University of Sheffield
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PhD in Leveraging Behavioural Change to Reduce Urban Pollution University of Sheffield in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Chemistry
Funding
Full scholarship for 45 months covering tuition fees and providing an annual stipend in line with UKRI recommended levels (£21,805 for the 2026/2027 academic year, TBC in 2027/2028).
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Sheffield

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About this position
PhD opportunity at the University of Sheffield within the ECOSOLUTIONS Doctoral Focal Award, focused on leveraging behavioural change to reduce urban pollution. The project is supervised by Dr Karl Evans, Prof Tom Webb, Dr Erin Corbett, and Dr John Wilkinson, and is part of a NERC-funded, transdisciplinary programme addressing sustainable chemical development and non-toxic environments.
This PhD examines how residents’ domestic behaviours contribute to the release of polluting chemicals into the environment, and how effective behavioural interventions can reduce those impacts. The project combines behavioural biology, data analysis, social science methodologies, pollution, and environmental chemistry. Research tasks include a systematic review and meta-analysis of behavioural interventions, rapid pilot testing using online questionnaires and focus groups, and real-world evaluation of promising interventions through direct measurement, modelling, or proxy metrics.
Students will join a wider ECOSOLUTIONS cohort working across ecology, data science, chemistry, geography, psychology, environmental engineering, policy, and law. Training includes induction and primer courses, transferable skills workshops, systems-solutions workshops, a three-month secondment with JNCC, and opportunities to present at international conferences.
Funding is described as a full scholarship covering tuition fees plus a stipend at UKRI rates for 45 months. Applicants need at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. Essential skills include data analysis and/or modelling and social science methodologies; environmental chemistry is desirable but not essential.
The post is based in Sheffield, United Kingdom. The application information directs candidates to the ECOSOLUTIONS website, and project-specific enquiries can be sent to [email protected]. The page notes that some funding places are limited and that eligibility may depend on Home fee status for certain projects.
Funding details
Full scholarship for 45 months covering tuition fees and providing an annual stipend in line with UKRI recommended levels (£21,805 for the 2026/2027 academic year, TBC in 2027/2028).
What's required
Applicants need at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. Essential skills include data analysis and/or modelling plus social science methodologies; environmental chemistry is desirable but not essential. The programme welcomes students from across the world, though funding eligibility may be restricted for some cohorts to UK/Home fee status.
How to apply
Visit the ECOSOLUTIONS website for full application instructions and project details. For project-specific enquiries, email Dr Karl Evans at [email protected]. Register your interest through the FindAPhD page if prompted.
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