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We are seeking a motivated and talented researcher to join the Research Ireland PUreTex project, which examines the valorisation of waste textiles into high-value materials. The PhD researcher will work closely with the PUreTex team, which includes those from Engineering, Business, Psychology, Chemistry and Industry. The wider PUreTex project is looking at new ways to recycle post-consumer textile waste into useful building blocks for new, more sustainable and circular, materials and products. The PhD student project will focus on the latter, taking these building blocks (chemicals, molecules and Polyurethane foams) and including them in material and component development and testing towards high-value products primarily for the construction sector, but with the possibility of other sectoral uses.
Activities: Some of the core PhD research activities will include (but not limited to)
- Investigating multiple material development routes from polyols and Polyurethane foams, including thermal or acoustic insulation, composites, cement or geopolymer based materials
- Performing laboratory thermal, moisture and strength tests following relevant European or National Standards (e.g. compression, thermal conductivity, water absorption)
- Investigating means of enhancing and optimising material or product performance, including working collaboratively with other disciplines on specific formulations that result in optimised behaviours in end-products.
- Analyse results and develop relationships using statistical methods and other analytical approaches such as finite element, and predictive techniques.
Application Procedure
- A 1-page cover letter, stating motivation and explicitly referring to how your past experience and achievements relate to: 1. Activities, 2. Knowledge and Experience, and 3. Skills and Competencies, listed in this advertisement.
- A CV, including experience, undergraduate results, postgraduate results (if applicable), and publications (if applicable)
- References: Names and email addresses of two referees
Please send the above to Dr. Aimee Byrne (she/her) by 12 Noon (GMT), 9th July 2026
Email Address:
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