Ireland is racing toward major climate goals while thousands of households in social housing still face energy poverty, high bills and poor living conditions. What if your doctoral research could help turn that around by placing citizens at the centre of the transition?
A rare fully funded PhD scholarship at Dublin City University School of Law and Government gives one outstanding candidate the chance to do exactly that. Part of the SEAI-funded SHINE project, this four-year opportunity comes with a €25,000 annual stipend and tuition fees covered up to the non-EU rate. The successful applicant will join an interdisciplinary team exploring how citizen science can support a just transition in Ireland’s social housing sector. Applications close on 8 July 2026 at 17:00.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Ireland (Europe)
- Host University: Dublin City University School of Law and Government
- Scholarship Type: PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Scholarship Benefits: Full tuition fee, Living stipend, etc.
Why This Fully Funded PhD Opportunity Matters Right Now
Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and national decarbonisation targets depend heavily on the social housing sector. Retrofitting homes, improving energy efficiency and ensuring residents are not left behind are central to meeting 2030 and 2050 goals. Yet energy poverty remains a stubborn reality for many vulnerable households.
The SHINE project tackles this challenge head-on. Led by Dr Valesca Lima from the School of Law and Government and Professor Stephen Daniels from the School of Electronic Engineering, SHINE uses citizen science to understand how social housing residents engage with just transitions. It combines policy, governance and technological systems to develop intelligent, people-centred solutions that address energy poverty while advancing climate resilience.
This is not abstract research. It is about real homes, real families and policies that can deliver both environmental progress and social fairness. The PhD researcher will help shape how Ireland, and potentially other countries, designs housing strategies and climate action plans that work for everyone.
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What the SHINE PhD Researcher Will Actually Do
The successful candidate will develop their own doctoral project inside the broader SHINE framework. The focus is socio-technical policy and governance research. This suits candidates interested in public policy, governance, citizen engagement, housing and the interaction between people and technology.
Possible research directions include:
- How citizen science data collected from social housing can inform national housing strategies and retrofit programmes.
- The role of real-time feedback loops (from sensors or digital tools) in improving household energy literacy and encouraging behaviour change.
- Governance frameworks that embed just transition principles into housing regulations and climate action plans.
- Policy innovations that ensure the benefits of decarbonisation reach vulnerable communities equitably.
Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that embrace the radical interdisciplinarity of the team — linking law and government expertise in citizen participation and housing policy with engineering perspectives on technology and data. The goal is research that fundamentally addresses energy poverty and well-being.
Funding Package and Practical Benefits
This is a genuinely attractive fully funded PhD scholarship Ireland 2026:
- Stipend: €25,000 per year for four years.
- Fees: Fully covered up to the non-EU rate.
- Duration: Four years full-time, starting September 2026.
- Location: Based in Dublin for the full programme.
- Support: Supervision from leading researchers, skills development opportunities and a collaborative DCU research environment.
The School of Law and Government provides dedicated workspaces, PhD-level training in research design and methods, professional development and competitive funding support for fieldwork and conferences. International candidates are explicitly welcome, and the fee coverage up to the non-EU rate removes one of the biggest barriers for students from outside Europe.
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Who Should Apply? Eligibility Requirements
The position is open to candidates with a strong interest in social justice and the intersection of policy, technology and housing. Minimum requirements include:
- A Level 8 Bachelor’s degree (honours) in Political Science, Public Policy, Sociology, Human Geography, Education or a related field.
- OR a Level 8 degree in an engineering or environmental field (such as Data Science, Environmental Science or Sustainable Systems) combined with a demonstrated interest in social justice.
- A Master’s degree (Level 9) in a relevant field is desirable but not essential.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview in mid-July. Non-native English speakers may need to demonstrate English language proficiency.
The ideal candidate will show they understand the interdisciplinary nature of the project and can connect with themes of policy design, citizen engagement, housing and technological systems. Previous experience in participatory research, housing policy, climate governance or citizen science is an advantage but not required.
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How to Apply for the DCU SHINE PhD Scholarship
The application process is straightforward but requires care and preparation. You must submit:
- A Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages).
- A Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) that clearly explains your interest in the project, how your background prepares you for interdisciplinary research, and initial ideas for your doctoral project within the SHINE framework.
Send completed applications to tracymae.ildefonso@dcu.ie by 17:00 on 8 July 2026.
Informal inquiries about the research project can be directed to Dr Valesca Lima at valesca.lima@dcu.ie.
Pro tips for a strong application:
- Read the full project description in the official advert carefully.
- Show genuine understanding of just transition principles and energy poverty challenges in Ireland.
- Demonstrate how your proposed research would benefit from collaboration between policy/governance and technology perspectives.
- Be specific about the societal impact you hope to achieve.
Full details and official application guidance are available in the PDF advert.
Why DCU School of Law and Government?
Dublin City University’s School of Law and Government is known for research-active staff, supportive supervision and a focus on real-world policy impact. Dr Valesca Lima brings deep expertise in citizen participation, housing policy, housing justice and democratic innovations. Her work spans Ireland, Portugal and Latin America and aligns perfectly with SHINE’s goals of empowering citizens in housing and climate decision-making.
DCU’s location in Dublin gives researchers direct access to policymakers, housing associations, NGOs and government bodies working on climate and housing. The university’s collaborative culture and investment in doctoral training create an environment where PhD candidates can thrive and shape their own research direction.
Take the Next Step Toward Impactful Research
This fully funded PhD scholarship Ireland 2026 represents more than financial support. It is an invitation to contribute to one of the most pressing challenges of our time: ensuring that Ireland’s green transition is also a just transition for the people who need it most.
If you are passionate about citizen science, housing policy, energy justice or governance for sustainability, this opportunity at DCU could be the platform you need. With applications closing soon, now is the time to prepare your materials and reach out with any questions.
Official advert and full details: https://www.dcu.ie/sites/default/files/inline-files/phd-adverts-lg-shine-2026_1.pdf
School of Law and Government, DCU: https://www.dcu.ie/lawandgovernment
Dr Valesca Lima profile: https://www.dcu.ie/lawandgovernment/people/valesca-lima
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI): https://www.seai.ie/
The deadline is 8 July 2026 at 17:00. Start your application today and position yourself to make a real difference through rigorous, interdisciplinary research that puts people at the heart of climate action.
This could be the fully funded PhD that defines your career and helps shape a fairer, more sustainable future for Irish communities and beyond.