PhD Studentship: Policy-Ready Evidence for Living Green Walls: Methods and Metrics for Urban Greenery Decision-Making

Cities are increasingly turning to living walls and other forms of urban greenery to improve biodiversity, air quality, and climate resilience. Yet, robust scientific evidence on how these systems deliver environmental benefits remains limited.

This PhD will explore how green infrastructure supports ecosystem health and biodiversity in cities. Working with Manchester Met’s Smart Infrastructure Lab and partner urban sites, the successful candidate will collect and analyse real-world environmental data to evaluate how vegetation interacts with the built environment.

You will be supported by a multidisciplinary supervisory team spanning engineering, ecology, and environmental science, with access to state-of-the-art laboratories, field sensors, and data-analysis facilities. You will also join Manchester Met’s Doctoral College community, benefiting from specialist training, collaboration opportunities, and professional development.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated researcher passionate about environmental sustainability, data-informed science, and greener urban futures, eager to contribute to world-leading research with real societal impact.

Project aims and objectives

This project aims to generate robust scientific evidence on the ecological and environmental performance of urban green infrastructure.
Objectives include:

• Quantifying the biodiversity and environmental benefits of living walls and other green systems through field studies and environmental monitoring;
• Developing data-informed approaches to measure and explain ecological change;
• Assessing how design, maintenance, and local conditions influence environmental outcomes;
• Producing evidence-based insights to inform sustainable urban design and policy.

The project will advance academic understanding of how green infrastructure contributes to resilient, nature-positive cities. 

Funding

Both Home and International students can apply. Only home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3.5-year award, which is £5,006 for the year 2025/26. Eligible international students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding (Band 3 for the year 2025/26).

The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £20,780 for the academic year 2025/26. 

Specific requirements of the candidate

We welcome applicants from disciplines such as environmental science, ecology, geography, engineering, and data analytics.

Essential:

• A strong academic background (2:1 or above, or equivalent) in a relevant subject;
• Experience with statistical analysis and at least one programming language (e.g. R, Python, MATLAB);
• Interest in sustainability and evidence-based environmental research.

Desirable

• Knowledge of ecological survey design and biodiversity monitoring techniques;
• Familiarity with environmental sensors or data-collection systems;
• Experience of UK habitat or ecological surveying, including vegetation or biodiversity field methods;
• Ability to work across disciplines, linking ecology with data-driven analysis;

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Dr Weizhuo Wang (w.wang@mmu.ac.uk) for an informal discussion. 

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Engineering

Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal.

Applications closing date: 3 March 2026

Expected start date: October 2026

Please quote the reference: SciEng-WZW-2026-27-Smart Urban Greenery 

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