Hardiman PhD Research Scholarships, National University of Ireland

We are now offering 30 scholarships for structured PhD programmes. The Hardiman Research Scholarships are fully-funded four-year PhD scholarships, focused on five key areas of research in which the University offers leading expertise. The value of the Research Scholarship is a stipend of €16,000 plus fees.

The Hardiman Research Scholarships offer opportunities for suitably qualified individuals to pursue a postgraduate degree by research. The scholarships support world-class basic research in;

• Humanities and Social Sciences, including Law and Business Studies (Stream A)
• Science, Medicine, Engineering and Informatics (Stream B).

Its primary strategic aim is to attract the best students to NUI Galway and to support their development as innovative individuals who will contribute globally to economic, cultural and social development.

While a majority of postgraduate awards supported by the Hardiman Scholarships will be awarded to European Union (EU) citizens, or to those who are ordinarily resident within a member state of the EU, a proportion of awards will also be offered to exceptional candidates who are ordinarily resident in non- EU member states. Scholarships will be awarded only to those who will engage full-time in research during the period of the award in NUI Galway.

Requirements

• The Hardiman Scholarship programme does not accept applications from persons currently registered as PhD candidates.
• Successful applicants will be expected to have a first or upper second class honours primary degree or equivalent. For students with undergraduate results expressed in GPA (“Grade Point Average”) or QCA form, in the Irish university system a first corresponds to a 3.6 or above and an upper second corresponds to a 3.2 or above (but less than a 3.6).

Guidelines
All applicants will be requested to

1. complete an application form (including a personal statement),
2. provide a 3 page curriculum vitae and
3. provide the names of up to three proposed supervisor(s) and two referees in their application form.

Assessment Process
All applications will be assessed by a panel of evaluators. The panel will consist of a number of assessors with experience of similar review processes. All applications will be assessed by at least 3 assessors from different backgrounds within each stream.

The applications will be assessed under four main headings which reflect the main sections of the application process. Assessors will consider all four elements of the application and allocate scores as follows:

• Personal Research Statement (max. 40 points)
• Academic Qualifications (max. 30 points)
• Referees’ report (max. 20 points)
• Prior Research Experience (max. 10 points)

Applications and all materials relating to applications must be submitted by email and be received before the closing date and time advertised. Applications will not be assessed if they are incomplete or have been received after the advertised closing date. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by two members of the assessment panel.

Application Procedure
The deadline for receipt of applications is 5 pm, on Sunday June 19, 2011.

To Apply
Applicants should submit the following to hrscholar@nuigalway.ie by 5pm, Sunday June 19, 2011:

• Completed application form
• Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 page)

Academic References
We require two references that indicate your academic suitability and potential to undertake postgraduate research. Potential supervisors may not act as referees.

1. Please provide the names and contact details, including email address, for each of your referees in the relevant section on the application form.
2. Download the Academic Reference Form
3. Fill out Section A in two copies of the Academic Reference Form and provide these to your referees.
4. Each of your referees should then complete Section B of the Academic Reference Form and return by email to hrscholar@nuigalway.ie, to be received by 5pm Sunday, June 19, 2011.

Selection Process
Shortlisting of applicants will be undertaken by a panel. All shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. An indicative timescale is given below. Successful candidates will register for a structured PhD in one of the five Colleges.

Official website: www.nuigalway.ie