We invite applications for a 3-year PhD studentship in the MRC Centre for Environment and Health and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Environmental Exposures and Health.
Our researchers are uniquely placed to produce high quality research, working with partners to translate knowledge into policy and improve population health, supported by a bespoke training programme to ensure they are equipped with the appropriate skills and experience.
We are seeking an outstanding candidate for a PhD in “The Net Zero transition: How does Net Zero impact future energy use and indoor air quality in UK homes?
Climate change is the biggest global environmental issue, with the UK committing to achieve “net zero” by 2050. Large scale decarbonisation of the UK economy includes switching from dependence on fossil fuel combustion to other energy sources.
Heating and power for domestic residences is an important part of Net Zero and future plans include the use of hybrid heating systems, air source heat pumps and H2 as alternatives to gas and oil boilers. Net Zero policies have the potential to have profound and so far unquantified effects on human health, from exposure to ambient air pollution. This is because, people spend the majority of their time indoors (~90%), experiencing greater exposure to air pollution than outdoors and with cooking of meats using gas, as well as gas and biomass boilers, representing important sources of both PM2.5 and NOX.
The aims of this project, conducted in close partnership with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), are: i) to investigate home characteristics and energy use (gas, oil, biomass) in the UK; ii) to enhance and evaluate our existing indoor/outdoor air quality models for use in the UK; iii) to utilise the models in ii) to assess the impact/benefits on indoor air quality and human exposure from changes to indoor sources of cooking and heating, associated with UK policy towards Net Zero.
This project is supervised by Dr Sean Beevers and Dr Tuan Van (Imperial College London) and Dr Sani Dimitroulopoulou (UKHSA).
This studentship is only available to candidates who are eligible for home tuition fee status.
The PhD studentship will cover home fees, a stipend of approximately £17,285 per year for three years and support of research expenses and travel to collaborators and conferences.
For more information, and instructions on how to apply, visit PhD Studentships – Environmental Exposures and Health (nihr.ac.uk)
The MRC Centre and the NIHR HPRUs are committed to equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination and creating an inclusive working environment.
The closing date for applications is 23rd July 2022. Studentships will commence by October 2022.
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