York School of Architecture fully funded PhD studentship

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The research project

This PhD will sit within an international, industry-engaged programme with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to create the evidence base that enables low-carbon modular construction at scale. The doctoral research will contribute to: (i) a consistent, Canadian-context methodology for whole-building life-cycle carbon and cost assessment (WBLCCA/LCC); (ii) national carbon and cost datasets for offsite/modular systems; and (iii) comparative case studies that put modular and conventional approaches on a fair, like-for-like footing.

You will help deliver core work packages: a global/systematic evidence review; development of data schemas and accounting methods aligned to ISO/EN building standards; primary data collection with manufacturers and project teams; and an applied comparison using a real Canadian case study. Timber/offsite wood archetypes for mid- to high-rise buildings are a specific focus, reflecting Canada’s resource base and international best practice. Outputs will include peer-reviewed papers, industry white papers, and versioned dataset releases.

The project is collaborative by design. Both York and NRC will lead some of the activities, ensuring the work is shaped by—and useful to—industry and policy.

By the end of the doctorate, you’ll have advanced methods and open, defensible data that help Canadian stakeholders make better, faster decisions on carbon and cost in modular construction—backed by an international consortium and a clear route to impact through guidance, tools, and dissemination.

This is a rarely available opportunity for a fully-funded, internationally-relevant doctorate in an area of the built environment that is fast moving and key to industry and policy development in both the UK and Canada in the coming years and decade. By successfully completed your doctorate within this funded project you will be ideally placed for an international career in industry, policy, or academia.

Supervision and research environment

Primary supervision will be provided by Professor Francesco Pomponi (Chair of Sustainability & Environment) at the York School of Architecture (YSA), University of York. Prof Pomponi is the Principal Investigator and an internationally recognised scholar in embodied and whole-life carbon with deep experience in modular/timber projects. The NRC collaboration team will contribute to supervising relevant strands, eg case-study design, national costing data, and industry report development.
You’ll join a research-intensive university with strong publication expectations and access to cross-faculty expertise in data science, engineering, and environmental economics. The programme includes structured engagement with NRC and sector partners, providing mentorship across institutions and disciplines. Annual mini-conferences, site visits and workshops are built into the workplan, offering multiple touchpoints with manufacturers, developers, policymakers, and professional bodies.
Annual regular travel to Canada is essential to this project, and the successful candidate is expected to be both excited and able to carry out such activities.

We are committed to an inclusive environment and equitable mentorship. The project’s EDI plan includes targeted outreach to under-represented groups, co-created role descriptions, and gender-balanced mentoring across York and NRC. Regular reflection sessions ensure support is responsive to student needs.

Funding and benefits

This studentship is aligned to a multi-year York–NRC programme with dedicated resources for stakeholder engagement, travel and dissemination, eg launch/closing events in Canada; site visits; annual mini-conferences. The candidate will be able to draw on these activities for data collection, networking, and impact.