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🧬 Fully Funded PhD Position in Antimicrobial Resistance & Food Chain Research | Teagasc & University of Galway
Institution: Teagasc – Agriculture and Food Development Authority
University: University of Galway – School of Medicine
📍 Location: Teagasc Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland
💼 Position: Walsh Scholars PhD Researcher
🔬 Research Area: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) | Food Microbiology | Food Safety | One Health | Abattoir Environment | Wastewater | Molecular Biology | Microbial Genomics
Walsh Scholars Reference Number: 2025221
Anticipated Start Date: September 2026
Teagasc is inviting applications for a fully funded Walsh Scholars PhD position focused on assessing the role of abattoirs and their environment in the transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food chain.
The successful candidate will be registered with the University of Galway, School of Medicine, while being based at the Teagasc Food Research Centre in Ashtown, Dublin.
This PhD project addresses a major global public-health challenge: the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes across the food chain.
The research will investigate AMR at the critical interface between food-producing animals, abattoir environments, wastewater, and the wider food-chain ecosystem, helping to improve scientific understanding of AMR transmission pathways and identify opportunities for effective mitigation.
🔬 What You’ll Work On
Antimicrobial Resistance in the Food Chain
Investigate the occurrence, diversity, and abundance of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) associated with food production and abattoir environments.
Abattoir Environment & AMR Transmission
Study the role of the slaughterhouse environment in the emergence, persistence, and transmission of antimicrobial resistance.
The project will investigate potential AMR links between animals entering the abattoir, processing environments, wastewater, and downstream environmental pathways.
Pork & Beef Production Systems
Assess antimicrobial resistance profiles at the slaughterhouse interface for pork and beef production systems.
Wastewater Analysis
Characterize the AMR content and treatment efficacy of abattoir wastewater, including the diversity and abundance of resistant bacteria and resistance genes before and after treatment.
Microbiology & Molecular Methods
Apply targeted microbiological and molecular approaches to investigate resistant bacteria, resistance genes, and AMR transmission pathways.
Whole Genome Sequencing
Use whole genome sequencing to support the identification and analysis of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and transmission pathways.
AMR Mitigation & One Health Research
Integrate findings to identify potential AMR mitigation opportunities and support research aligned with the One Health approach, linking human, animal, food, and environmental health.
🎯 Your Role
The selected Walsh Scholar will be expected to:
- Investigate antimicrobial resistance at the abattoir and food-production interface.
- Map the diversity and abundance of resistant bacteria and resistance genes in abattoir environments and meat.
- Characterize antimicrobial resistance in abattoir wastewater.
- Assess the effectiveness of wastewater treatment in reducing resistant bacteria and resistance genes.
- Study potential transmission pathways between animals, food-processing environments, wastewater, and the wider environment.
- Conduct targeted microbiological and molecular analyses.
- Apply whole genome sequencing to investigate AMR dynamics.
- Perform statistical and comparative analyses of research data.
- Integrate findings to identify opportunities for AMR mitigation and risk reduction.
- Work as part of the DAFM-funded ADDRESS project investigating antimicrobial resistance dynamics, evolution, and emerging threats in the environment.
- Collaborate with researchers at Teagasc, University of Galway, and Maynooth University.
- Participate in scientific training, research dissemination, and professional development activities.
🧪 Research Focus
Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing global public-health concern with important consequences for human health, animal welfare, food safety, and food production.
While food production is recognised as an important part of the wider AMR ecosystem, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the role of abattoirs and their associated environments in the transmission and persistence of resistant bacteria and resistance genes.
This PhD project will address these gaps by investigating:
- Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in abattoir environments
- Antimicrobial resistance genes in food-production systems
- AMR profiles associated with pork and beef
- The role of wastewater in AMR transmission
- The effectiveness of wastewater treatment
- Transmission pathways between animals, abattoirs, food, and the environment
- Opportunities for AMR mitigation and risk reduction
The project combines microbiology, molecular biology, whole genome sequencing, statistical analysis, and comparative research approaches.
👨🔬 Supervision
The PhD project will be supervised by:
Dr. Kaye Burgess – Teagasc
Dr. Burgess’s research focuses on understanding the behaviour and virulence of foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms in food production, using a One Health approach.
She will lead project coordination, student supervision, delivery of project goals, and integration of the research within the Teagasc programme.
Prof. Dearbháile Morris – University of Galway
Co-supervision will be provided by Prof. Dearbháile Morris at the School of Medicine, University of Galway.
Prof. Morris is Professor of Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health and Head of the Discipline of Bacteriology at the University of Galway, with internationally recognised expertise in antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and epidemiology.
👨🔬 Ideal Candidates
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A first- or second-class honours degree (2.1 equivalent) in Microbiology, Food Science, or a related and relevant discipline.
