AI is changing how people search for information. But what happens when people ask AI chatbots about serious topics like climate change?
That is the big question behind this UCD Funded PhD Studentship in Generative AI and Climate Change Misinformation. The project will study how tools like ChatGPT and Gemini respond to climate-related questions, and whether AI-generated answers can influence people’s beliefs and behaviour.
Applications are open for a four-year funded PhD studentship at University College Dublin, Ireland. The project is supervised by Prof. Ciara Greene from the UCD School of Psychology and Prof. Andrew Parnell from the UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Host University | University College Dublin |
| Country | Ireland |
| Position Type | Funded PhD Studentship |
| Research Area | Generative AI and Climate Change Misinformation |
| Duration | Four years |
| Start Date | September 2026 |
| Stipend | €25,000 per year, tax free |
| Supervisors | Prof. Ciara Greene and Prof. Andrew Parnell |
| Application Deadline | 5pm on 2 June 2026 |
About the UCD Funded PhD Studentship
This PhD studentship is part of a structured cohort-based PhD training programme linked to a multi-institutional and interdisciplinary national centre for data science and AI, funded by Research Ireland.
The successful applicant will begin the programme in September 2026 and will work on a project that connects artificial intelligence, psychology, misinformation, climate communication and human behaviour.
This is a strong opportunity for students who want to do research at the point where technology meets society. If you are also comparing other research opportunities in Europe, you may want to check this guide on European MSCA PhD positions in Italy, especially if your interest is in structured doctoral training.
What This PhD Project Is Really About
People now use AI chatbots for almost everything: school work, research, career advice, news, health questions and public issues. Climate change is one of those sensitive topics where wrong information can easily shape public opinion.
This project will investigate whether large language models provide accurate climate information, repeat misleading claims, or agree with users when they ask biased or leading questions.
The research will also study how AI-generated climate information affects people. In simple terms, the project wants to know whether chatbot responses can change what people believe about climate change and whether those responses can influence greener behaviour.
That makes this studentship different from a purely technical AI project. It is not only about how AI works. It is also about how humans respond to AI.
Main Research Objectives
The first part of the project will examine how different large language models respond to questions about climate change. The researcher will look at whether chatbots provide misleading information during natural conversations and how they respond when users present climate-related misinformation.
For example, the project may examine how a chatbot responds to claims like: “The climate has always been changing, so how can humans have anything to do with it?”
The second part of the project will measure the impact of AI-generated answers on people’s beliefs and behaviours. Participants will interact with an “AI chatbot” and receive answers that vary in bias and accuracy. The researcher will then study how this affects belief in human-caused climate change and willingness to engage in pro-environment behaviours.
The project will also compare chatbot responses with other forms of misinformation delivery, such as social media posts and plain text information. This will help show whether AI-generated misinformation is more persuasive than other formats.
Funding Benefits
The studentship provides a tax-free stipend of €25,000 per year for four years.
The funding also includes additional support for conference attendance and training activities. This is important because PhD students often need to attend academic events, present their work and build research networks.
For fees, EU students will have their fees covered automatically. Non-EU students may receive a UCD fee waiver.
If your goal is to find funded doctoral opportunities outside Ireland too, you can also review this fully funded PhD assistantship in the USA, especially if you are open to research-based assistantship routes.
Training and Career Development
This PhD is not only about writing a thesis. The selected student will also receive training through the wider cohort programme.
The training will cover transferable skills such as communication, ethics and entrepreneurship. The programme will also include group activities, hackathons, spin-out sprints, domain-specific training, research seminars, workshops, reading groups and career development activities.
This is useful for students who want to build a research career, move into data science, work in policy, or contribute to responsible AI and misinformation research.
Who Can Apply?
The ideal applicant should have an honours degree in Psychology or a related discipline, with at least an upper second-class honours or an international equivalent.
Applicants must also have excellent quantitative data analysis skills, strong communication skills, good organisational ability and the capacity to work to deadlines.
The desirable profile includes a master’s degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science or a related discipline. Experience in cognitive psychology, experimental design, online studies, computer programming and large language models will also be useful.
This means the position may suit applicants with interests in psychology, cognitive science, AI, climate communication, misinformation, human behaviour, data analysis and large language models.
If you are still building your research profile, you may also find this research fellowship route in Germany useful, especially if you want to understand how international research opportunities are structured.
How to Apply for the UCD PhD Studentship
Applicants must submit their application through the general cohort-based PhD programme application form.
When filling the form, applicants should choose Information Integrity as their first-choice theme and UCD as their first-choice institution. They can then specify the project title: Generative AI and Climate Change Misinformation.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the primary research supervisor before applying.
Supervisor Email: ciara.greene@ucd.ie
Application Deadline: 5pm on 2 June 2026
Interviews will be held later in June, with decisions expected soon after.
Final Advice for Applicants
This is the kind of PhD position where your application should not sound generic. You need to show that you understand the connection between AI, misinformation, climate change and human behaviour.
Before applying, prepare a focused statement of interest. Mention your research background, your quantitative skills, your experience with experiments or data analysis, and why this project fits your academic direction.
Also, do not wait until the last minute before contacting the supervisor. A short, clear and respectful email can help you confirm your fit for the project before submitting your application.
And if you are shortlisted, start preparing early. This guide on how to handle scholarship interviews with confidence can help you think about your answers, motivation and research direction before the interview stage.
If you are interested in generative AI, misinformation, climate communication and behavioural research, this UCD funded PhD studentship is an opportunity worth taking seriously.
