PhD positions at Tyndall Manchester, associated with CAST. We’d like to draw your attention to a trio of PhD positions being advertised at Tyndall Manchester, associated with the ESRC Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformation. We’d very much appreciate it if you could share this message with any aspiring Masters students you might have:
Accelerating city level climate action
Supervisor: Prof C McLachlan
This project will explore the ways in which cities are making significant emissions reductions in order to meet their climate change commitments and goals. It will critically evaluate different approaches and contexts and identify how action at the sub national scale can be accelerated and replicated. The project will deliver high-quality research to inform city level actors as well as stakeholders at national and international levels on the efficacy of different approaches to: climate action planning, target setting, stakeholder partnerships, just transition, finance and measuring/monitoring performance. There will be opportunities to build collaborations with cities in the UK and internationally in order to co-produce analysis and recommendations with stakeholders.
The role of demand in Net Zero water UK
Supervisor: Dr C Hoolohan, Prof C McLachlan
UK water companies have ambitious commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with achieving Net Zero by 2030, however, the role of residential water demand is as yet unclear. This PhD will conduct a mixed-method analysis of the role of demand-side mitigation options including overall reduction, relocation and shifting the timing of water use. Typically, water demand management places emphasis on water companies, the regulators and consumers as agents of change. However, in order to achieve the systemic changes needed to deliver Net Zero, there is a need for a broader perspective on demand that accounts for the multifaceted role of organisations and explores the full range of their influence. The project will deliver high-quality research that will inform the UK water industry’s transition to Net Zero and contribute to achieving sustainability and resilience in water systems. A co-productive approach will ensure that the research informs decision-making and policy-making across the water sector.
The impacts of climate change on climate mitigation
Supervisor: Dr R Wood
The mitigation of climate change will involve significant changes to both infrastructure and people’s lifestyles. From increased active travel, diet and changes in the way we heat our homes, lifestyle changes will be central to the successful mitigation of climate change. However successful mitigation is, we will still experience the impacts of climate change – many of which can negatively affect both the provision of infrastructure services and lifestyle changes. This project will systematically identify how the impacts of climate change could affect the deployment and success of changes to both lifestyles and the infrastructure designed to mitigate climate change. It will identify mechanisms through which climate impacts influence mitigation activities, using climate impact data, creating a risk assessment including both quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis. The project aim is to identify how the impacts of climate change (incl increased frequencies of intensive rainfall, changes in mean and extreme temperatures) could influence the successful delivery of decarbonization and how negative impacts can be avoided or minimized.
Successful candidates will benefit from a place within the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformation, two world-leading centres for interdisciplinary climate change research. With access to unrivalled specialist expertise and opportunities to develop transferable skills, as well as the University of Manchester’s extensive training and development programme, these are exciting opportunities for candidates with a good first degree in geography or social science subject
This 3.5 year studentship covers tuition fees at the Home fee rate and provides a tax-free stipend at the standard UKRI rate for a PhD starting in September 2021. EU and overseas students can apply but will need to source additional funding themselves to cover the difference between the tuition fee rates. Self-funded students interested in a relevant topic are also welcome to contact the supervisory team.
