Job Description

Ref Number

B02-08846

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

See advert text

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

Hybrid

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

30-Jun-2025

About us

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A 3-year PhD Studentship in environmental child health research, epidemiology and statistics funded by the UCL Office of the UCL Vice-Provost of Research, Innovation & Global Engagement (RIGE) is available within the Institute of UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. The studentship will commence from October 2025 onwards, under the supervision of Prof. Pia Hardelid and Dr. Niloofar Shoari.

Research Project Title:

Nursery and primary school physical environments and children's respiratory health

Background

Schools and nurseries are important settings for children's health and wellbeing, yet many school buildings in England are in poor condition. Nearly 40% of school buildings are beyond their expected lifespan, and thousands of children attend schools needing major repairs. Children spend most of their day indoors, where the quality of the indoor environment can directly affect their health. Efforts to make school buildings more energy-efficient are essential for sustainability and achieving net zero targets. However, these changes may also affect air quality, indoor temperature, humidity, and the spread of infectious diseases. Despite this, we still know little about how school and nursery buildings affect children's health and, in turn, their school attendance.

Hypothesis / Aims

As part of the transdisciplinary Child And Adolescent Health Impacts Of Learning Indoor Environments Under Net Zero: CHILI Hub (www.ucl.ac.uk/child-health/chili-hub), the aim of this PhD project is to examine the association between nursery attendance, and primary school building characteristics on children's respiratory health, with a particular focus on pre- or primary school children. The specific objectives are to:



1) carry out engagement events with nursery providers, parents and children to establish their priorities for research, in collaboration with Coram Families and Childcare



2) establish and validate cohorts of children attending nursery or primary schools in England within the ECHILD database



3) determine the association between nursery attendance, nursery characteristics and admission to hospital with respiratory infections in children



4) examine the association between school building characteristics and admission to hospital with respiratory infections, wheeze and asthma in primary school children

Research and Policy outputs

This PhD offers training in longitudinal analyses of linked administrative data that brings together de-identified hospital, social care and education records for all children in England. The student will use the Education and Child Health Insights from Linked Data (ECHILD) database (www.echild.ac.uk), which links education and health data nationally for all individuals born in England since 1984.



This PhD will contribute to the CHILI Hub, a new research hub examining the health and education impacts for children and young people in transitioning school and nursery buildings in the UK to net zero. Partners include (apart from UCL) Swansea University, UK Health Security Agency, Imperial College, University of York, University of Leeds and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

About you

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This is an excellent opportunity for training in analyses of large, linked health and education databases for individuals with a keen interest in environmental child health research.



The successful candidate will have a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree (preferably with a merit or distinction) in a relevant quantitative discipline such as epidemiology, medical statistics, demography or health data science.



Only students eligible for UK/Home fees status can apply.

What we offer

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This studentship provides a starting stipend of 22,780 per annum and covers the cost of tuition fees based on the UK (Home) rate.



This studentship provides paid parental and sick leave in line with UCL Doctoral School / UKRI entitlements.



Only students eligible for UK/Home fees status can apply.



NB: You will be asked about your likely fee status at the interview so we would advise you to contact the UCL Graduate Admissions Office for advice, should you be unsure whether or not you meet the eligibility criteria for Home fee status. EU nationals should see this Student fee status page for information about eligibility for Home fees. See also to the UKCISA website (England: HE fee status).

How to Apply

Please do not click the 'Apply Now' button next to the advert.



Enquiries regarding the post can be made to chilihub-management@ucl.ac.uk



To apply, please send a current CV including the contact details of two professional referees as well as a 1 sided A4 cover letter to chilihub-management@ucl.ac.uk



Closing date for applications: Monday 30th June 2025.



Interview: Week commencing Monday 14th July 2025.

Applications that are submitted without following the correct application process will not be considered.

The successful applicant will then be required to apply to and register on the Child Health research degree to take up the studentship.



Anticipated start date: 1st October 2025 to be confirmed subject to successful graduate application following interview.