At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform UK schools with innovative retrofit strategies for health and climate resilience.
- Company: Join the Buildings, Energy and Environment Research Group at the University of Nottingham.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, training, and support in a thriving research environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on educational buildings while contributing to national net-zero goals.
- Qualifications: First-class or 2:1 degree in relevant fields; passion for sustainable buildings is essential.
- Other info: Collaborate with industry partners and engage in cutting-edge research.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
This exciting opportunity is based within the Buildings, Energy and Environment (BEE) Research Group in the Faculty of Engineering. The BEE Research Group conducts cutting-edge research into low-energy buildings, building performance, retrofit and decarbonisation, indoor environmental quality, and climate-resilient design, providing a strong interdisciplinary environment for doctoral research.
This project aims to transform the UK school estate by developing evidence-based, climate-resilient retrofit strategies that deliver healthier indoor environments, lower carbon emissions, and long-term building performance. By integrating Passive House and EnerPHit principles with real building data, the research will support the creation of future-ready schools that protect children’s wellbeing while contributing to national net-zero and climate adaptation goals.
This project is aimed at a highly motivated PhD student with an interest in sustainable buildings, retrofit, and environmental performance, who is keen to work with real buildings, performance data, and applied research challenges. The successful candidate will be curious, analytical, and motivated to tackle real-world problems at the intersection of energy, health, and climate resilience. The research will address under-researched, socially critical building types in the UK educational sector, focusing on schools with issues such as poor energy performance, overheating, inadequate ventilation, and moisture risks.
You will have the opportunity to develop an evidence-based, Passive House–informed retrofit framework for UK school buildings, focusing on energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and climate resilience. You will gain hands-on experience in building performance evaluation, hygrothermal analysis, whole-life carbon assessment, and in-situ environmental monitoring, working with real school buildings and measured datasets. The research aims to deliver practical, scalable retrofit solutions that support healthier learning environments and national net-zero ambitions. You will work with an experienced supervisory team within the BEE Research Group, led by Dr Sara Mohamed, with co-supervision from academic colleagues within the BEE Research Group. You will engage with advanced research facilities, real building datasets, and, where appropriate, industry partners and external stakeholders, developing skills relevant to both academic and professional practice.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated, and resourceful PhD candidate with a strong interest in sustainable buildings, retrofit, and environmental performance. The successful applicant will be motivated to address real-world challenges related to energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and climate resilience, particularly in educational buildings.
Essential competences
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- A high level of independence and self-motivation
- An analytical mindset with strong problem-solving abilities
- Strong organisational and time-management skills
- Ability to work effectively both independently and within a research team
Desirable competences
- A background in architecture or interdisciplinary built-environment fields
- Experience in sustainable architecture or building physics
- A strong interest in retrofit research
- Confidence in using quantitative methods, including environmental monitoring and performance evaluation
- Experience or interest in dynamic building performance analysis
- Ability to collaborate and engage with a range of stakeholders, including academic, industry, and user groups
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to handle data confidently and ethically
Entry requirements
- A first-class or 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
- A relevant Master’s degree, or equivalent professional experience, in sustainable design, building physics, energy modelling, or environmental performance is highly desirable.
Funding, environment & equality
Funding will be sought from the University of Nottingham as part of a competitive process, covering home tuition fees and a UKRI doctoral stipend. The University of Nottingham actively supports Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The Faculty of Engineering provides a thriving research environment for postgraduate researchers, fostering a strong sense of community across disciplines. PGRs benefit from training through the Researcher Academy Training Programme, including bespoke courses for Engineering researchers on academic writing, networking, and career development. The faculty also offers outstanding facilities and maintains strong partnerships with leading industrial collaborators.
How to apply
Please contact Sara Mohamed with your CV and supporting statement to apply for this project — sara.mohamed3@nottingham.ac.uk
EPSRC PhD Studentship: Retrofitting UK Schools for Health, Performance and Climate Resilience in Nottingham employer: University Of Nottingham
Contact Detail:
University Of Nottingham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land EPSRC PhD Studentship: Retrofitting UK Schools for Health, Performance and Climate Resilience in Nottingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of sustainable buildings and retrofit. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you to someone looking for a candidate just like you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your enthusiasm for sustainable design and climate resilience. Share your ideas on how you can contribute to their projects, especially in the context of improving UK schools.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in building performance and retrofit strategies. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals, particularly around energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. This will show that you're not just a good fit, but also genuinely interested in their work.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. So, get your CV polished and hit that apply button!
We think you need these skills to ace EPSRC PhD Studentship: Retrofitting UK Schools for Health, Performance and Climate Resilience in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for sustainable buildings and retrofit in your application. Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your interest in tackling real-world challenges related to energy efficiency and climate resilience.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight your academic achievements, relevant skills, and any experience in building performance evaluation or environmental monitoring. We want to see how you fit into our vision!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this PhD project. Discuss your analytical mindset, problem-solving abilities, and how you plan to contribute to the research group.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. Make sure to include all required documents and double-check everything before hitting send. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at University Of Nottingham
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the principles of sustainable buildings and retrofit strategies. Brush up on Passive House and EnerPHit concepts, as well as any recent research related to indoor environmental quality and climate resilience. This will show your genuine interest and understanding of the project.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, express your enthusiasm for tackling real-world challenges in the educational sector. Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your motivation for improving energy efficiency and indoor environments in schools. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a personal level.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a list of thoughtful questions ready about the research group, the project’s goals, and potential collaborations with industry partners. This demonstrates your proactive approach and eagerness to engage with the team and stakeholders involved in the project.
✨Highlight Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your analytical mindset and problem-solving abilities. Provide examples of how you've successfully handled data or worked on projects related to building performance evaluation. This will reinforce your suitability for the role and your ability to contribute effectively to the research.
