DCU School of Law and Government Scholarship

A fully funded doctoral scholarship is available for full-time PhD study at Dublin City University School in the School of Law and Government, starting in September 2026. The scholarship covers a stipend and tuition fees for a period of four years. The successful candidate will be based in Dublin for the duration of the programme. We welcome applications from Ireland, the EU and international candidates.

About the Project

This PhD position forms part of an SEAI-funded research project “SHINE” led by Dr Valesca Lima from the School of Law and Government and Professor Stephen Daniels from the School of Electronic Engineering. SHINE is a four-year interdisciplinary project utilising citizen science to explore how social housing residents engage with just transitions SHINE is an interdisciplinary project aiming to develop an understanding of national clean energy and climate ambitions and how these relate to the social housing sector, which holds significant relevance for national decarbonisation targets. Given the imperative to engage with citizens and support vulnerable households to ensure climate resilience, behavioural change and ensure a Just Transition, it is critically important to focus on intelligent solutions that address energy poverty using new and emerging technologies. The PhD researcher will develop their own project within this broader framework, and are encouraged to consider methodologies that both embrace the radical interdisciplinarity of the SHINE project and aim to fundamentally address the core societal challenge of energy poverty and well-being.

PhD Research Focus

We are open to different approaches, and applicants are encouraged to address in the application how they acknowledge the interdisciplinarity of the project team and connect with the themes of policy design, citizen engagement, housing, and technological systems.

Indicative Research Theme

The successful applicant will work as part of an interdisciplinary team, and will focus on socio-technical policy and governance research for their doctoral project. This approach will suit applicants interested in public policy, governance, and human-data and humantechnology interaction. The project may explore how citizen science data can inform national housing strategies, or how real-time feedback loops influence household energy literacy and behaviours. It is expected that the candidate will work with public policy frameworks, housing regulations, or climate action plans, and develop a research question grounded in just transition governance for housing and policy innovation. DCU Research Environment Successful candidates will join a supportive and collaborative DCU research environment. You will receive supervision, opportunities for skills development, and encouragement to shape your own research direction.

• Table of Content
• About Dublin City University
• DCU School of Law and Government PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of DCU School of Law and Government PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for DCU School of Law and Government PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

DCU School of Law and Government PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of DCU School of Law and Government PhD Scholarship

• Stipend: €25,000 per annum
• Fees: Covered up to the non-EU rate for four years

Requirements for DCU School of Law and Government PhD Scholarship Qualification

• Level 8 Bachelor’s Degree in areas such as Political Science, Public Policy, Sociology, Human Geography, Education, OR/AND in an engineering/environmental field (e.g., Data Science, Environmental Science, or Sustainable Systems) with a strong interest in social justice.
• Master’s degree (Level 9) in a relevant field (desirable).

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages)
• Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages).

Please send your completed application to: [email protected] .

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview online (mid-July). Successful applicants may be required to demonstrate English language proficiency.

Informal inquiries may be directed to Dr Valesca Lima ([email protected])

For more information, kindly visit DCU scholarship webpage.