architecture
Contract Type: Fixed Term Whole-Time
Job Type: Research
Salary: €20,000 per year plus Fees.

College of School of Science, Engineering and Food Science (SEFS), School of Engineering and Architecture, Cork Centre for Architectural Education, Architecture, UCC: PhD

Outline of Position

This PhD studentship will contribute to the funded engaged research project “HYBrid Energy Solutions for buildings, and infrastructure” (HYBES) and be involved in capacity building for climate change adaptation in communities through the evolution of an innovative ‘Living Lab’ model.

The project combines the concept of civic and community engagement through Living Labs with the roll out of innovative tools towards the establishment of dedicated Decarbonisation Zones (DZ) in rural and peripheral regions. With a focus on the built environment, the project will use co-creation methods to create knowledge-based tools and activities for promoting improved energy efficient solutions towards achieving reduction of greenhouse gas emissions within the Northern Periphery Areas (NPA). HYBES aims to build a knowledge-based ecosystem within rural communities to promote DZ opportunities and to build citizen capacity to achieve carbon neutral goals. Through transnational Living Labs, partners will build citizen knowledge and understanding about the importance and benefits of decarbonisation.

HYBES will refine the ‘Living Lab’ concept as method of citizen and community engagement in five partner regions: Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. HYBES will engage with communities who often feel marginalised by carbon neutral policies. HYBES will demonstrate how decarbonisation measures can benefit communities and individual households both financially and environmentally using existing best practices and novel innovations.

Principal Investigators: Dr Jason O’Shaughnessy and Dr Martin Galvin 

PhD Learning Environment and Support

Engaged Research is a leading aim of the new UCC Securing our Future Strategy 2023-2028, which will “transform UCC’s Research Culture through the implementation of Engaged Research and Open Research, underpinned by academic integrity, and ethical and responsible practice”.

UCC, a signatory to the national Campus Engage Charter (2014), is leading the development of an Engaged Research Strategy and a transnational Living Lab for the UNIC European University Alliance. Also embedded in the activities of the School of Engineering and Architecture, Engaged Research distinguishes the school as an internationally leading site to address the grand challenges of our time in the areas of Sustainability and Climate, Food and Nutrition, Health and Wellbeing, and Future Technologies. Our School’s research has resulted in the development of world-leading research centres at UCC, including the Tyndall National Institute and the MaREI SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine. The School is also home to the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Engaged Research Team of the Year 2022.

Our academic staff work closely with postgraduate research students and full-time postdoctoral researchers to create new technologies and solutions that have real impacts on our economy (through industry collaborations, patents, and spin-off companies) and on our society (through societal engagement with local, national and international communities, regular media contributions and bringing societally informed evidence to government policy).

The College of College of School of Science, Engineering and Food Science (SEFS) provide postgraduate skills development support and research funding and travel bursary opportunities. PhD students develop essential research and leadership skills within this vibrant scholarly community. A supervisory team approach means you will have a minimum of two suitably qualified supervisors and the support of a wider community of experienced UCC engaged research scholars.

Funding and Supports

This PhD scholarship starts in August 2023 includes an annual stipend of €20,000 per year along with applicable study fees, tenable for a maximum of 4 years (subject to satisfactory progress in studies each year). You will, moreover, be provided with access to some funding to attend relevant academic conferences and workshops to support your development.

Information for Applicants

Architecture is a relatively new addition to the disciplines practised in University College Cork (http://www.ucc.ie/en/architecture/). It is incorporated in the School of Engineering and Architecture, (http://www.ucc.ie/en/soe/) which is the largest constituent of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, or SEFS (http://www.ucc.ie/en/sefs/).

The undergraduate programme in Architecture started in 2006, whilst Engineering has existed in one form or another since Queen’s College Cork opened its doors in 1849. Working in collaboration with Munster Technological University, which independently offers degree programmes in Architectural Technology and Interior Architecture, UCC established the Cork Centre for Architectural Education, in response to the ‘Worthington Report’ (‘A Future for Architectural Education in Ireland’ commissioned in 2004 by the Higher Education Authority and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland).

The Report recommended increasing educational provision to provide an opportunity to study architecture outside Dublin and to increase diversity in the forms of architectural education available in Ireland. The Cork Centre for Architectural Education (CCAE) set out to establish a programme of architectural education strongly linked with, and informed by architectural practice, but also reinforced by support for design research to expand architectural knowledge and contribute to the enhancement of the design process.

CCAE has been an international team leader of EU funded research programmes – which includes recent preparatory funding for the NPA Programme BAUHAUS Goes North (2022) as well as full funding for Hybrid energy solution for buildings, transportation, mobility, and infrastructure (HYBES) (2022), Energy Pathfinder – Towards Zero Energy Historical Buildings (2019-2022); and Natural Energy Efficient Sustainable (NEES) (2011-2014).  Staff in CCAE are Co-Directors of a new Joint European Masters Redesigning the Post‐Industrial City (RePIC) which is part of The European University of Post-Industrial Cities (UNIC) – aiming to provide our societies and next generations with the 21^st century skills required for societal impact in the superdiverse European future through UNIC CityLabs.

Key duties and responsibilities

• The PhD candidate will conduct a specified programme of engaged research under the joint supervision of Dr Jason O’Shaughnessy and Dr Martin Galvin
• Transdisciplinary interactions with collaborators nationally and internationally will be required.
• Collaborative engagement with communities, government and industry actors towards Decarbonisation Zones (DZ) will be required.

Additional tasks will include

• The dissemination of results at conferences and through scholarly articles.
• Attendance at postgraduate training courses, especially on engaged research.
• Regular reporting of research activities.
• Travel to key Partner and Community Events and meetings.
• Where relevant to HYBES, contribute to UCC’s wider third mission activities.
• Contribute to the UNIC European University Alliance Centre for City Futures and CityLabs initiatives.
• Contribute and assist in teaching at Cork Centre for Architectural Education

Qualifications & Candidate Profile

• Applicants should have a Master Degree (NQF Level 9) in Architecture or cognate discipline.
• Applicants should be highly motivated, detail orientated and committed with a keen interest in community based engaged research, as well as transdisciplinary design and creative approaches.
• Applicants should possess excellent communication, organisation, interpersonal skills and the ability to work within a project team are essential.
• Some research experience undertaking community-facing research is advantageous.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must show evidence of English proficiency (e.g. IELTS minimum 6.5, individual sections 6.0), please check the requirements at: Evidence of English Proficiency

Start Date:

1^st August 2023

Further Information:

For informal enquiries on the post, candidates should contact Dr Jason O’Shaughnessy (j.oshaughnessy@ucc.ie) or Dr Martin Galvin (martin.galvin@ucc.ie).

To Apply:

Only fully completed applications will be considered, and:

• Applicants intending to apply must complete the application form: PhD Architecture Studentship_HYBES_Application Form
• Applicants must submit a 2-page CV of the applicant outlining their qualifications, achievements, and vision.
• Applicants must also submit two signed Letters of References – ensuring that contact information is clearly indicated in the header/footer section.

Completed applications must be submitted as a single pdf document and sent to gerrymccarthy@ucc.ie including ‘Architecture PhD Studentship’ in the email subject line.

The closing date for this PhD Studentship application is 5.00pm Irish Standard Time (IST, UTC+01:00) on 30^th June 2023.

University College Cork and The Cork Centre for Architectural Education (CCAE) encourages applications from minorities and under-represented groups.