Project title
Environmental noise and cardiometabolic health in UK populations
Supervisory team
About the Project
Despite growing evidence over the last two decades of the impacts of exposure to environmental noise on physical and mental health, noise is still considered to be a neglected pollutant in the UK. There are, in particular, significant gaps in evidence with regards to the cardiometabolic health effects of noise exposure, especially within a UK context. To address this, there is a need to estimate longitudinal effects for different noise sources (road, railway, aircraft), age groups, and settings on cardiometabolic outcomes across the life-course to derive robust effect estimates to support UK policy development and undertake health impact assessments aimed at improving and protecting public health.
This PhD project will examine the extent to which exposure to environmental noise (road traffic, railway, aircraft) in different settings influences the incidence of cardiometabolic health outcomes, such as heart disease and/or diabetes, and its sub-clinical indicators among diverse populations in the UK. This will be done by using epidemiological methods to analyse outcomes within multiple UK cohorts, that either have newly linked exposure data or have the potential to do so within the scope of the PhD project. Specifically the PhD project will involve:
- Developing novel noise exposure metrics and models and linking exposure data to cohorts.
- Conducting cohort-specific analyses of the effects and dose-response relationships of different noise sources and metrics of exposure on the incidence of cardiometabolic diseases and their sub-clinical indicators, adjusting for known confounders and examining effect modification with green space, air pollution, and socioeconomic factors.
- Use meta-analyses to pool effects across cohorts.
There will be scope to develop the PhD project in a way that aligns with the prospective student’s interests and development goals (e.g., may focus on specific health outcome or focus on more exposure assessment or on epidemiology).
The evidence generated as a result of this PhD project will inform noise and health impact assessments and planning processes for urban design, providing critical evidence to inform UK policy and guidance.
The candidate will join the Environmental and Social Epidemiology section, working with an internationally leading, and rapidly growing, population health and environmental science team, with a reputation for innovating and undertaking policy relevant research, applying social, health and environmental science to the problem of noise effects on health and communities. The team is currently made up of 15 members, working across diverse projects, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and learning.
Skills acquisition
- Environmental noise and exposure modelling
- Longitudinal cohorts and data linkage
- Environmental epidemiological analysis
- Statistical and spatial modelling
- Meta-analysis
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Coding and statistical software (e.g., R, ArcGIS, Python, STATA)
- Substantive (topical) expertise in noise and cardiometabolic health
We encourage prospective students with a broad range of quantitative, epidemiological, and/or environmental health experience to apply. Prior experience in the field of noise and health is not required.
Entry requirements
Essential
Applicants must hold, or expect to obtain before September 2024, an undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK) in a relevant area.
Ideally, we would expect applicants to hold a 1st or 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. Where applicants hold a 2.2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent), they should very clearly show their relevant prior experience and skills, and their suitability to undertake a PhD, in their application to provide a competitive comparison.
Desirable
While not required, having a post-graduate degree (e.g., Masters, MPhil) would be an advantage, particularly in a quantitative field.
Funding
The studentship provides funding for three years full-time and includes Home tuition fees plus a tax-free stipend in line with UKRI rates.
This studentship is only open to students subject to Home tuition fees or less.
Application process
Prospective applicants are welcome to contact Dr Sierra Clark to discuss the project.
Please send the completed application form to stgeorgesphd@sgul.ac.uk by no later than Friday 6 September 2024, 17.00 BST. An equal opportunities form should also be submitted as a separate document. References will be requested should you be successful in being offered the studentship.
Applications will undergo shortlisting and successful applicants will then be invited to interview Monday 23 September 2024.
The successful candidate will be given a verbal offer and once it has been accepted, will be sent a formal offer letter and a registration pack with joining information.
Unsuccessful candidates will be contacted with their outcomes at the earliest opportunity and will be able to request feedback if required.