Announced by Minister Heather Humphreys TD Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, and Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John HalliganTD, the centre has been awarded funding of €13.6 million by Science Foundation Ireland.  The Centre for Research Training (CRT) will train 139 PhD students towards a world-class foundational understanding of Applied Mathematics, Statistics, and Machine Learning.

This represents the largest ever investment in mathematical sciences research in Ireland.

This large scale collaborative initiative between UL, UCD, MU, and Skillnet Ireland, will address existing skills gaps in data analytics such as advanced analytics, high-performance computing, and the ability to create bespoke algorithmic methods to turn data into knowledge.  The CRT will impact real-world challenges in the areas of Data Analytics, Privacy and Security, Smart Manufacturing, Health and Well-being and sectors including agriculture, automotive technologies, consulting, data protection, economics, electronics, finance, health care, information technology, insurance, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and weather forecasting.

The 139 PhD students trained in the CRT will gain a fundamental understanding that will make them uniquely adaptable to the rapidly-evolving needs of Ireland’s data science industry. Students will engage with industries and enterprises coordinated by Skillnet Ireland, and will develop an understanding of the real-world applications of data science, gaining transversal skills and an appreciation for true impact in the process.

Students will also undertake academic placements at internationally renowned collaborating institutions, benefiting from exposure to the research activities in world-class universities.

Speaking about the announcement UL’s Professor James Gleeson said: “Graduates from the CRT will positively impact all aspects of Irish society and will become Ireland’s future leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and employers. Students will get a unique opportunity to work with some of the best researchers and innovative companies working in this area.”

UCD’s Associate Prof Claire Gurley said: “The SFI Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science will provide a world-class environment, training students in applied mathematics, statistics and machine learning, with application areas of national importance, equipping them with the skills needed to be the  innovative data scientists of the future.”

Prof Ken Duffy of Maynooth University Hamilton Institute said: “The participation of Skillet Ireland, Irish industry and enterprise, will enable the SFI Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science to create a future-proofed workforce. It will combine foundational training and research in areas of national importance, with bespoke skills that are needed to succeed in business.”
Application Process

We invite applications from individuals who hold (or expect to receive) a master’s level degree, or first class undergraduate degree, in mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, engineering, or in a closely related subject. Applicants should send the following information to admissions@data-science.ie 

See http://www.data-science.ie/ for more info

1. CV (including name etc, institutions and qualifications arising from higher education (with percentages as well as grades, or predicted grades if applicable) statement/evidence of your fluency in English)
2. cover letter (max. 1 to 2 pages outlining career plans as well as your motivation and scientific interests).
3. to assist us in ensuring diversity among the student cohort, we request an indication of gender: female / male / non-binary.
4. ranking of their preferred location(s) (UL, UCD, MU).
5. ranking of their preferred horizontal theme (applied math, statistics, machine learning).
6. ranking of the five vertical themes (Data Analytics, Privacy and Security, Smart Manufacturing, Networks, and Health and Wellbeing) in order of your preferred initial focus.While all students will engage in cohort training activities in each of the three host institutions, students will be matched to a home institution and will work towards a doctoral degree from there.Application consideration will commence no earlier than March 8th 2019.For further queries, please contact admissions@data-science.ie 

The 5 other SFI Centres for Research Training are:

• SFI Centre for Research Training in Machine Learning

Dr Brian McNamee (UCD), Dr Georgiana Ifrim (UCD), Prof Sarah Jane Delany (TU Dublin), Prof Noel O’Connor (DCU)

• SFI Centre for Research Training in Digitally Enhanced Reality

Prof Carol O’Sullivan (TCD), Prof Vincent Wade (TCD), Prof John Kelleher (TU Dublin), Prof Alan Smeaton (DCU), Prof Peter Corcoran (NUIG), Prof Julie Berndsen (UCD)

• SFI Centre for Research Training in Advanced Networks for Sustainable Societies

Prof Dirk Pesch (UCC), Prof John Barrett (CIT), Dr Deirdre Desmond (MU), Prof Siobhán Clarke (TCD), Prof Max Ammann (TU Dublin), Prof Cormac Sreenan (UCC)

• SFI Centre for Research Training in Artificial Intelligence

Prof Barry O’Sullivan (UCC), Prof Tiziana Margaria (UL), Dr Ivana Dusparic (TCD), Dr Derek Bridge (UCC), Dr Suzanne Little (DCU), Dr Paul Buitelaar (NUIG)

• SFI Centre for Research Training in Genomics Data Science

Prof Cathal Seoighe (NUIG), Dr Eva Szegezdi (NUIG), Prof Denis Shields (UCD), Prof Gianpiero Cavalleri (RCSI), Prof Pavel Baranov (UCC), Prof Aoife McLysaght (TCD)