Title: Understanding and Reducing Household Food Waste to Support Sustainable Food System Transformation

Start Date: Spring 2026

Background

The Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems is committed to driving transformation in Ireland and the UK by addressing the economic, social, health, and environmental challenges within current food systems (Food Co-Centre — Sustainable Food Systems). Our goal is to ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sustainably produced food for all.

Our research focuses on key challenges including food system integrity and resilience, food safety, and promoting healthy diets derived from sustainable sources. Guided by a food systems approach, the Co-Centre delivers a comprehensive research programme that spans oriented basic and applied research across science, technology, engineering, and the social sciences. This collaborative work is carried out across three jurisdictions: the Republic of Ireland (ROI), Northern Ireland (NI), and Great Britain (GB).

This Co-Centre presents a unique opportunity to rapidly develop innovative and transformative solutions to transition the food system and position Ireland and the UK as a research and innovation global leader for positive and sustainable change in the transition to climate-neutrality by 2050.

About this PhD Project

Within the Nutrition and Health Platform, jointly led by Ulster University and University College Cork, this PhD position will contribute to the development of a unique Household Cohort Study — a living research infrastructure designed to explore how families and individuals interact with food, health, and sustainability in their everyday lives. This household cohort will support the development of the evidence-base to determine requirements to transition to a diet that is both healthy and sustainable.

This doctoral project will specifically focus on characterising household food waste to identify opportunities for change. By investigating what food is wasted, why, and under what circumstances, the project will provide critical insights into the behavioural, social, nutritional and economic drivers of waste generation. The research will identify evidence-based strategies to reduce household food waste and contribute to national and international goals for sustainable consumption and circular food systems.

This PhD extends an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively with our research partners at University of Ulster (UU), Queens University (QUB) and University College Dublin (UCD). This PhD offers a multidisciplinary approach and is designed to equip candidates with advanced knowledge and research skills to tackle pressing challenges in food security and food waste. Training: Co-Centre PhD students participate in a comprehensive Food Systems Training Programme, providing a broad understanding of sustainability challenges and solutions across the food chain, complementing their individual research focus.

Qualifications:

The Applicant will have a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree in the relevant discipline with a strong interest in food systems, food and health, and sustainability research. The applicant will be enthusiastic and highly motivated, able to interact well with other team members and capable of working on their own initiative.  Prior research experience while not essential is desirable.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A strong commitment and research interest in sustainability and food systems.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Please note that while this PhD Scholarship contributes to a larger multi-centre project, the successful Candidate will be exclusively based on campus at University College Cork.  It is not feasible for this research to be conducted remotely.  This is a full-time role; the successful Candidate will reside in Cork, Ireland for the duration of their PhD which will be for 4 years.

Funding:  Stipend: €22,000–€25,000 per annum. Fees: PhD tuition fees covered at the EU student rate