STEM PhD candidates collaborate at Intel Ireland

Posted on: 19 May 2026

The packed schedule was jointly organised by Dr John O’Donoghue, RSC Education Coordinator in Trinity’s School of Chemistry and Paul Goodman, Manufacturing Manager at Intel Ireland and Chairperson of the Trinity Chemistry Industry Advisory Board.

The group of PhD candidates, from the Schools of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering, took the invaluable opportunity to chat with Intel staff from a variety of different backgrounds and experiences, some of whom graduated from Trinity in recent years while others have worked with Intel for over 20.

The PhD candidates from across Trinity's Faculty of STEM at the Intel Ireland campus in Leixlip, Co. Kildare. Photo: Intel Ireland Communications.

The extensive tour of the site also gave the PhD’s a unique insight into large-scale industrial manufacturing operations like the new multi-billion euro Fab 34 facility in Leixlip.

They also took part in a multi-disciplinary teamwork activity, which reflected the real work that happens in Intel every day, where chemists, engineers and physicists had to work together in a short timeframe with limited information to solve a problem. Despite their unfamiliarity with each other, they used the transferrable problem-solving skills they gained during their time in Trinity to demonstrate fantastic teamwork.

Dr O’Donoghue said: “For over a decade Trinity’s School of Chemistry has evolved PhD Science Communication training based on feedback and employer demands. Time and again employers have indicated that they want STEM graduates with a range of non-technical skills such as communication, empathy, teamwork, taking ownership of work and presentation skills among many others.”

“This was emphasised again by Intel Ireland this week, confirming how important the skills gained from Science Communication training and experience are for many careers.”

As well as benefiting the PhD candidates in terms of their own career path, this trip also supported the new Research Ireland-funded Chemistry Toolbox project led by Dr O’Donoghue. As well as engaging with schools and the public through co-creation, industrial trips such as this will upskill the PhD facilitators to be better informed to answer career questions from Secondary School students.

Dr Natalia Garcia Domenech from the School of Chemistry helped to coordinate the day and judged the problem-solving activity, while Dr Niamh McGoldrick  from the School of Physics worked with staff in the School of Engineering to involve their respective PhD’s. Prof. John Boland from the School of Chemistry was instrumental in establishing and coordinating the Trinity Chemistry Industry Advisory Group, which was invaluable for initiating this partnership.

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