Post Doctoral Researcher - BIOCHAR Project (Life Cycle Assessment) - Maynooth University, Ireland

About the Position

Maynooth University invites applications for a 36-month postdoctoral researcher position on the BIOCHAR project, focused on life cycle assessment of biochar systems. The researcher will quantify the environmental and climate performance of biochar production and application pathways, from feedstock sourcing and pyrolysis to field application, using established LCA methods and Irish and European datasets. The post is funded at EUR 44,273 per annum on a fixed-term contract and sits within the university's expanding research portfolio on sustainable bioresources and the circular economy.

Biochar is increasingly promoted as a negative-emissions and soil-improvement technology, but credible climate accounting depends on rigorous assessment of the full production and use chain. The postdoctoral researcher will build and refine life cycle models, work with project partners on primary data collection, and translate results into peer-reviewed publications and policy-relevant outputs. The role offers experience across LCA software, uncertainty analysis and interaction with agronomy and engineering colleagues.

Candidate Profile and Environment

Applicants hold a PhD in environmental science, environmental engineering, chemistry, process engineering or a closely related discipline, with demonstrable experience in life cycle assessment or comparable environmental systems analysis. Familiarity with carbon accounting, agricultural systems or negative-emissions technologies is an advantage. The postdoctoral researcher joins an active research group at Maynooth with links to Irish and European biochar and bioeconomy networks, and the project timeline supports conference participation and international collaboration.

Highlights

• 36-month fixed-term postdoctoral contract
• EUR 44,273 per annum salary
• Life cycle assessment of biochar production and use pathways
• Carbon accounting and negative-emissions technologies
• Peer-reviewed publication and policy-relevant outputs
• Collaboration across agronomy, engineering and climate research

Funding and Duration

Component	Details
Award or position	Postdoctoral research position
Stipend / salary	EUR 44,273 per annum (salaried postdoctoral position, 36 months)
Duration	36 months (fixed-term postdoctoral contract)

Eligibility and Requirements

Component	Details
Applicant eligibility	Worldwide
Academic preparation	PhD in environmental science, engineering, chemistry or a related field with LCA experience
Language	English proficiency required

Application dates

Component	Details
Recruitment status	Open
Deadline	2 November 2026
Location	Maynooth, Ireland

About Maynooth University

Maynooth University, near Dublin, is Ireland's fastest-growing university and one of its oldest seated institutions, tracing its origins to 1795. It combines a strong research profile in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering and education with close student-faculty ratios. The university hosts funded research centres across climate, smart technologies, social science and health, and its postdoctoral researchers work on nationally and internationally funded projects, including EU Horizon and Science Foundation Ireland programmes. Research vacancies are published through the university's Corehr recruitment portal with full job specifications.

Official details: Read the programme or project information

Application route: Follow the official application instructions

Contact

Questions about this position, eligibility or the application process should be raised through the contact channel given on the official announcement page (see the Official Link section above). Always quote the position reference in your message so the admissions or HR team can route your enquiry quickly.

Important Notes

• Application deadline: 2 November 2026 - late or incomplete applications are normally not considered.
• Listing details were recorded from the official source at the time of publication; always confirm the latest requirements on the official page before applying.
• Prepare the documents listed in the eligibility and application sections before starting the online form - transcripts, CV and references take the longest to collect.

How to Apply

Submit your application through the official page before the deadline: 2 November 2026. Read the eligibility requirements carefully and prepare all requested documents - early applications are strongly recommended for competitive awards.

Open the official application page ↗

Application guides

• University Motivation Letter: Explain Your Preparation and Course Choice
• Academic CV for PhD Applications: Structure and an Example

Official Link

https://my.corehr.com/pls/nuimrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.display_form?p_company=1&p_internal_external=E&p_display_in_irish=N&p_process_type=&p_applicant_no=&p_form_profile_detail=&p_display_apply_ind=Y&p_refresh_search=Y&p_recruitment_id=044683