Rethinking Cooling in the Built Environment for a Warming World

About the Project

Project Overview:

As global temperatures rise, the need to keep buildings cool is becoming one of the fastest growing energy challenges of our time. By 2050, energy demand for space cooling is expected to triple, driven by urbanisation, population growth, and rising living standards, particularly in hot and humid regions.

Today, most cooling relies on electricity-intensive air conditioning powered by fossil fuels. This creates a damaging feedback loop: higher temperatures drive more cooling demand, which increases emissions, further accelerating climate change. At the same time, growing dependence on mechanical cooling is placing critical strain on electrical grids, especially during peak demand posing serious challenges for developing countries and for the global transition to renewable energy.

Addressing this challenge requires bold, interdisciplinary thinking. This PhD opportunity invites motivated candidates to help shape the future of sustainable, energy-efficient and climate-resilient cooling.

Rather than prescribing a single topic, we encourage applicants to develop their own research proposal, tailored to their interests, expertise, and regional context. Possible directions include, but are not limited to:

1. Passive and Hybrid Cooling Solutions
   Explore innovative passive cooling approaches, such as natural ventilation and evaporative cooling, and hybrid systems that minimise reliance on conventional air conditioning.
2. Low-Energy Cooling Technologies
   Investigate emerging solutions including personalised comfort systems, advanced fan technologies, and other low-energy alternatives to conventional cooling.
3. Thermal Comfort and Human Adaptation
   Examine how behavioural adaptation, acclimatisation, and rethinking comfort standards can reduce dependence on mechanical cooling.
4. Climate-Responsive Building and Urban Design
   Study how buildings and cities can be designed to work with the climate incorporating shading, materials, and urban form to reduce cooling demand.
5. Nature-Based Cooling Solutions
   Investigate the role of green infrastructure, such as urban forests, green roofs and walls, water bodies, and landscape design, in reducing urban heat and cooling demand. Explore how nature-based solutions can be integrated with buildings and neighbourhoods to enhance thermal comfort and resilience.
6. Renewable Energy Integration and Storage
   Assess how solar cooling, thermal storage, and demand-side strategies can deliver sustainable cooling, particularly in off-grid or resource-constrained settings.

University of Reading:

The University of Reading, located west of London, England, is ranked at 172 globally, according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. 98% of research at the University is of international standing (REF 2021, combining the University’s world leading, internationally excellent and internationally recognised submissions). The University’s main Whiteknights Campus is set in 130 hectares of beautiful, award-winning parkland, less than a 30-minute train ride to London Paddington and is approximately 30 miles from London Heathrow airport.

During your PhD at the University of Reading, you will expand your research knowledge and skills, receiving supervision and training in a number of different forms. We also provide dedicated training in important transferable skills that will support your career aspirations. If you need to develop your academic English skills before you start your studies, then the University has an excellent Global Academy which can help with this.

Eligibility:

• Applicants should have a good Bachelor’s degree (minimum of a UK Upper Second (2:1) or equivalent)/Master’s degree in an Architecture, Engineering, Construction or strongly-related discipline.
• International applicants will also need to meet the University’s English Language requirements. We offer pre-sessional English courses that can help with meeting these requirements.

The University of Reading is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and non-discriminatory treatment for all members of its community.

How to apply:

Submit an application for a PhD in Construction Management via our online application system. Please mention Dr Rory Jones as your preferred supervisor in your application.

Further information:

Construction Management and Engineering PhD webpage

Enquiries:

Dr Rory Jones email : r.v.jones@reading.ac.uk

Please contact me by email with any initial enquiries and to discuss the focus of your PhD proposal.