News and Vacancies
Vacancy: 2 X PhD Studentship positions - Research Ireland - SHIELD Project, nasc Research, School of Computer Science & Information Technology, UCC
2 X PhD by Research Positions: Research Ireland Project
Project Title: SHIELD: Intelligent Reflecting Surface for Enhanced Integrated Sensing and Communication to Protect Vulnerable Road Users
Applications are invited for two fully-funded PhD Studentships to join our research team at the nasc Research Centre, with an anticipated start date of March 2026.
Each position is for 48 months, fully-funded PhD (Tax-free stipend of €25,000 p.a. and tuition fees covered at the EU rate,) which will be based at the School of Computer Science and Information Technology in University College Cork in the nasc research centre.
We are now seeking to fill 2 PhD Studentship positions:
PhD Position 1 – Wireless Networks & Intelligent Sensing: The first PhD position will focus on research activities related to wireless networks, machine learning, and intelligent sensing for transportation systems. Applicants with experience or interest in wireless networks and communications, machine learning and computer vision, intelligent transportation systems, intelligent sensing and localization, or signal processing are encouraged to apply.
PhD Position 2 – Edge Communication & Computing: The second PhD position will focus on edge communication and computing aspects of the SHIELD project. Candidates with experience or interest in intelligent reflecting surfaces, wireless resource optimization, edge/fog communication for intelligent transportation systems, edge-assisted sensing and localization, or federated learning are encouraged to apply.
The successful candidates will contribute to the progress of the SHIELD project under the supervision of Dr. MD Noor-A-Rahim and will work closely with postdoctoral researchers, as well as academic and industry collaborators.
The School of Computer Science & IT (CSIT) at UCC is part of three major Irish SFI-funded research centres, CONNECT - Centre for Future Networks & Communications, Insight - Centre for Data Analytics, Lero - Irish Software Research Centre and it is also hosting two large doctoral training centres (ADVANCE and INSIGHT).
The successful applicants will receive a stipend of €25,000 per annum for up to four years and an annual contribution of €5,750 towards tuition fees. Non-EU candidates may apply but they may have to cover extra fees themselves.
If the successful applicant’s first language is not English they will have to provide evidence of English language proficiency https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/
General enquires about the PhD positions can be made to Dr. MD Noor-A-Rahim.
Email: md.noorarahim@ucc.ie
Start date: March 2026
To Apply:
Applications by email to Mary Noonan at m.noonan@cs.ucc.ie and must include "PhD by Research (SHIELD) Application” in the subject line. Applications must include, in PDF format only:
- Full CV with a publication record (list all publications).
- Transcript of results for all university-level modules and courses.
- One-page abstract describing the final-year undergraduate project or MSc project.
- One-page statement outlining your research interests, explicitly referring to one or more of the areas listed above.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Wednesday, 7th January 2026.
No late applications will be accepted.
Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.
UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff. We encourage applicants to consult our policies at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/policies/ and initiatives at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/implementation/ and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER