Fully Funded PhD Fellowship in Targeted Therapeutics (RCSI Dublin)

RCSI is renowned for its innovative, student-focused healthcare education programmes with courses are offered at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels. We are a world-leading health sciences university, ranked in the top 10 in the world for ‘Good Health and Well-being’ by Times Higher Education. Our students enjoy an immersive educational and social experience studying in the heart of Dublin city.

Funded PhD : Functional precision medicine approaches to guide targeted treatments in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
The project will investigate novel therapeutic strategies for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, as part of the Precision Oncology Ireland (POI) programme.

Principal investigator(s) : Opens in new window Prof. Triona Ni Chonghaile, Opens in new window Prof. Siobhan Glavey
Research theme : Cancer

• A fully funded four-year PhD position is available in the Targeted Therapeutics Lab under the supervision of Dr Tríona Ní Chonghaile at the RCSI Dublin.
• The successful candidate will contribute to an interdisciplinary research programme focused on leukemia.
• The project aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms driving resistance to cell death signaling in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia that drives tumour progression and treatment resistance.
• The candidate will gain experience in a series of state-of-art techniques including super-resolution imaging, metabolic profiling and apoptotic profiling. The goal is to identify more effective and less toxic therapeutic strategies for children with high-risk leukemia.
• This project will have a clinical link through close collaboration with haematologist Professor Johnathan Bond.
• This scholarship is a co-funded position, supported by Research Ireland and the Children’s Health Foundation, which will cover PhD stipend (25,000 euro per year), fees (EU fees), consumables, and conference allowance.

Minimum requirements
• Upper second class (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
• IELTS 6.5-7.0 (other English language tests are accepted – please see English language requirements for postgraduate study at RCSI Dublin.
• Highly motivated with good problem-solving skills and organisation skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work on one’s own initiative, as well as in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Desirable candidate specifications
• MSc in a related subject, e.g. cancer biology.
• Previous lab experience in cell biology, molecular biology, cancer research, or related fields is desirable.

Tenure : Four years
Start date : October 2026

Application deadline : 17 August 2026
Shortlisting : 20 August 2026

Please note :
• It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure the application form is completed in full and on time – late and/or incomplete applications will not normally be assessed.
• Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individual feedback to applicants.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview (applicants may attend a virtual interview)
• At this stage only successful candidates will be contacted to submit, CV, transcripts and other relevant documentation.
• Only their referees will also be contacted at this stage for a reference.