PhD Studentship - Pioneering Solutions for Heat-as-a-Service (HaaS) PhD Policy Analysis

Fuel poverty affects millions of people in the UK, and with the rising cost of living and the urgent need to decarbonise, finding sustainable heating solutions is more critical than ever. HaaS offers a range of services designed to provide affordable and efficient heating, but its effective deployment remains a challenge. This project aims to bridge that gap by developing comprehensive solutions that can be implemented across the UK.

Our innovative PhD project focuses on Heat-as-a-Service (HaaS), a ground-breaking approach to ensuring warm homes while tackling fuel poverty and supporting the transition to low-carbon heating solutions.

Why This Project Matters: Fuel poverty affects millions of people in the UK, and with the rising cost of living and the urgent need to decarbonise, finding sustainable heating solutions is more critical than ever. HaaS offers a range of services designed to provide affordable and efficient heating, but its effective deployment remains a challenge. This project aims to bridge that gap by developing comprehensive solutions that can be implemented across the UK.

Aims & objectives

• Explore and Evaluate: Deep dive into existing HaaS definitions, policies, pilots, and business models. Analyse their effectiveness and adaptability in today's fast-changing policy landscape.
• Identify Barriers and Benefits: Assess governance, ownership, and financial barriers to HaaS adoption. Investigate additional benefits such as energy system flexibility and health improvements.
• Develop Sustainable Solutions: Calculate economically viable cost/tariff levels for HaaS. Co-create innovative frameworks and business models to make HaaS accessible and affordable, ensuring a just transition to low-carbon heat.

Be part of a dynamic research team dedicated to making a difference. Your work will contribute to a fair and equitable transition to low-carbon heating, helping to alleviate fuel poverty and improve lives, please visit University of Strathclyde’s Centre for Energy Policy (CEP).

Eligibility

You must have a first Class or 2:1 Honours degree and hold a Masters with Distinction or Merit degree in a social science discipline from a recognised academic institution.  Ideally your degree(s) will be in:

• • Social Policy
  • Public Policy
  • Health
  • Energy
  • Climate
  • Economics or related and relevant disciplines.

Desirable attributes

• A demonstrable interest in energy, climate and public policy issues
• Some experience or understanding of economy-wide modelling approaches, though not essential, but where a willingness to develop this understanding through your PhD study would be extremely advantageous.

If you are suitably qualified, go to “apply now” under PhD Policy Analysis and select start between: Oct 2025-Sep 2026, start date: 1^st October 2025 and ensure that you have uploaded the required supporting documentation to your online application as only complete applications will be considered.

Interviews, for applicants who have been shortlisted, will be held around late May/early June 2025.

Funding

This funded studentship covers Home Fee and provides a stipend in line with UKRI guidance to cover their living expenses. Stipend for 2025/26 academic year is £20,199 payable at £1,683.25 per calendar month (tax free).

Although non-UK applicants can apply, this award is strictly for Home fees only, and no further funding available.

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