PhD in Integrated Urban Simulation for Healthy, Sustainable Cities Loughborough University in United Kingdom

PhD opportunity at Loughborough University in integrated urban simulation for healthy, sustainable cities.

The project focuses on extending a sophisticated city modelling platform that links land use, travel behaviour, and transport networks to study how urban form affects air pollution, noise, road danger, green space, heat, flooding, and physical activity.

Possible research directions include housing and health inequalities, climate adaptation and resilience, cost-of-living impacts on travel, fleet electrification, air quality and exposure modelling, and activity-based travel modelling. The modelling suite mentioned includes SILO–MITO-MATSim, and the project is designed to be shaped with the student’s interests.

Supervisor: Professor James Woodcock, a policy-engaged researcher at Loughborough University with extensive experience translating modelling research into real-world transport and public health decisions.

Eligibility: Applicants from transport engineering, public health, geography, or another quantitative discipline are welcome. You should have a relevant Masters degree and either existing experience in agent-based modelling or microsimulation, ideally with Java and platforms such as MATSim or SILO, or a strong ability to learn these quickly.

Funding: Fully funded UK PhD, full-time for 3 years. International applicants are not applicable for this funded studentship.

Deadline: 29 July 2026. Start date: October 2026.

How to apply: Apply online via the Loughborough University project page. Informal questions are welcome before applying.