PhD scholarship for investigating the health impacts of social housing retrofits

Energy vulnerability denotes the risk of harm due to limited access to essential energy in the home. Poor thermal performance of dwellings in combination with low incomes are key determinants of energy vulnerability. Energy retrofits, which may include the improvement of the dwelling’s thermal envelope and an upgrade of heating/cooling appliances may reduce the risk of harm and improve health. 

This project will evaluate the health and wellbeing outcomes of large-scale social housing retrofit programs in Victoria which include the replacement of old wood, electric or gas fired heaters with new energy-efficient systems, draughtproofing and new or upgraded cooling systems. Taking a pragmatic approach to evaluate ‘what works’, the project will investigate the cause-effect mechanisms as well as the contextual influences to explain the nature and direction of intervention outcomes. The project will integrate health, social and building science-based investigations and involve concurrent quantitative and qualitative research components for the purpose of complementarity. Hence, the project will seek to provide a better understanding of the effects of these housing retrofits on engineering-based outcomes (e.g. energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions reduction and indoor air quality), health outcomes (e.g. mental health, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and injury) and the social constructions of essential domestic energy services such as heating and cooling. 

The project is part of the NHMRC Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) Network, which provides national and international leadership in environmental change and health.

Energy vulnerability denotes the risk of harm due to limited access to essential energy in the home. Poor thermal performance of dwellings in combination with low incomes are key determinants of energy vulnerability. Energy retrofits, which may include the improvement of the dwelling’s thermal envelope and an upgrade of heating/cooling appliances may reduce the risk of harm and improve health. 

This project will evaluate the health and wellbeing outcomes of large-scale social housing retrofit programs in Victoria which include the replacement of old wood, electric or gas fired heaters with new energy-efficient systems, draughtproofing and new or upgraded cooling systems. Taking a pragmatic approach to evaluate ‘what works’, the project will investigate the cause-effect mechanisms as well as the contextual influences to explain the nature and direction of intervention outcomes. The project will integrate health, social and building science-based investigations and involve concurrent quantitative and qualitative research components for the purpose of complementarity. Hence, the project will seek to provide a better understanding of the effects of these housing retrofits on engineering-based outcomes (e.g. energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions reduction and indoor air quality), health outcomes (e.g. mental health, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and injury) and the social constructions of essential domestic energy services such as heating and cooling. 

The project is part of the NHMRC Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) Network, which provides national and international leadership in environmental change and health.

The value of the scholarship is equivalent to an RMIT full Scholarship over 3 years.

The value of the scholarship is equivalent to an RMIT full Scholarship over 3 years.

One (1).

One (1).

Applicants must:

• Satisfy RMIT University’s Doctor of Philosophy entry requirements
• Hold a first-class Honours or Masters degree in a relevant discipline with a major thesis component
• International applicants must also meet the minimum English language requirements
• Candidates with excellent written and communication skills, demonstrated capacity to work independently and as a part of a team, and experience in research are preferred
• Candidates with skills and knowledge of health impact measurement, and building or housing retrofits are preferred but we will consider students with other appropriate skill sets.

Applicants must:

• Satisfy RMIT University’s Doctor of Philosophy entry requirements
• Hold a first-class Honours or Masters degree in a relevant discipline with a major thesis component
• International applicants must also meet the minimum English language requirements
• Candidates with excellent written and communication skills, demonstrated capacity to work independently and as a part of a team, and experience in research are preferred
• Candidates with skills and knowledge of health impact measurement, and building or housing retrofits are preferred but we will consider students with other appropriate skill sets.

Please submit the following documents to [email protected]

• A cover letter outlining interest and alignment with the proposed research and also addresses the eligibility criteria
• A copy of your academic transcripts
• Your CV (including the names of two referees).

Please submit the following documents to [email protected]

• A cover letter outlining interest and alignment with the proposed research and also addresses the eligibility criteria
• A copy of your academic transcripts
• Your CV (including the names of two referees).

Applications are open now.

Applications are open now.

Applications close when a candidate is selected.

Applications close when a candidate is selected.

This PhD scholarship is part of the Healthy Environment and Lives (HEAL) project which is a special initiative funded by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) involving a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral consortium. 

This PhD scholarship is part of the Healthy Environment and Lives (HEAL) project which is a special initiative funded by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) involving a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral consortium. 

This scholarship will be governed by RMIT University's Research Scholarship Terms and Conditions .

This scholarship will be governed by RMIT University's Research Scholarship Terms and Conditions .

Dr. Nicola Willand via [email protected]

Dr. Nicola Willand via [email protected]