About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The call, released on 2 June 2026, forms part of Trinity College Dublin’s broader commitment to advancing nature-based solutions and addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, urban sustainability, public health, and environmental exposure science.
Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, has announced the opening of applications for four fully funded PhD opportunities under the AIB Trinity Climate Hub Trinity Research Doctorate Award (TRDA) scheme.
The positions, based in the School of Psychology, offer an exciting opportunity for early-stage researchers to contribute to interdisciplinary climate, health, and environmental research in Ireland.
Fully Funded PhD Opportunities in Climate, Nature, and Health Research
The four doctoral research positions are fully funded through the AIB Trinity Climate Hub TRDA scheme, supporting innovative, interdisciplinary research at the intersection of psychology, environmental science, and public health.
Successful candidates will join a leading European research environment and contribute to projects focused on nature-based solutions and their impact on human health, behaviour, and environmental resilience.
The PhD opportunities include research themes such as:
Youth-led nature-based solutions for groundwater security in Madagascar
Urban nature-based solutions promoting active travel in Finglas West, Ireland
Implementation and evaluation of nature-based solutions for children’s health
Cross-site environmental exposure science for nature-based solutions and child health
These projects reflect growing global interest in sustainable urban development, climate adaptation, and the role of behavioural science in environmental decision-making.
Research Focus: Nature-Based Solutions for Global Challenges
The doctoral opportunities are designed to support innovative research exploring how nature-based solutions can address interconnected environmental and public health challenges.
Key areas of focus include:
Climate change adaptation and resilience
Sustainable urban mobility and active travel
Environmental exposure and child health outcomes
Water security and ecosystem-based solutions
Community-led environmental interventions
Interdisciplinary environmental psychology research
By integrating psychology with environmental science and policy, the programme aims to generate evidence-based solutions that can inform both local and global sustainability strategies
The PhD positions are funded through the AIB Trinity Climate Hub Trinity Research Doctorate Award (TRDA), a competitive funding scheme supporting high-impact doctoral research at Trinity College Dublin.
The initiative is designed to:
Support innovative climate and sustainability research
Foster interdisciplinary collaboration across academic fields
Strengthen research capacity in environmental and health sciences
Promote evidence-based policy development
Train the next generation of climate and health researchers
Through this funding structure, Trinity College Dublin continues to position itself as a leading institution in climate-focused academic research in Europe.
Why Study at Trinity College Dublin?
Trinity College Dublin is one of Europe’s most prestigious universities, widely recognized for its research excellence, global partnerships, and strong interdisciplinary academic environment.
Doctoral researchers at Trinity benefit from:
Access to world-class research facilities
Collaboration with leading international scholars
Strong links to policy, health, and environmental sectors
A vibrant, multicultural academic community
Opportunities for interdisciplinary doctoral training
Engagement in real-world impact-driven research
The School of Psychology, in particular, plays a key role in advancing research on human behaviour, environmental decision-making, and health outcomes in changing climates.
Eligibility and Ideal Candidates
The programme is open to highly motivated candidates with strong academic backgrounds and an interest in interdisciplinary research.
Ideal applicants are expected to demonstrate:
Academic excellence in psychology, environmental science, public health, or related fields
Interest in climate change, sustainability, and nature-based solutions
Strong research and analytical skills
Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
Commitment to producing high-impact academic research
Candidates with an interest in applied research and policy-relevant outcomes are particularly encouraged to apply.
A Unique Opportunity for Emerging Researchers
These fully funded PhD opportunities provide early-career researchers with a chance to contribute to cutting-edge research addressing some of the most urgent challenges facing global society.
Through structured doctoral training and collaboration with leading experts, successful candidates will gain valuable experience in:
Academic research and publication
Field-based environmental studies
Policy-relevant climate research
Interdisciplinary scientific collaboration
Data analysis and research design
The programme is designed to support researchers in developing careers in academia, policy, and applied environmental science.
Application Information
Interested candidates are encouraged to access the full project descriptions via the official PDF listings provided by Trinity College Dublin’s School of Psychology.
Key details include:
Institution: Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin
Funding Scheme: AIB Trinity Climate Hub TRDA
Number of Positions: 4 fully funded PhD opportunities
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Announcement Date: 2 June 2026
Applicants should carefully review each project description to determine eligibility and research alignment.
Advancing Climate and Health Research in Europe
As climate change continues to impact ecosystems, urban environments, and public health systems worldwide, research institutions such as Trinity College Dublin are playing a critical role in developing innovative, evidence-based solutions.
These PhD opportunities represent a significant investment in the next generation of researchers working at the intersection of climate science, psychology, and sustainability.
For aspiring doctoral candidates, the programme offers a pathway to contribute to meaningful global change while pursuing advanced academic training at one of Europe’s leading universities.
How to apply