PhD Studentship: Improving health and wellbeing in Nottingham through improved understanding of the link between air pollution and health.

NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre

Medicine and Health Sciences

School of Medicine

The University of Nottingham

PhD Opportunity- UK Students only – not eligible for International students

Project Title: Improving health and wellbeing in Nottingham through improved understanding of the link between air pollution and health.

Project Description:

The harmful effects of air pollution on health are known, but the improvements in air quality reported UK-wide are leading to better health outcomes as expected. This may well be because although standard measures of air pollution such as fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide are declining, the composition of the air we breathe and the timing of peak levels of pollution (episodes) is changing in response to changes in both emissions and climate. In the health sector, emergency respiratory hospital admissions due to ozone are projected to increase, presenting a major concern. There is thus an urgency to improve our understanding of the relationship between air quality and health data, particularly at the local scale, where impacts on individuals, communities and health services will be most evident.

Through a collaboration with Nottingham City Council, a comprehensive local network of air quality monitors allows us to track, in real-time, a number of key air pollutants alongside temperature and traffic levels. Used in conjunction with an air pollution model, this data will be used by this project to assess pollution concentrations across the city in unprecedented detail. Health data from Nottingham University Hospitals Trust will be used to track acute presentations of illness and link this to air pollution data.

This PhD research project will combine air quality and health data, using Nottingham as a case study. This work has the potential to inform new approaches to air quality targets in the UK and beyond and could provide a step change in preventative advice to communities most at risk of acute air pollution-linked health conditions. Ultimately, the outcomes of this research could help reduce morbidity and local health service pressures and have wider economic benefits.

This project has been co-created and is supported by researchers from Nottingham Trent University (NTU), the University of Nottingham (UoN) and partners at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. The successful candidate for this project will be enrolled at the University of Nottingham.

Who is this PhD suitable for?

This PhD is suitable for a hard-working researcher with an interest in respiratory medicine, health improvement and working with numerical data/information . Essential skills: Experience of handling or working with numerical data/information, Strong understanding of air pollution issues, Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with a people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Desirable skills: Professional, academic, or other background in a relevantfield (i.e., health, biomedical sector, etc.), Experience working with large, complex data sets, Experience with or strong understanding of working with statistics.

Funding notes

Tuition fees covered in full (worth approx. £15k across full PhD programme). Monthly stipend based on £19,237 per annum, pro rata, tax free.

Supervisors:

• Lead Academic Supervisor: Prof Charlotte Bolton (UoN)
• Academic Co-Supervisor: Dr Thomas William Johnson (NTU)
• Academic Co-Supervisor: Prof Sarah Metcalfe (UoN)
• Community Supervisor: Prof Phil Quinlan (Nottingham University Hospitals Trust)

Informal inquiries can be made to Prof Charlotte Bolton (UoN)

Further information can be found in the following link: https://ufncollaboratory.ac.uk/improved-understanding-of-the-link-between-air-pollution-and-health/

To apply please follow this link: https://ufncollaboratory.ac.uk/phdapply2024-25/

Application deadline:8^th December 2024

Start date: 1^st April 2025

Closing Date: 08 Dec 2024
Category: Studentships