The EMILDAI team is pleased to share an exciting fully funded PhD opportunity hosted by Dublin City University (DCU) as part of the national research initiative “Decarbonising Ireland: AI-Powered Pathways to Climate Resilience.”

This interdisciplinary project sits at the intersection of law, artificial intelligence, and climate governance, offering candidates the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research addressing the legal and policy challenges of sustainable digital and energy transitions.

About the Project

The PhD research will focus on the legal implications of emerging technologies in the context of climate change, with particular attention to the deployment of AI and data infrastructure in offshore renewable energy environments.

The project will explore key issues such as:

• The regulation of underwater data centres co-located with offshore wind infrastructure
• Environmental and security challenges, including marine ecosystems and critical infrastructure protection
• Legal frameworks across international, EU, and national law

By examining these challenges, the research aims to contribute to the development of robust legal frameworks supporting environmentally responsible and secure digital infrastructure, aligned with Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

Programme and Supervision

This PhD forms part of a collaborative national initiative led by University College Dublin, in partnership with:

• Dublin City University
• Trinity College Dublin
• Technological University Dublin
• University of Limerick
• University College Cork
• ICHEC (Irish Centre for High-End Computing)

At DCU, the successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Goran Dominioni and Prof Edoardo Celeste, with opportunities to engage with the DCU Law and Tech Research Cluster and the Dublin European Law Institute.

Scholarship Benefits

• Fully funded 4-year PhD
• Annual stipend of €31,000 (tax-free) + full tuition fees covered
• Generous budget for travel, training, and research materials
• Access to world-class research facilities, including high-performance computing platforms
• Opportunities for international collaboration, placements, and conference participation
• Integrated training in research methods, policy engagement, and entrepreneurship

The programme begins with an intensive training semester in Dublin, providing a strong foundation for interdisciplinary research.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should:

• Hold a Master’s degree in law, law & economics, public policy, or a related field
• Demonstrate knowledge of environmental law, law of the sea, or AI and digital law
• Possess strong analytical, written, and communication skills
• Relevant professional experience is an advantage

Both EU and non-EU candidates are encouraged to apply.

Key Dates

• Application deadline: 30 April 2026
• Interviews: 8 May 2026
• Start date: 7 September 2026

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the official form:
👉 https://forms.gle/F8TkxmKYPg5Sneqy8

Applicants should then email their CV and motivation letter, indicating their submission to leon.zuhlke@dcu.ie.