PhD Studentship: HEALS – Co-Designing Climate-Resilient Strategies for Primary Schools in Oxfordshire Oxford Brookes University in United Kingdom

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

PhD Studentship: HEALS – Heat, Health, and Learning: Co-Designing Climate-Resilient Strategies for Primary Schools in Oxfordshire

Oxford Brookes University invites applications for a fully funded, 3-year, full-time PhD studentship as part of the HEALS project. This research aims to address the growing risks posed by climate change-induced heatwaves to children’s health, wellbeing, and learning in Oxfordshire’s primary schools. The project will be supervised by Professor Rajat Gupta (Director of Studies), Professor Lorraine Dixon, and Dr Yuanhong Zhou, and is closely linked to the £7.4 million HEARTH programme, the National Research Hub on Net Zero, Health and Extreme Heat.

The successful candidate will join the Low Carbon Building Research Group and collaborate with Oxfordshire County Council and local schools. The research will use a mixed-methods approach to assess overheating and indoor air quality risks in a representative sample of primary schools. Continuous monitoring of indoor temperature, carbon dioxide, and airborne pollutants will provide 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 research will evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions in real school settings and assess their broader benefits for pupil wellbeing and learning. The findings will inform clear guidance and recommendations for schools and local authorities, contributing to climate resilience in educational environments.

Funding: The studentship provides a bursary of £20,780 per annum, covers university fees at the home rate, and includes bench fees. International and EU students without Settled Status must pay the difference between home and international fees. Visa and associated costs are not covered.

Eligibility: Applicants should hold a first or upper second-class honours degree from a UK Higher Education Institution or an equivalent qualification. International/EU applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 6.0 and no score below 5.5, issued within the last 2 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.

Application Process: Apply directly via the Oxford Brookes University portal. Applications 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 proficiency if applicable. The deadline for applications is 20 February 2026. For queries, contact [email protected].

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to impactful research at the intersection of climate resilience, public health, and education, with strong institutional and local authority support.