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

[£21,805 per annum bursary. University fees and bench fees covered to the home rate; international students must cover the difference between home and international fees. Visa and associated costs are not covered.]

This fully funded PhD studentship at Oxford Brookes University offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to climate resilience in primary schools across Oxfordshire. The HEALS project—Heat, Health, and Learning: Co-Designing Climate-Resilient Strategies for Primary Schools—addresses the growing risks posed by anthropogenic climate change, particularly the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the United Kingdom. These environmental changes threaten the health, wellbeing, and learning outcomes of children, especially in vulnerable school settings.

The doctoral research will employ a mixed-methods approach to investigate how extreme heat impacts indoor conditions, health, and learning in primary schools. The student will collaborate with schools and local councils to monitor classroom temperatures, carbon dioxide levels, and airborne pollutants, providing valuable insights into how heat accumulates and affects comfort, concentration, and wellbeing. The project will also explore the experiences of pupils and staff, co-designing 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 environments, with the aim of informing clear guidance and recommendations for schools and local authorities.

The research is closely linked to the £7.4 million HEARTH programme, the National Research Hub on Net Zero, Health and Extreme Heat, and will be conducted in partnership with the Low Carbon Building Research Group and Oxfordshire County Council. The studentship includes up to 6 hours of teaching per week during semester time, with additional preparation and marking responsibilities (no more than 20 hours per week), and participation in a teaching skills course.

Funding includes a £21,805 per annum bursary, with university fees and bench fees covered to the home rate. International students are required to cover the difference between home and international fees, and visa costs are not included. The position is open to home, EU, and international applicants. Entry requirements include a first or upper second-class honours degree from a UK institution or equivalent, and a valid IELTS (or equivalent) with a score of 6.0 and no element lower than 5.5. Applicants must submit a cover letter, CV, two references (at least one academic), a research proposal, degree certificates and transcripts, passport scan, and valid English language qualification. International applicants must provide evidence of funding.

Interviews will be held in person on 16 June 2026, and the successful candidate will start in September 2026. For further information or queries, contact Prof Rajat Gupta at [email protected] or [email protected]. Apply directly via the university portal using the provided link.