Applicants sought for research into impact of defective concrete on businesses 

Applicants are being sought for research into how the defective concrete crisis is affecting businesses.

Ulster University is inviting applications for a funded PhD scholarship on the issues as part of its annual PhD studentships competition.

The research is being led and supervised by Dr Eileen Doherty of Ulster University, herself a defective blocks homeowner and campaigner. 

She said businesses affected by the crisis, which have been excluded from the government’s grant scheme, are really struggling

“The defective concrete crisis has had a devastating impact on those families whose homes have been affected,”  Dr Eileen Doherty said.

“The Irish government launched a scheme in 2020 and a revised scheme in 2023 to provide some financial support for those affected. It is clear that a lot more needs to be done in this respect to support families who find themselves in this position, through absolutely no fault of their own, each of whom have different needs and challenges.

“However, it is also clear that there are other groups completely excluded from this scheme.  One of these groups are businesses. This is an area that has received little or no attention and anecdotally we know that businesses are really struggling and the challenges that this crisis presents need to be highlighted. This PhD research project, if a successful candidate can be found, will be the first time that this critical issue will have rigorous research undertaken to best understand these challenges and to finally give these businesses a voice.

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“However, in order to ensure that this research is undertaken, we need to invite high quality applicants to apply for the PhD.  There is however, no guarantee as it is a very competitive process with other PhD proposals across the university also on offer.  Therefore, we encourage anyone who is interested, who has achieved either a first or second-class honours degree (or a masters degree with distinction) in either a business related or other discipline such as the built environment, social policy, law, psychology etc, to consider applying.

“We encourage applications from potential candidates who already have an interest or some knowledge of the defective concrete crisis, who have an aptitude or interest in undertaking high quality research in this area.  The findings of this vital research will inform policy on the issue and hopefully ultimately result in businesses being supported under the scheme.”

Successful applicants will have their fees covered for three years plus a non-taxable maintenance grant of £19,500 per year for three years.

Closing date for completed applications is Monday, February 24, 2025, with interviews planned for March and April and  start date of September 2025.