PhD studentship (PUrE-INTRAWISE): Health Impacts of Low Carbon Dwellings

Supervisors: Dr. Sotiris Vardoulakis (LSHTM) and Dr. Marcella Ucci (UCL)

Topic In order to contribute towards achieving a better quality of the indoor environment, this project will study the environmental and health effects related to the generation, conservation and use of energy in buildings, with a particular focus on the domestic stock.

This interdisciplinary PhD project will focus on the health impacts associated with a range of future domestic energy generation/consumption scenarios for the UK. The study will include an exposure assessment taking into account pollution/heat sources, human behaviour and building characteristics, such as ventilation rates, insulation, and entrainment of outdoor air into the indoor environment. A range of quantitative exposure assessment techniques will be explored, tested and improved. This will involve literature surveys, use and development of mathematical models, and statistical analysis of datasets.

The studentship is available with immediate effect at the Public and Environmental Health Research Unit of LSHTM or the Bartlett School of Graduate Studies (Faculty of the Built Environment) at UCL through the project PUrE-INTRAWISE (Pollutants in the Urban Environment ' An Integrated Framework for Improving Sustainability of the Indoor Environment). Applicants may choose to apply for this position either to LSHTM or UCL (but not both). The applicant should choose which institution to apply to according to their scientific background and interests.

Award The award for the PUrE-INTRAWISE Doctoral Training Grant will cover full tuition fees at home rate and a stipend for a period of three years for eligible applicants.

Eligibility Requirements Applicants must be UK or EU citizens who have lived in the UK throughout the 3-year period immediately preceding the date of the award.

The ideal candidate would have (or expect to obtain) a good first degree and a Masters degree or equivalent in a scientific or engineering discipline. Knowledge of one or more of the following disciplines would be an advantage: environmental science or engineering, building engineering, building physics, environmental physics, environmental chemistry, mathematical modelling, environmental health, risk analysis, statistics.

How to Apply Applications should be submitted either to the Registry at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (registry@lshtm.ac.uk) or to the Bartlett School of Graduate Studies Faculty Clerk at University College London (annabel.brown@ucl.ac.uk). Please make sure that you note in your application that you are applying for the `PUrE-INTRAWISE' studentship.

Deadline for Applications The deadline for receipt of complete applications is 3rd July 2009. Those shortlisted may be expected to attend for interview shortly after. Further guidance on making an application can be found on the LSHTM website: ( www.lshtm.ac.uk/prospectus/howto ) or on the UCL website: ( http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/graduate/programmes/mphil_phd.htm )

Further Details For queries relating to the research programme please contact either Dr. Sotiris Vardoulakis (sotiris.vardoulakis@lshtm.ac.uk) or Dr. Marcella Ucci (m.ucci@ucl.ac.uk).

UCL Taking Action for Equality

The closing date for applications is Monday, 13th July 2009.