This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the University of Bath URSA competition.
Project
Due to the significant amount of time people spend indoors, there are concerns about poor indoor air quality that can affect people’s health and well-being. Occupants’ activities (cooking, smoking), the presence of furniture and building materials, low ventilation, outdoor pollutants together with uncontrolled temperature and relative humidity are all responsible of the worsening of the indoor air quality. The combination of indoor environmental conditions and poor air quality can lead to several health problems, such as asthma, allergies and sick building syndrome, while increasing the risk for viruses to spread.
Buildings can play an important role to improve the indoor air quality and reduce health risks. However, it is necessary to evaluate what the indoor pollutants are and how they interact with each other, the indoor environment, buildings and human body. Understanding the indoor air complex mechanisms will guide how building can be designed to reduce pollutant and health risks indoors.
This project will explore:
- The interaction between pollutant and human body. How does the combined presence of pollutants and indoor hygrothermal conditions effect people’s health?
- Understanding the role of buildings and building materials in the control of the indoor air quality
- Exploring possible solution to reduce the risks on people’s health and well-being.
This is an exciting opportunity to work in a collaborative and supportive environment and can involve a combination of fieldwork and laboratory work, data analysis, and numerical modelling.
Candidate Requirements
We seek an enthusiastic student with knowledge in building physics, environmental health or similar fields.
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second Class Honours degree (or the equivalent). A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement by February 2023 in order to be considered.
Enquiries and Applications
Informal enquiries are encouraged! Direct these to Dr Valeria Cascione - [Email Address Removed]
Please make a formal application should via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Civil Engineering.
When completing the form, please identify your application as being for the URSA studentship competition in Section 3 Finance (question 2) and quote the project title and lead supervisor’s name in the ‘Your research interests’ section.
More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.
Funding Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, you must qualify as a Home student. The eligibility criteria for Home fee status are detailed and too complex to be summarised here in full; however, as a general guide, the following applicants will normally qualify subject to meeting residency requirements:
- UK nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland)
- Irish nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland)
- Those with Indefinite Leave to Remain
- EU nationals with pre-settled or settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Additional information may be found on our fee status guidance webpage, on the GOV.UK website and on the UKCISA website.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We value a diverse research environment and strive to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We encourage applications from under-represented groups. In particular, we are welcoming applications from candidates with Refugee, Asylum Seeker, or Humanitarian Protection in the UK to our Doctoral Sanctuary Studentship in Engineering and Design.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
The Disability Service ensures that individuals with disabilities are provided the support that they need. If you state if your application that you have a disability, the Disability Service will contact you as part of this process to discuss your needs.
Keywords: Built Environment; Environmental Health