PhD in Environmental Sciences: Understanding How Places Shape Health Using Earth Observation (PhD)

The application deadline for the Sep 2027 intake is Jul 24, 2027. Tuition comes to 27,409 USD per year.

Overview

Space2Health explores how satellite imagery can be transformed into meaningful measures of environmental exposures linked to health. The project relies on recent AI technologies to develop and evaluate satellite-derived indicators, examining how data choices and analytical approaches shape health-relevant evidence for research and decision-making.

Project Background and Aims

Human health and wellbeing are influenced by genetic factors and individual behaviours, but also significantly by the characteristics of the places where people live, work, and travel. Understanding this influence is crucial for addressing major societal challenges such as climate change and health inequalities.

This PhD seeks to investigate how the characteristics of places affect human health and wellbeing, utilizing Earth Observation and geospatial data to deepen our understanding of these relationships. Potential research areas include healthy cities, climate and health, and health inequalities, providing opportunities to integrate various datasets.

Through collaboration with public health and environmental science researchers, the successful candidate will gain interdisciplinary training and contribute to generating evidence that supports effective public health policy and practice.

The University of Liverpool, founded in 1882 and located in the vibrant city of Liverpool, is a research-intensive institution with a global student body of around 32,000, including approximately 17,700 international students. The university offers a wide range of programs—over 200—across sciences, engineering, humanities, health and business, combining rigorous academics with practical industry links. Its historic campus and city connections provide a lively cultural setting and strong transport links across the UK and beyond.

Research and employability are central to the Liverpool experience, with interdisciplinary projects, industry partnerships and extensive placement opportunities embedded in many degrees. Students benefit from modern facilities, dedicated career services and a supportive academic community that helps translate theory into professional practice. The university's global networks also create exchange and collaboration pathways for study abroad and joint research.

International students receive comprehensive support from pre-arrival guidance to on-campus services, including English language support, visa advice and student societies that foster social integration. Liverpool’s affordable living costs relative to other UK cities, combined with its cultural life and sporting traditions, make it attractive to students seeking a balanced academic and social experience. The University of Liverpool is well-suited to ambitious students aiming for impactful research, strong career outcomes and a cosmopolitan student life.