Applications are invited for a four-year PhD project at the School of Food and Nutritional Science at University College Cork, supervised by Dr. Eileen Ryan and Dr. Aine Hennessy.

The PhD studentship is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of a project on the “DIetary expoSure and Risk to hEalth of Per- and poly-fluroAlkyl substances: an IRish perspective (DISREPAIR)”

The PhD project

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join a cutting-edge project exploring exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Ireland and their potential effects on maternal and infant health.

The project will:

• Measure PFAS levels in foods commonly consumed in Ireland using state-of-the-art liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
• Estimate dietary exposure by combining food analysis with national consumption data.
• Quantify PFAS concentrations in pregnant women’s serum and assess associations with pregnancy health outcomes (e.g., thyroid function, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes).
• Measure PFAS transfer to infants through cord blood and early life serum samples at 12 and 24 months.
• Investigate links between PFAS exposure and key infant health outcomes, including birth weight, growth, and preterm birth.

Funding

The PhD position is funded for four years. It includes a tax-free stipend of €25,000 p.a. and tuition fees covered.

Start date

July 2025

Eligibility criteria

Essential:

• A minimum 2.1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Nutritional Science, Food Science, Analytical Chemistry, Public Health, Environmental Health or a closely related discipline.
• Strong interest in nutrition, food safety, environmental health, and maternal/child health research.
• Strong interest in analytical chemistry particularly in the use of LC-MS
• Demonstrated laboratory skills, including experience with sample preparation, chemical or biological analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

Desirable:

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent research experience) in a relevant field (e.g., Human Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Health Sciences).
• Previous hands-on experience with liquid LC-MS
• Knowledge of epidemiological study design and exposure assessment methods.
• Familiarity with statistical software packages such as SPSS, R, or Stata.
• Experience working with human biological samples (e.g., blood, serum).
• An interest in translating scientific research into public health and policy impacts.

To Apply:

Please send your application to Dr. Eileen Ryan (eileen.ryan@ucc.ie) with “DISREPAIR PhD application” in the subject line of the email. The deadline is 6^th Jun 2025.

Please attach a single PDF document that contains:

• A cover letter of 1 to 2 pages: Your letter should clearly set out your suitability and motivation for this PhD with reference to the selection criteria and your past relevant experience and achievements
• A CV that includes your relevant experience, undergraduate results, any relevant publications (if applicable) and contact information for two academic referees.