EPSRC PhD Studentship: Retrofitting UK Schools for Health, Performance and Climate Resilience (ENG307)

Retrofitting UK Schools for Health, Performance, and Climate Resilience

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.

Vision

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.

Motivation

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 make a significant societal and environmental impact by addressing one of the most under-researched yet socially critical building types in the UK: schools. Many UK schools suffer from poor energy performance, overheating, inadequate ventilation, and moisture risks, directly affecting children’s health, wellbeing, and learning outcomes. This PhD will develop evidence-based, Passive House–informed retrofit strategies tailored to diverse school typologies, supporting healthier indoor environments, reduced carbon emissions, and long-term resilience. The outcomes will provide practical guidance for designers, policymakers, and school estate managers, contributing to the Net Zero Schools agenda and improving everyday learning environments for future generations.

Aim

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 and supportive supervisory team within the Buildings, Energy and Environment (BEE) Research Group in the Faculty of Engineering. The project will be led by Dr Sara Mohamed, with co-supervision from academic colleagues within the BEE Research Group. You will also 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.

 Who we are looking for

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.

Who We Are Looking For

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

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

Excellent verbal and written communication skillsA high level of independence and self-motivationAn analytical mindset with strong problem-solving abilitiesStrong organisational and time-management skillsAbility to work effectively both independently and within a research team

Desirable Competences

The prospective candidate may also have:

A background in architecture or interdisciplinary built-environment fieldsExperience in sustainable architecture or building physicsA strong interest in retrofit researchConfidence in using quantitative methods, including environmental monitoring and performance evaluationExperience or interest in dynamic building performance analysisAbility to collaborate and engage with a range of stakeholders, including academic, industry, and user groupsStrong 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 Support and Research Environment

After a suitable candidate is identified, 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.

Funding support

After a suitable candidate is found, funding is then sought from the University of Nottingham as part of a competitive process (this will cover home tuition fees and UKRI stipend).

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages from all sections of society.

The Faculty of Engineering provides a thriving working environment for all PGRs creating a strong sense of community across research disciplines. Community and research culture is important to our PGRs and the FoE support this by working closely with our Postgraduate Research Society (PGES) and our PGR Research Group Reps to enhance the research environment for PGRs. PGRs benefit from training through the Researcher Academy’s Training Programme, those based within the Faculty of Engineering have access to bespoke courses developed for Engineering PGRs. including sessions on paper writing, networking and career development after the PhD. The Faculty has outstanding facilities and works in partnership with leading industrial partners. 

Please contact Sara Mohamed with your CV and supporting statement to apply for this project - sara.mohamed3@nottingham.ac.uk

Closing Date: 02 Feb 2026
Category: Studentships