PhD Studentship: Policy-Ready Evidence for Living Green Walls—Methods and Metrics for Urban Greenery Decision-Making Manchester Metropolitan University in United Kingdom

[Home tuition fees (£5,006 for 2025/26) covered for 3.5 years; international students must pay the difference. Standard UKRI stipend of £20,780 for 2025/26.]

Manchester Metropolitan University invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship focused on generating policy-ready evidence for living green walls and urban greenery. As cities increasingly adopt green infrastructure to enhance biodiversity, air quality, and climate resilience, robust scientific data on the environmental benefits of these systems is urgently needed. This project, based in Manchester Met’s Smart Infrastructure Lab, will investigate how living walls and other urban green systems contribute to ecosystem health and biodiversity.

The successful candidate will engage in real-world field studies and environmental monitoring, collecting and analysing data to evaluate how vegetation interacts with the built environment. The research will quantify biodiversity and environmental benefits, develop data-informed approaches to measure ecological change, and assess how design, maintenance, and local conditions influence outcomes. The ultimate goal is to produce evidence-based insights that inform sustainable urban design and policy, advancing academic understanding of resilient, nature-positive cities.

Students will benefit from a multidisciplinary supervisory team spanning engineering, ecology, and environmental science, with access to state-of-the-art laboratories, field sensors, and advanced data-analysis facilities. You will join Manchester Met’s Doctoral College, gaining specialist training, collaboration opportunities, and professional development support. The project is ideal for motivated researchers passionate about environmental sustainability, data-driven science, and urban futures.

Funding: The studentship covers home tuition fees (£5,006 for 2025/26) for 3.5 years and provides a standard UKRI stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26). International students are welcome to apply but must cover the difference in tuition fees (Band 3 for 2025/26).

Eligibility: Applicants should have a strong academic background (2:1 or above, or equivalent) in environmental science, ecology, geography, engineering, or data analytics. Essential skills include statistical analysis and proficiency in at least one programming language (R, Python, MATLAB). Desirable experience includes ecological survey design, biodiversity monitoring, familiarity with environmental sensors, UK habitat or ecological surveying, and interdisciplinary research linking ecology with data analysis.

Application Process: Interested candidates should contact Dr Weizhuo Wang ([email protected]) for an informal discussion. To apply, complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Engineering, upload your CV, covering letter, and the Doctoral Project Applicant Form via the university’s admissions portal. Please quote reference SciEng-WZW-2026-27-Smart Urban Greenery. The application deadline is 31 March 2026, with an expected start date in October 2026.

This studentship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to world-leading research with real societal impact, shaping the future of sustainable urban environments.