This Masters Scholarship is part of a joint research project between Teagasc
Food Research Centre (Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork), and Technological
University Dublin (TU Dublin).
DEADLINE: 30th June 2021
Irish Whiskey has Geographical Indication (GI) status under EU
regulation, which supports the development of the Irish Whiskey
industry, protects against imitation, safeguards the quality of the
product, and provides customer reassurance. Significant growth in Irish
Whiskey has highlighted concerns in relation to regulation and
authentication of the various types of Irish Whiskey produced. The main
approach to authentication is via the identification of volatile,
semi-volatile and non-volatile components called congeners created
within the process. Many of these congeners contribute to the overall
flavour and their presence and concentration can be unique to whiskey
types, brands, and can provide information in relation to the cereal
source of the alcohol, fermentation efficiency, distillation and casking
practices during aging. Therefore, congeners can also act as biomarkers
to verify authenticity and also to potentially highlight fraudulent
practices. This proposal brings significant scientific expertise and
capability at Teagasc Food Research Centre, and at TU Dublin to aid in
the protection of the Irish Whiskey global brand. The successful
candidate will have access to state of the art flavour chemistry
equipment and expertise at the flavour chemistry facility in Teagasc
Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland and state of
the art spectroscopic and analytical equipment in FOCAS and ESHI
research Institutes, TU Dublin.
The student will be based primarily at Teagasc Food Research Centre
(Moorepark) and will be registered at TU Dublin under the supervision of
Prof Kieran Kilcawley (Teagasc) and Prof Christine O’Connor (TU
Dublin).
What is funded
The scholarship funding is €24,000 per annum and includes University
fees of up to a maximum of €6,000 per annum and is tenable for 2 years.
Duration
2 Years
Eligibility
Student requirements for this project
- Postgraduates applying for a Scholarship must have a first or upper
second-class honours primary degree or the equivalent in a scientific
discipline
- A BSc Brewing and Distilling, Food Science & Technology or Chemistry would be seen as advantageous.
- A full clean driving licence.
- Lab experience desirable but not essential.
Where English is not the first language see https://www.tudublin.ie/study/international-students/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
If you are interested in submitting an application for this MPhil project, please complete an Expression of Interest and email it to phd@tudublin.ie by 11th June 2021. The TU Dublin (formerly DIT) Expression of Interest form may be found on: https://www.dit.ie/researchenterprise/graduateresearchschool/prospective...
Closing date for full applications: 5pm, 30/06/2021
