Fully Funded PhD Scholarship in Decarb-AI (A Innovate for Ireland Centre) ICHEC & School of Computer Science

About the Project

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for full-time funded PhD scholarship starting in September 2026 affiliated to the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) and the School of Computer Science at the University of Galway.

University of Galway

Located in the vibrant cultural city of Galway in the west of Ireland, the University of Galway has a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence.

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

Detailed Project Description

Ireland’s first Innovate for Ireland National Centre “Decarb-AI: AI-Powered Pathways to Climate Resilience” is a €5.7 million national centre funded jointly by AIB and Research Ireland. The centre will host 30 iScholars between 2025 and 2031 across three intakes.

iScholars will undertake fully-funded, four-year PhDs under the supervision of leading researchers from University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Technological University Dublin, University of Limerick, University of Galway (via ICHEC – Irish Centre for High-End Computing) and University College Cork.

You will be placed at the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC in Dublin or Galway) and supervised by Dr. Venkatesh Kannan, with co-supervision at the School of Computer Science and potentially at Decarb-AI partner institutions.

As an iScholar, you will address a critical gap in the field of computational research: the absence of robust models linking research investment, digital infrastructure/platforms usage, their environmental impact, desired policy/research outcomes, and ultimately measurable environmental/climate benefits.

• The research will investigate the environmental footprint of AI and high-performance computing (HPC), while developing frameworks to model and evaluate how energy-intensive digital research infrastructures contribute to environmental, societal and policy objectives.
• The project combines sustainable AI infrastructure, green HPC, and research governance to support more transparent, energy-efficient, and impact-oriented computational research funding.

Living allowance (Stipend): €31,000 per annum, tax-exempt scholarship award

University fees: fully covered

Start date: September 2026

Academic Entry Requirements: We welcome applicants with a strong MSc/MA from a high-ranking university in computer science, engineering, environmental science, or related fields.

You should be ambitious, creative, and motivated to lead climate solutions using deep tech and interdisciplinary research.

To Apply for the Scholarship: Please send the following (with subject title “Decarb-AI PhD application 2026 - your name”)

• A 1-page research proposal articulating your understanding and ideas on the PhD topic
• Your transcripts
• Your Curriculum Vitae
• A 1-page cover letter including names and contact details of two referees