PhD Full Scholarship in Horticulture at Teagasc Research Center and University College Dublin in Ireland

Walsh Scholars Opportunity: Precision Apple Crop Load Management (Ref Number 2025047)

Do you have a passion for sustainable agriculture and horticulture? Precision Apple Crop Load Management is totally Funded by the Teagasc Research Center and University College Dublin (UCD). It offers great funding and professional development. This will lead to careers in research, agriculture, or academia. This project can transform the production of Irish apples through improved fruit quality.

Project Background

For apple production in Ireland, there are some very specific challenges, such as cold springs, shorter growing seasons, and a generally lower uptake of precision management practices. These factors result in inconsistent yields, poor fruit quality, and decreased grower profitability. This PhD project will overcome these challenges:

• Comparing hand, mechanical, and chemical thinning methods to optimize fruit size, quality, and yield.
• A new innate skew of the air porosity tensor.
• Promoting sustainable apple production practices to mitigate alternate bearing and improve long-term orchard productivity.

The research will combine field experiments, advanced modeling, and precision agriculture technologies to develop practical solutions for the Irish horticulture sector.

Scholarship Benefits

• Stipend: €25,000 p.a. (tax-free).
• Tuition Contribution: Up to €6,000 p.a. (balance funded by the university).
• Funding for research (e.g., fieldwork, conferences, and travel).
• Professional Development: Training opportunities at Teagasc and UCD, including workshops in precision agriculture, data analytics, and scientific communication.
• Networking: Collaborate with top researchers in Teagasc, UCD, and other international partners (IRTA Mas Badia, Spain).

How to Apply

Please compile the following documents into a single PDF file and email it to given:

• Dr. Alberto Ramos Luz: alberto.ramosluz@teagasc.ie
• Cc Dr. Syed Bilal Hussain: syedbilal.hussain@ucd.ie

Required Documents:

1. Cover Letter (1 page) detailing your motivation, research interests, and relevance to the project.
2. Submit a curriculum vitae that shows your qualifications.
3. Referee contact details for a minimum of two referees.
4. Official Transcripts of undergraduate and/or postgraduate degrees.

Email Subject Line: “Irish PACMAN ref 2025047”

Application Deadline: March 31st, 2025 (11:59 am Irish time)

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

Project Start Date

• January 2026

Supervisors

• Dr. Alberto Ramos Luz: He is a well-trained person in handling orchards and Agriculture.
• Dr. Syed Bilal Hussain: Specialization in plant physiology and sustainable horticulture.
• Dr. Luis Gonzalez Nieto: He is an International collaborator. He has a modeling background.

Why Join This Project?

This PhD provides a remarkable opportunity to engage genuine challenges associated with Ireland’s apple industry. You’ll employ cutting-edge precision agriculture techniques to increase crop yields and sustainability. The project can blend fieldwork with cutting-edge data analysis and modeling. Your work is impactful because this research has direct applications for growers. You’ll work on a team for collaboration with international outreach. And it’s ideal for people interested in sustainable food production and cutting-edge horticulture.

Research Objectives

1. Evaluate Thinning Techniques: Assess the effectiveness of different thinning methods (hand, mechanical, and chemical) under Irish climatic conditions.
2. Build Predictive Models: Further develop and validate early fruit set predictive models that could be used to inform orchard management practices.
3. Up Sustainability: Look for ways to decrease resource consumption (water, fertilizers, etc.) and still produce a high-quality output.
4. Mitigate Alternate Bearing: Investigate methods to stabilize annual yields and improve orchard profitability.

Requirements

• Academic Background: A first- or upper-second-class honors degree or Master’s degree in Horticulture, Plant Science, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Desirable Experience:
  • Orchard management, plant physiology, or crop modeling.
  • Familiarity with precision agriculture technologies (e.g., sensors, drones).
  • Ability to work with statistical analysis and interpretation of data (e.g., R, Python).
• Qualifications: Must be self-motivated, organized, and willing to work in both field and laboratory environments.
• English language proficiency: Non-native speakers must satisfy the minimum requirements of UCD.

Further Information

For inquiries or additional details, contact:

• Dr. Alberto Ramos Luz: alberto.ramosluz@teagasc.ie
• Dr. Syed Bilal Hussain: syedbilal.hussain@ucd.ie

This is a great opportunity to advance your career in horticulture while making a difference in sustainable agriculture! Apply by March 31st, 2025.