Background
The transition to a sustainable bioeconomy is recognised as a pathway for sustainable growth. It includes the traditional sectors of agriculture, forestry and the marine but it also includes related processing industries such as food, nutraceuticals, bio-energy, textiles, bio-pharma and cosmetics. Ireland’s national Bioeconomy Policy Statement indicates that the bioeconomy offers Ireland significant economic benefits, including an opportunity to create additional natural bio-value, to address issues such as climate change, food and water security, soil degradation, and rural development, and to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Innovation will be central to its success; hence this exciting PhD opportunity will explore the relationships between sustainable ecosystem innovation and business model innovation within the bioeconomy, focusing on the Irish context.
By analysing value creation, capture and delivery in sectors like forestry and bio-energy (e.g. anaerobic digestion), the study will provide insights into how collaborative networks can drive innovation. The feedstocks, technologies and products being developed by other researchers within BiOrbic may provide useful context/case studies for such research. Overall, the research will deliver significant benefits across academic, policy and practice, with outcomes including practical tools, frameworks and policy recommendations that will support the growth of a sustainable bioeconomy.
Requirements
We are seeking a motivated and passionate PhD candidate with a good primary degree (First or Second Class Honours) in an appropriate discipline (e.g. Business, Economics, Marketing, Psychology, Sociology, Geography). A Master’s degree is desirable, with applications from individuals who are currently pursuing a Master’s degree also welcome. Proficiency in English is essential. If English is not your first language, you will need to satisfy the English language requirement:
IELTS: 6.5- with no individual section lower than 6.0
TOEFL: 90 with minimum score as follows: Listening – 20; reading -19; speaking- 21; writing- 20.
Award
This prestigious award offers a generous annual stipend of €25,000, along with a fee contribution of €5,500 per annum. The funding is provided as part of the BiOrbic Research Ireland Centre, in collaboration with UCC and Teagasc, with significant development and training opportunities provided through these three institutions.
Further Information
Prof. Maeve Henchion, Dept. of Agrifood Business and Spatial Analysis, Teagasc, Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15, Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)1 8059515 email: [email protected]
Dr. Seamus O’Reilly, Dept. Food Business and Development, Cork University Business School, University College Cork, Ireland
Phone: +353(0) 21 7331539 email: [email protected]
Dr. Orlagh Reynolds, Dept. Food Business and Development, Cork University Business School, University College Cork, Ireland
email: [email protected]
To apply, please send your CV and a letter of motivation outlining why you are applying for this position and the key qualities you will bring to this role (max. 300 words) to [email protected] by Monday 10th February 2025. Shortlisted candidates can expect to be invited for interview shortly thereafter.
BiOrbic: Research Ireland Centre
BiOrbic is a Research Ireland Centre that performs both blue skies and industry focused research to build and support the development of a bioeconomy in Ireland. It brings together researchers from across a range of disciplines including biotechnology, systems and synthetic biology, chemistry, chemical and bioprocess engineering, agri-food, agriculture, animal and human nutrition, marine and social sciences. BiOrbic is funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland and industry partners.