Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: Sustainable Wheat Milling – South East Technological University
About SETU
Applications are open for a PhD Sustainable Wheat Milling Ireland position at South East Technological University in Waterford. The FIELD2FLOUR Ireland project investigates climate-resilient spring wheat varieties to re-establish a sustainable wheat milling sector in Ireland. The SETU Department of Land Sciences is looking for a PhD student to work on the FIELD2FLOUR Ireland project. Funded by the Irish Department of Food, Agriculture and the Marine, FIELD2FLOUR Ireland aims to highlight the potential of re-establishing a sustainable wheat milling sector in Ireland. Collaborating with Irish grain merchants and farmers, the project team will trial new international spring wheat varieties at selected sites across the country. The successful candidate will be part of a wider national team and collaborate with other researchers and students in Teagasc, UCC, UCD and Irish food and agricultural companies.
Scholarship Overview
Project Summary
SETU will conduct climate-resilient modelling/stress testing under future climate projections. The successful PhD candidate will be part of SETU’s team investigating the effect of abiotic stress on wheat varieties and future proof the selection of spring wheat varieties for milling wheat in Ireland. The varieties will be grown in SETU’s facilities in West Campus Carriganore under controlled temperature, relative humidity, light and irrigation.
Why This Scholarship Stands Out
This PhD is unique because it addresses a strategic goal for Ireland: re-establishing a sustainable wheat milling sector. Ireland currently imports significant quantities of milling wheat; this project aims to change that by trialing international spring wheat varieties and assessing their suitability for Irish conditions. The research combines controlled environment experiments (climate-resilient modelling) with grain quality assessment and digital technologies for stress prediction. You will collaborate with Teagasc, UCC, UCD, and Irish grain merchants and farmers. For a student interested in crop science, plant physiology, and sustainable agriculture, this is an opportunity to contribute directly to Irish food security.
Main Tasks
- Monitor plant growth under multiple meteorological condition scenarios and evaluating the impact on grain quality
- Examine the impact of extreme meteorological events (heatwaves, dry spells, heavy rainfall) and the stress induced on the plants’ life cycle
- Identify stress and predict wheat growth and quality traits using digital technologies
Candidate Profile and Eligibility
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Honours Degree (minimum 2:1) in Agriculture, Food, Horticulture, Forestry, or Environmental Sciences |
| Knowledge | Knowledge of food production systems |
| Research Experience | Experience in field or lab-based research relevant to agri-food systems or environmental sciences |
| Independence | Experience in working independently in field or laboratory environments |
| Data Skills | Experience in collecting, recording, and analysing field or lab data |
| Communication | Experience in communicating research findings and preparing scientific reports |
| Teamwork | Evidence of teamwork skills |
Desirable:
- Strong academic background in plant and/or crop science
- Strong academic background in food analysis
- Postgraduate diploma/MSc in Agriculture, Food, Analytical and/or Environmental Sciences
- Knowledge of plant physiology
- Experience with wheat cultivation, cereal crop management, or field-based agricultural research
- Familiarity with laboratory analytical techniques relevant to plant or grain quality assessment
- Familiarity with sustainable crop production and climate adaptation strategies
- Knowledge of plant responses to climatic stresses
- Familiarity with statistical analysis and interpretation of experimental data
- Ability to apply statistical methods using R, SAS, SPSS, or similar
- A full driver’s licence
What They Offer
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Stipend | €25,000 per annum (tax free) |
| Tuition Fees | €5,750 per annum covered |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Start Date | September 1, 2026 |
| Location | Waterford, Ireland |
| Research Team | National collaboration with Teagasc, UCC, UCD, and industry |
My Application Tips
- Highlight your crop science or plant physiology background – Wheat cultivation and abiotic stress responses
- Emphasise experience with controlled environment experiments – Growth chambers, climate stress testing
- Show grain quality assessment experience – Milling characteristics, protein content, etc.
- Demonstrate knowledge of climate adaptation strategies – Future climate projections for Ireland
- Mention any experience with digital technologies for stress prediction – This is a project component
Who Should Apply
This PhD is perfect for a student with a background in agriculture, crop science, or environmental sciences who wants to work on food security and sustainable wheat production in Ireland. If you are interested in how spring wheat varieties respond to abiotic stress (heatwaves, drought, heavy rainfall), and want to use controlled environment experiments to future-proof wheat selection, this project offers training across plant physiology, grain quality assessment, and climate-resilient modelling. improve crop monitoring, ingredient extraction, and shelf-life prediction, this project offers training across digital agriculture, image analysis, and food science.
How to Apply
Complete the online Application Form from the SETU website quoting the advert reference number.
For informal queries, contact: Dr Anastasia Ktenioudaki – Anastasia.ktenioudaki@setu.ie
For application queries: Postgraduate Admissions Office – researchadmissions@setu.ie or +353 (0)51 302883
Application Deadline: June 12, 2026 – 4:00 PM Irish Time
