UKRI studentship

PhD opportunity: Space2Health at the University of Liverpool with Imago – SDR UK Imagery Data Service.

This doctoral project explores how satellite imagery and Earth Observation can be transformed into meaningful measures of environmental exposures linked to health. The research sits at the intersection of public health, geography, environmental science, GIS, spatial data science, and computer science, with opportunities to use AI, geospatial programming, machine learning, and large-scale health/environmental datasets.

The project is flexible and can be shaped with the successful candidate. Possible themes include healthy cities, climate and health, health inequalities, greenspace, air quality, heat exposure, active travel, and healthy ageing. The candidate may develop new spatial indicators, evaluate existing approaches, or apply established methods to public health questions. The work aims to produce rigorous, transparent, reproducible research that supports evidence-based policy and practice.

The studentship offers interdisciplinary training in Earth Observation, geospatial analysis, spatial data science, environmental exposure assessment, and public health research. The student will collaborate with researchers across geography, public health, environmental science, planning, and data science, as well as government and other external partners.

Eligibility: applicants from geography, public health, environmental science, planning, environmental policy, GIS, data science, computer science, or related disciplines are welcome. Prior experience with spatial data analysis is desirable, but applicants do not need to be experts in all methods before starting.

Funding: fully funded studentship covering full UK tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for 3.5 years at the UKRI standard rate (£20,780 per year for 2025–26). Research Training Support is also included for consumables, specialist training, and conference attendance. UK and international applicants may apply; international candidates must cover the difference between UK and international tuition fee rates.

Deadline: 24 July 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged.