Background

Energy House Laboratories (EHL) at the University of Salford is engaged in a long-term, multi-project, research programme exploring the development of the current and future housing stock. The team has a core focus on building physics, building performance, systems, and digital solutions to address issues such as net zero, fuel poverty, and healthy homes. The team is inter-disciplinary and industry facing, addressing the inter-connectedness of issues in housing. EHL is home to Energy House 1 and Energy House 2.0, which are unique test facilities designed to research homes at the whole building level under controlled conditions. These facilities have given the University of Salford an internationally competitive, high-impact research centre that has worked with major industry partners in the UK and internationally.

Aims of the Research

The Friends of Energy House 2.0 PhD Scholarship is a STEM-focused research PhD, focusing on issues of the future sustainability of housing from a technical perspective. The research question is open to discussion with a potential student, but must have the following characteristics:

• The candidate will propose a specific technical discipline, such as building physics or computer science, and related technical research question.
• The research question must be focused on solving the future issues of housing with a specific focus on sustainability. This may be focused on energy consumption, data analytics or issues such as future climate and overheating.
• The research question must have the potential for high impact with industry, policy makers or third sector partners.

Candidate requirements

The Friends of Energy House 2.0 PhD Scholarship has been designed to help increase access and opportunities in STEM and is, therefore, open for applications from female students and students from ethnic minorities. Please note that study is expected to start in May 2023 on a full-time basis.

The preferred candidate will have a MSc qualification or equivalent and will have to demonstrate technical competence in their chosen field, such as experimental research, modelling, or data analysis. Experience working in energy and buildings-related projects will be desirable.

The candidate should also demonstrate high-quality writing and communication skills, and an ability to work in both internal and external teams.

The successful candidate will have an opportunity to develop new skills in a unique, industry-facing, research-active environment.

Funding

The Friends of Energy house 2.0 PhD Scholarship is fully funded from the Friends of Energy House 2.0 Impact Fund. Funding is for applicants world wide and up to a maximum of £65,404 in total is to be paid over 3 .5 years for the successful candidate.

Friends of Energy House 2.0 is a community of like-minded industry partners who are committed to tackling the climate emergency through raising the profile, amplifying the activity, and enhancing to impact of our world-leading facility.

To become a Friend, our partners have generously donated to the Friends of Energy House 2.0 Impact Fund which has been designed to support critical projects which focus on driving the activity of the new facility and enhancing its social impact. Our current Friends include: Barratt Developments, Bellway Homes, Bowmer + Kirkland, BTS, Dyer Environmental Controls, Electricity North West, Persimmon, Schneider Electric, Eric Wright Construction and Seddon Construction.

Enquiries:

Richard Fitton (r.fitton@salford.ac.uk); Professor Will Swan (w.c.swan@salford.ac.uk)

Application

Interested applicants should submit their application and supporting documents into the online application system :  >> How to apply for PhD/ Research studies at Salford can be found at: https://www.salford.ac.uk/doctoral-school

Please include confirmation of your previous degree study certificates, your research proposal and CV.

Interviews for selected applicants are expected to be held in February 2023.