Funded Opportunities for Postgraduate Research Students
Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) is uniquely positioned to play a vital role in Ireland’s transition to a smart society and economy. It is strongly focused on problem-solving research, technological development and innovation through interdisciplinary centres and Institutes. All our funded opportunities are available below.
DIT Fiosraigh Scholarship Programme
The Irish word Fiosraigh, which means to explore or inquire, underlines the purpose of this scholarship programme which is to promote the exploration and application of knowledge as part of DIT research strategy. Applications are usually accepted between February and April each year. To find out more, please click here.
Funded Opportunities with DIT Staff Members
Funded research opportunities are available with DIT staff members who have made a successful funding application to a national or international funding body. We are currently seeking applicants for the following opportunities:
PhD Project: Investigation of Silane Treatments Under Stress
PhD Project: Investigation of Silane Treatments Under Stress
Project Description: The industrially co-funded project will investigate the physical properties of highly adherent silane surface treatments as part of full coating system. The silanes are used as adhesion promoters for binding rubber to engineered metal surfaces (e.g. antivibration mountings, conveyer rollers, seals). The silane treatments are based on a novel combination of organic and inorganic chemistries, primarily organically modified silanes, which have been developed at Henkel (Loctite) Irl., a recognised global leader in adhesion research. The research will establish the critical steps involved in surface preparation, contamination avoidance, application and curing conditions of the silanes. Characterisation of the coatings will be achieved by using a range of instrumental techniques available in both DIT and Henkel (Dublin). It is expected that the critical chemical factors for optimising adhesion will be investigated to maximise the compatibility between the silane and the rubber. It is expected that the project student will be trained to contribute towards the research ongoing Henkel and may join as a staff member on completion of the project.
Benefits: This scholarship is funded under the Fiosraigh Enterprise Scheme and is in partnership with Henkel Ireland limited. It will include a student stipend of €16,000 per annum for four years and all the registration fees covered for the duration of the project.
Student Requirements: Hons 2.1 or better (M.Sc. preferable) in Chemistry or Materials Science, with experience in polymers and/or surface treatments.
Deadline to Receive Applications: Friday 2nd December 2011.
Supervisor: Dr. Brendan Duffy
To submit an application, please complete an Expression of Interest Form and forward it together with an up to date Curriculum Vitae to graduateresearchschool@dit.ie.
PhD Project: Vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy and infancy: possible effects on early growth, development and health
Project Description: The data from this research is vital in order to properly evaluate the extent of uptake and compliance with the recently published vitamin D guidelines. Moreover, determinants of compliance and the identification of particularly “at-risk” groups will facilitate HSE-led interventions to improve compliance thereby having far-reaching implications for future nutrition and health educational programmes and policy.
Recent research has shown that the beneficial role of vitamin D extends well beyond that of skeletal health and that maternal vitamin D practices have a major role to play in public health, promoting health in both the mother (improved pregnancy outcomes) and the infant (optimal growth and development of the baby). Earlier this year the Food Safety Authority of Ireland issued guidelines (endorsed by the Separtment of Health) that all babies be given 5 micrograms daily of vitamin D from 0 to 12 months of age. Presently, no Irish data are available on vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy and early infancy and therefore research is needed to determine the prevalence of supplementation and to appraise the determinants of infant feeding supplementation practices here in Ireland.
As well as exploring the potential benefits of supplementation during pregnancy and infancy to early growth and development through a longitudinal study design, research involving laboratory studies will be conducted to identify non-invasive biomarkers to facilitate the evaluation of vitamin D status in infancy. To achieve its objectives, this project plans to integrate a broad range of techniques including quantitative, epidemiological and experimental studies. An interdisciplinary approach involving expertise from nutritional science, dietetics, public health nutrition, midwifery, paediatrics, biochemistry and clinical chemistry will be involved in carrying out this research.
Benefits: This project is funded under the Fiosraigh Enterprise Scheme and is in partnership with Danone Baby Nutrition. It will include a student stipend of €16,000 per annum for four years and all registration fees paid for the duration of the scholarship.
Student Requirements: Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics (minimum 2.1)
Supervisor: Dr. John Kearney
Deadline to Receive Applications: Friday, 2nd December 2011
To submit an application, please complete an Expression of Interest Form and forward it together with an up to date Curriculum Vitae to graduateresearchschool@dit.ie.