- Strong motivation and enthusiasm to develop technical expertise across scientific disciplines.
- Interest in antimicrobial resistance, microbiology, food safety, and One Health research.
- Ability and willingness to undertake field-based sample collection as part of the research project.
- The ability to meet postgraduate admission and language requirements of the registering university.
- A valid full clean Irish or EU driving licence, or an equivalent foreign driving licence recognised by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) of Ireland.
⭐ Preferred Skills & Experience
The following are considered strong advantages:
- Experience handling pathogenic microorganisms
- Experience with molecular biology techniques
- Background in microbiology or food microbiology
- Knowledge of antimicrobial resistance
- Interest in foodborne pathogens
- Experience with microbiological laboratory techniques
- Data analysis and statistical skills
- Interest in whole genome sequencing and microbial genomics
- Previous research experience
🌟 What You’ll Gain
- Opportunity to undertake a structured four-year PhD programme.
- Full funding through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
- Research training in antimicrobial resistance and One Health.
- Access to a multidisciplinary research environment at Teagasc and partner universities.
- Training in microbiology, molecular methods, and whole genome sequencing.
- Opportunities to develop expertise in statistical and analytical research methods.
- Professional development in communication, project management, and stakeholder engagement.
- Expert-led training, workshops, and tailored professional development.
- Opportunities to present research at national and international scientific conferences.
- Networking and engagement with the wider research community.
- Support for career development across research, industry, advisory services, and policy.
- Potential opportunity for an international research placement of up to 12 weeks through the Teagasc International Training Awards.
- Opportunity to contribute to the DAFM-funded ADDRESS project.
💰 Funding Details
This is a funded PhD position supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Funding Includes:
- Stipend: €25,000 per annum
- University Fees: Covered up to €6,000 per annum
Programme Duration: Structured Four-Year PhD Programme
💼 Position Details
Position: Walsh Scholars PhD Researcher
Reference Number: 2025221
Institution: Teagasc
Registering University: University of Galway
School: School of Medicine
Research Location: Teagasc Food Research Centre
Location: Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland
Research Collaboration: Teagasc | University of Galway | Maynooth University
Project: ADDRESS – AMR Dynamics, Evolution and Emerging Threats in the Environment
Funding Organisation: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)
Anticipated Start Date: September 2026
Research Areas: Antimicrobial Resistance | Food Microbiology | Food Safety | One Health | Environmental Microbiology | Molecular Biology | Whole Genome Sequencing
📄 How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit an electronic copy of:
- CV
- Contact Details for Two Referees
- Letter of Motivation outlining your interest in the project and why you would be a suitable candidate
Applications should be sent to:
Dr. Kaye Burgess
Email: kaye.burgess@teagasc.ie
Please use the following email subject line:
WS REF 2025221
📅 Key Dates
Application Deadline: Tuesday, August 25, 2026, by 5:00 PM
Interviews: Expected to be held online in mid-to-late August 2026
Proposed Start Date: September 2026
📌 Job Details
Institution: Teagasc – Agriculture and Food Development Authority
Programme: Walsh Scholars Programme
Position: Fully Funded PhD Researcher
Reference Number: 2025221
University: University of Galway
School: School of Medicine
Location: Teagasc Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland
Duration: 4 Years
Start Date: September 2026
Funding: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)
Stipend: €25,000 Per Annum
University Fees: Covered up to €6,000 Per Annum
Qualification: First- or Second-Class Honours Degree (2.1 Equivalent)
Eligible Backgrounds: Microbiology | Food Science | Related Disciplines
Key Skills: Microbiology | Molecular Biology | AMR Research | Food Safety | Data Analysis | Whole Genome Sequencing
Preferred Experience: Pathogenic Microorganisms | Molecular Biology Techniques | Research Experience
Research Areas: Antimicrobial Resistance | Food Chain | Abattoir Environment | Wastewater | One Health | Foodborne Pathogens
Application Mode: Email
Application Email: kaye.burgess@teagasc.ie
Required Documents: CV | Two Referees | Motivation Letter
Email Subject: WS REF 2025221
Application Deadline: August 25, 2026, 5:00 PM
Interviews: Online, Mid-to-Late August 2026
International Training: Potential research placement of up to 12 weeks
Category
Fully Funded PhD | Walsh Scholars PhD | Antimicrobial Resistance | AMR Research | Food Microbiology | Food Safety | One Health | Environmental Microbiology | Molecular Biology | Microbial Genomics | University of Galway Jobs | Teagasc Jobs | Ireland PhD Positions
🏷️ Tags
#PhDPosition #FullyFundedPhD #WalshScholars #AntimicrobialResistance #AMR #FoodMicrobiology #FoodSafety #OneHealth #Microbiology #MolecularBiology
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