Summary

Applications are invited to pursue a 24-month fully funded MPhil Studentship at the School of Microbiology and the School of Food and Nutritional Science at University College Cork (UCC). The MPhil studentship is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of a project “Just Transition for Agriculture in the Circular Bioeconomy" (JusTACE). The successful candidate will join Dr Gaurav Rajauria and will be part of a highly motivated and diverse team of researchers at the BioREFINE Research Group based at the SUSFERM Centre for Sustainable Fermentation and Bioprocessing Systems for Food and the Bioeconomy; School of Microbiology; and School of Food and Nutritional Sciences at UCC, Ireland. Dr Rajauria’s research is interdisciplinary and will allow candidates to develop their skills in a variety of areas, including circular bioeconomy, biobased refineries, and agri-food biomass valorisation for value added biobased products.

Background and objectives

The JusTACE project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at supporting and scaling up the just transition to the Circular Economy. Recognizing the complex challenges of transitioning to a sustainable circular bioeconomy, particularly within the deeply rooted traditional fossil-based agrifood supply chain, the project seeks to ensure an inclusive transition that leaves no one behind. The project is assessing the potential socio-economic impacts of the transition at local, regional, rural, and urban levels, identifying holistic solutions for a just and inclusive transition. It focuses on addressing knowledge gaps and informing government policies and initiatives in areas of finance incentives. Analysis of financial incentives and systems having socio-economic impacts within the Irish Food System as well as identifying key existing circular business and collaborative consumption models related to the agri-food system are some of the key focuses of the project. The JusTACE project is a multi-partner project involving University College Cork, Munster Technological University, University College Dublin and Maynooth University, therefore the candidate would have an opportunity to engage and build collaborations at the National levels.

Key tasks in the MPhil Studentship include:

The core objective for the MPhil student is to undertake an in-depth analysis of the financial incentives, regulatory frameworks, and operational systems that influence socio-economic outcomes within the Irish Agri-Food System. The student will maintain a close working relationship with a co-located researcher at MTU for the duration of the studentship, with key responsibilities including:

• Identify key food systems to analyse and engage within the scope of the project, this will be achieved through an initial high level literature review through existing just transition indicators.
• Conduct a review of the regulations in the focus sector within the holistic lens > socio-economic and gender vulnerabilities, inequalities, and risks

Create questionnaires to assess development of indicators > what is important to stakeholder groups > socio-economic and gender vulnerabilities, inequalities, and risks.

Start date

September 2025

Eligibility criteria

• Applicants must have a first class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Agriculture Economics, Agri/Environment Management, Sustainable Agriculture, Bioeconomy, Agricultural/Food/Environmental Policy or a closely related discipline.
• A Master’s degree (or equivalent research experience) in a relevant field would be desirable.
• Prior in-depth literature search and stakeholder engagement experience would be desirable.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Applicants must meet all UCC eligibility requirements for registration as a MPhil.
• Applicants must have excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Candidates who are not fluent in English are requested to provide proof of English proficiency (in speaking and writing) as per UCC Postgraduate English Language Entry Requirements. For English test requirement, please strictly adhere with the university guidelines provided at the link above.