Development of Low-Energy Social Housing for comfortable and affordable homes.

Summary

The transition to net zero presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Northern Ireland’s housing sector.

Social housing plays a crucial role in delivering energy-efficient, affordable, and healthy homes, aligned with the Department for the Economy’s Energy Strategy and Action Plan 2025.

However, despite the growth in low-energy and high-performance building standards, there remains a persistent performance gap—the difference between modelled and actual energy performance and thermal comfort—that limits confidence in design approaches and policy implementation.

This PhD will offer the candidate a unique opportunity to work closely with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) in practical, real-case scenarios. It will focus on the evaluation of the performance gap and the integration of occupant behaviour with building performance in new-build, low-energy social housing.

The project will combine in-situ environmental monitoring, energy data analysis, and post-occupancy evaluation to build a robust evidence base for housing policy and design.

The research will pursue three main objectives:

• Characterise Energy Performance and Comfort — compare predicted and actual performance in selected developments.
• Integrate Human Factors — explore how occupant behaviour influences energy use and comfort to improve predictive models and inform design strategies.
• Work in Practical Settings — engage directly with NIHE to implement and test research methods in operational housing schemes.

This work will equip the candidate with hands-on experience at the intersection of research, policy, and practice, producing insights to support the delivery of sustainable, affordable, and high-quality homes for Northern Ireland.

This is a collaborative research project with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Applicants should have a degree or be near completion of a degree) in a relevant discipline such as building engineering, environmental science, building physics, energy engineering, mechanical/mechatronic engineering, or a related field.

Skills required of the applicant:

• A strong interest in building performance, energy efficiency, and occupant behaviour is essential.
• Basic skills in data analysis, statistics, and environmental monitoring are desirable, along with familiarity with sustainable building standards.
• Knowledge of thermodynamics, HVAC systems, or control systems is advantageous.
• Experience with environmental monitoring equipment, sensor systems, or energy modelling software will be beneficial.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment are important.

This is a collaborative research project with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)

This scholarship will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £21,000* (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum is also available.

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National, or

• Have settled status, or

• Have pre-settled status, or

• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or

• be an Irish National

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period