[£20,780 per annum bursary, university fees at home rate covered, bench fees included. International/EU students without Settled Status must pay the difference between home and international fees. Visa costs not covered.]

This fully funded PhD studentship at Oxford Brookes University offers an exciting opportunity to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change in primary schools across Oxfordshire. The HEALS project—Heat, Health, and Learning: Co-Designing Climate-Resilient Strategies for Primary Schools—aims to investigate and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat on the health, wellbeing, and learning outcomes of children and staff. With anthropogenic climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the UK, the risks to vulnerable populations, especially children, are growing. In Oxfordshire alone, over 205,000 residents live in high heat-risk areas, and approximately 130 schools are particularly exposed.

The successful candidate will join the Low Carbon Building Research Group and collaborate closely with Oxfordshire County Council and local schools. The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, including continuous monitoring of indoor temperature, carbon dioxide, and airborne pollutants in a representative sample of primary schools. This will provide valuable insights into how heat accumulates in classrooms and its effects on comfort, concentration, and wellbeing. The project will also explore the experiences of pupils and staff, and co-design practical, low-cost cooling and shading solutions such as improved ventilation and outdoor shading. The effectiveness of these interventions will be assessed in real school settings, with the goal of developing clear guidance and recommendations for schools and local authorities.

This studentship is closely linked to the £7.4 million HEARTH programme, the National Research Hub on Net Zero, Health and Extreme Heat, providing access to a vibrant research community and additional resources. The position includes a bursary of £20,780 per annum, coverage of university fees at the home rate, and bench fees. International and EU students without Settled Status must cover the difference between home and international fees, and visa costs are not included.

Applicants should have a first or upper second-class honours degree from a UK institution or an equivalent qualification. International/EU candidates must provide a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (minimum overall score 6.0, no score below 5.5) issued within the last two years. The studentship requires up to 6 hours of teaching per week during semester time, including preparation and marking, and participation in a teaching skills course.

Applications should be submitted directly via the university portal and must include a cover letter, CV, details of two referees (at least one academic), a research proposal, degree certificates and transcripts, a scan of your passport, and evidence of English language qualification if applicable. For further information or queries, contact Prof Rajat Gupta at [email protected] or [email protected]. The application deadline is 20th February 2026, with interviews to be confirmed online. The successful candidate will start in September 2026.