About the Project
The UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering and UCL Energy Institute in collaboration with Public Health England (PHE) are seeking applications for a fully funded studentship on the topic:
“Quantifying the benefits of measures to reduce exposure of deprived communities to indoor and outdoor sources of air pollutants”
Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Energy Demand (LoLo CDT) (http://www.lolo.ac.uk/) and co-funded by Public Health England this exciting project will aim to identify the specific factors that influence the exposure to air pollution of deprived communities, to quantify the exposure of children and to quantify the public health benefits of policy interventions aiming to reduce air pollution exposure and health inequalities. This will be achieved by using a novel integrated modelling tool that will combine building physics, indoor and outdoor air pollution and population exposure models.
The LoLo CDT provides world-class PhD training, including opportunities to work with leading researchers, placements with industry and a comprehensive skills and development programme. As a student joining the LoLo CDT at UCL you will join an active research group, in a unique student-focused environment with ample opportunities to engage with leading researchers, industry and policy makers. In addition to the university doctoral training requirements, LoLo students take part in an exciting range of activities, ranging from residential events and group projects, to conferences and careers events.
Our four-year funded PhD programme combines a one year Master of Research (MRes) and three year doctorate (PhD). This structure builds a firm foundation of skills, knowledge and research experience, steadily progressing into world-leading research.
About the project
Supervisors: Dr Sani Dimitroulopoulou, PHE and UCL; Prof Mike Davies, UCL; Prof Mike Ashmore, University of York; Dr Jonathon Taylor, UCL.
Studentship: The studentship will cover home fees and an enhanced stipend of up to a maximum of £18,285 per year (current rate) for eligible applicants for four years (start date September 2017), along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities. Non-EU applicants are not eligible for funding unless they meet EPSRC eligibility criteria https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/.
Overview/context/importance
The adverse effects of air pollution on human health are well documented; there is increasing public and political awareness of its impact on public health. The current public health messages emphasise that deprived communities may live in areas with higher levels of outdoor air pollution, close to heavy road traffic, without mentioning the impact of the indoor environment on their exposure.
This PhD proposal addresses an important gap in knowledge regarding how deprivation influences the population exposure in indoor environments to nitrogen dioxide and particles, from indoor and outdoor sources. Exposures are influenced by the type and quality of dwellings and building characteristics, which define the ventilation characteristics, the number of occupants, including overcrowded dwellings, the occupant activities and other indoor sources.
It will use a new modelling framework that will combine building physics, indoor and outdoor air quality and population exposure models, thus offering considerable advantages over previous methods. It will provide new research evidence of public health relevance by comparing the benefits of different interventions in deprived communities which aim to reduce the exposure to air pollution, and identify interventions that will have greatest overall benefit, while also reducing health inequalities.
This project will provide a unique opportunity for multi-disciplinary research training platform for the student, including elements of environmental science, energy demand, outdoor and indoor air pollution, social science, exposure assessment, housing policy and public health, based on a range of modelling tools and GIS software.
Research hypotheses
Hypothesis 1: Children population exposure to nitrogen dioxide and particles in deprived communities is higher than that of children in the general population, due to differences in the location, condition and occupancy of the dwellings and the indoor activities of occupants.
Hypothesis 2: Policy interventions, which address a combination of factors affecting outdoor and indoor air pollution, can achieve larger reductions in population exposure to air pollution in deprived communities than in the general population, and hence reduce health inequalities.
Personal specficiation of applicant (specific skills required)
Applicants are welcomed with good degrees (min 2:1) from diverse backgrounds, reflecting our multidisciplinary research; previous experience of energy and buildings is not required. The project is well-suited to a highly-quantitative individual with strong computing skills.
The successful candidate is expected to possess the following qualities:
• Passionate about modelling, programming and conducting research;
• Knowledge of relevant statistical software or programming languages (such as C++, R, MATLab);
• Ability to use own initiative and prioritise workload;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written);
• A high level of attention to detail in working methods.
How to apply
Your pre-application should be submitted by email direct to the LoLo Centre Manager ([Email Address Removed]) and not on the UCL online admissions system. Application deadline: 8th May 2017 and should include the following:
• A covering letter clearly stating your motivation, and stating your understanding of eligibility according to these guidelines: https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/
• CV
• Names and addresses of two academic referees
• A copy of your degree certificate(s) and transcript(s) of degree(s),
Following the interview, the successful candidate will be invited to make a formal application to the UCL Research Degree programme. Further guidance will be provided. For any further details regarding the project contact Dr Sani Dimitroulopoulou, [Email Address Removed]; for further details about the LoLo CDT and our programme, please contact Dr Cliff Elwell, [Email Address Removed].
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