About the Project
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time funded PhD scholarship starting in October 2026 affiliated to the Discipline of Economics 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
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic, debilitating, and multi-systemic disease affecting the nervous, immune, endocrine, and metabolic systems. This full-time funded PhD is part of a large EU-HORIZON project titled ‘Biological Evidence and Mechanism-based Disease Classification for the Improved Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment of ME/CFS (DISCOVER-ME)’. The PhD will form part of Work Package 7 (WP7) of DISCOVER-ME, which assesses the individual, societal, and economic burden of ME/CFS to inform policy and care frameworks. The objectives of WP7 are to:
- Analyse the individual, societal, and health system burden of ME/CFS using mixed methods across European contexts;
- Capture the social realities of living with ME/CFS, including impacts on education, employment, family life, and access to care;
- Quantify the economic costs of ME/CFS at individual, household, and societal levels;
- Identify unmet needs and practical recommendations for supportive care, policy change, and health system responsiveness; and,
- Ensure the structured inclusion of SSH and PPI perspectives in interpreting and contextualising the biological and clinical findings of the project.
The successful candidate will work with the Work Package Leader, Professor John Cullinan, and a Postdoctoral Researcher to achieve these objectives. They will also fulfil the requirements of the Discipline of Economics PhD Programme.
Living Allowance (Stipend): €25,000 per annum (tax-exempt scholarship award)
University Fees: Approx. €6,000 per annum (covered by scholarship).
Start Date: 01/10/2026 (or soon after).
Academic Entry Requirements: First or high second class (2:1) master’s degree in health economics, economics, or related discipline.
To Apply for the Scholarship: Applicants should submit the following required documents to Professor John Cullinan (john.cullinan@universityofgalway.ie) with the subject line: “PhD Application – Impact of ME/CFS”:
- CV (including two referees)
- 1-2 page personal statement outlining: Why you are interested in this project; Why you are a strong candidate for this PhD.
Contact Name: Professor John Cullinan
Contact Email: john.cullinan@universityofgalway.ie
Application Deadline: 21/08/2026 at 17:00 (Irish time)
Primary Supervisor: John Cullinan
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