PhD Scholarship in GAELFAM project

The University of Galway invites applications for a full-time funded PhD scholarship in Linguistics, within the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies. The role will commence on 1 September 2026 and run until 14 December 2027, subject to satisfactory progress. The deadline for applications is 30 April 2026 at 17:00 (European/Dublin time).

Offer Description

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full time funded PhD scholarship. Candidate will work closely with Supervisor Dr Cassie Smith Christmas in applying for external funding for years three and four of PhD funding.

University of Galway

Located in the vibrant cultural city of Galway in the west of Ireland, the University of Galway has a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence. For information on moving to Ireland please see .

Detailed Project Description:

Gaeltacht Families and Multilingualism ('GAELFAM') investigates the everyday linguistic experiences of families who reside in the Irish Gaeltacht and who use a language other than/in addition to Irish or English in the home. The PhD researcher will focus on adolescents who fit this profile and will carry out a number of tasks to enable the successful completion of their PhD thesis and viva voce examination. The PhD researcher will gain valuable skills in conducting ethnographic research in school settings, and will also present their research findings at a number of national and international conferences, as well as contribute to organising a conference at the University of Galway and a youth led event, also to be held at the University of Galway. They will also contribute to scholarly publications and publications for a wider audience (e.g. blog posts). Garda vetting will apply.

• Conducting semi structured interviews with 5 10 families who fit the following profile: families who reside in the Irish Gaeltacht (any Gaeltacht area and/or multiple Gaeltacht areas); who use a language other than/in addition to Irish or English in the home; and who have at least one adolescent child
• Conducting case studies with four focal adolescents who fit the project profile
• Ethnographic fieldwork in the communities in which the case study families live
• Ethnographic research, including peer led interviews, in a school which at least one of the case study adolescents attends
• Analysis of project data
• PhD thesis
• Presentations at national and international conference
• Contributions to articles arising from project (as second or third author)
• Contributions to conference organisation and organisation of youth led event

The funding allows for a living allowance (tax free scholarship award) €25,000 per annum, and will cover fees at the EU rate of €5,750 per annum.

Academic Entry Requirements:

Required

• An honours BA with a minimum degree result of a high 2.1 or international equivalent in applied linguistics, relevant language, or other social science field
• Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent (only applicable for students who have not earned a previous degree in an English speaking context)
• Fluency (C 1 or C2) in Irish
• Excellent written communication skills in both Irish and English
• Experience working with adolescents
• Fluency (C1 or C2) in one or more languages in addition to Irish or English
• Experience conducting ethnographic research

To Apply for the Scholarship: Please send the following as an email attachment:

• An academic CV, including contact details for three referees
• Eithera cover letter or a personal statement (maximum 700 words) outlining your background, interests, and aptitude for doctoral level research
• A scanned/electronic copy of your academic transcripts listing coursework and grades for each degree obtained or in progress (hard copies may be required at a later date)
• An academic writing sample (minimum 3,000 and maximum 15,000 words)

Online application forms and all supporting documents must be received by the stated deadline in order to receive full consideration. Informal enquiries may be sent to Dr. Cassie Smith Christmas, who will be happy to discuss the particulars of this post.

Application Deadline : April 30th 2026 at 17:00 (Irish time 24hr format)

Primary Supervisor name : Dr. Cassie Smith Christmas

Where to apply

E-mail