Tom Simcock

PhD opportunity at the University of Huddersfield on Housing, Workforce Stability and Public Service Resilience: The Role of Housing Affordability in Key Worker Recruitment, Retention and Wellbeing . This project examines how housing affordability and local housing supply affect key workers across sectors such as healthcare, fire and rescue, policing, and social care. The research asks how housing markets and the operational geographies of public services interact to shape access to suitable housing, commuting patterns, work-life balance, recruitment, retention, productivity, wellbeing, and the sustainability of essential public services. The project uses a mixed-methods design, combining analysis of housing and workforce data with qualitative research on the lived experiences of key workers. There are also opportunities to engage with policy stakeholders, public service organisations, and housing providers, making the work highly relevant to real-world policy and service delivery. Relevant academic interests include housing affordability , urban studies , public policy , public health , labour markets , social inequalities , and the future resilience of essential public services. Funding: fee waiver scholarship; tuition fees are covered. No stipend amount is stated. Deadline: Friday 19 June 2026. Contact: subject-specific enquiries to Dillon Newton at [email protected].

Fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Huddersfield in the School of Human and Health Sciences , based within the Healthy Housing Initiative . The project is titled “Poor Quality Housing, Domestic Fire Risk and the Prevention Agenda: The Role of the Fire and Rescue Services in Cross-Sector Housing Safety.” It explores how poor-quality housing may shape domestic fire risk and how Fire and Rescue Services can contribute to prevention through Safe and Well visits, community engagement, and partnership working with housing, public health, local government, and other stakeholders. This PhD is especially relevant to students interested in housing safety , healthy homes , fire prevention , domestic risk , public health , and cross-sector collaboration . The research is expected to use a mixed-methods design, combining analysis of fire incident and housing-related data with qualitative interviews and case study research involving Fire and Rescue Services and relevant partners. The studentship is fully funded for 3 years full-time and includes tuition fees plus a tax-free stipend starting at £21,805 for 2026/27 . The post specifies UK applicants only . Deadline: Friday 19 June 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the opportunity and contact the supervisor in advance if they would like to discuss the project before applying.