Holistic Integration of Eco-Design, Materials, and Technology for Sustainable Electronics
FERNS Project
FERNS is committed to reshaping the future of electronics by driving innovation in circular design, advancing the use of bio-based and renewable materials, and promoting low-energy, sustainable manufacturing processes. Through focused, interdisciplinary training and research, FERNS empowers the next generation of experts to lead the transition of electronic components and systems toward environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability.
Our Innovation
FERNS pioneers a transformative approach to sustainable electronics by integrating eco-design, green materials, and circular manufacturing from the earliest stages of product development
Doctoral Posts
We offer exceptional opportunities for promising young students to work together on cutting-edge topics such as sustainable materials & fabrication in electronics, eco-design and co-design principles, social appropriation and circularity models to address the key challenges underpinning the field of sustainable electronics. The FERNS doctoral network will offer a research platform and training program for the Fellows to work across the disciplines of material science, engineering, social science and business with the ambition to enable the transition of electronic components and systems towards environmental sustainability.
All 15 PhD positions are listed below with their project-hosting institutions. A link to the application form is provided next to the project title. This link will take you to the application portal of the project-hosting institution.
DR1 Laser Induced Graphene (LIG) on novel biodegradable polymers for the monitoring of human and plant health status (Tyndall) | Applications Closed
DR2 Sustainable self-powered sweat sensors and strategies for their incorporation into e-textiles (Tyndall) | Applications Closed
DR3 Sustainable and smart ear tags for livestock localisation and monitoring (CSEM) | Apply here
DR4 Bioderived materials for the additive manufacturing of sustainable and biodegradable wearable electronics (RISE) | Apply here
DR5 Energy- and precision-aware computing for disposable sensors (QUB) | Apply here
DR6 Co-creation of circular economy strategies (QUB)
DR7 Development of wearable green electronics for electrophysiological sensing (NOVA-FCT) | Apply here
DR8 NOVA-FCT - Development of wearable green electronics for non-invasive electrochemical sensing (NOVA-FCT) | Apply here
DR9 Public acceptance and appropriation (BTU) | Apply here
DR10 Social sustainability dimensions for green electronics (BTU) | Apply here
DR11 Smart Sustainable E-Textile Fitness and Wellbeing Monitoring System (UoS) | Apply here
DR12 Printed non-toxic bioderived and biodegradable supercapacitors for low-power wearable and farming applications (TAU) | Apply here
DR13 Circular business model innovation for circular product service systems - with a focus on co-creation and testing with users/customers to ensure acceptance (TAU) | Apply here
DR14 Safe and Sustainably by Design for green electronics (EMPA) | Apply here
DR15 Sustainable plant and soil monitoring by wearable sensors (PoliTO) | Apply here