Phd Studentship: Hybrid Microsimulation and Agent-Based Modelling of Healthy Ageing in Place in England

England’s population is ageing rapidly and those who need support most often live in communities already stretched by pressures on housing, transport, and care services. This fully funded PhD is your opportunity to tackle one of the defining challenges of our time: how do we help more people to age well in the places they call home?

Working with supervisors in ageing and health data science research, you will build a new hybrid simulation framework that combines individual-level microsimulation with agent-based modelling (ABM). Drawing on national datasets you will model how older people, families, local services, and neighbourhoods interact and evolve over time. You will work with the team to produce scenario analyses to inform policy.

This is an interdisciplinary project that sits at the intersection of ageing, health, and social simulation research. You will be embedded in the School of Health Sciences with support from three pan-university research centres, and will have dedicated funding for training, conference presentations, and stakeholder engagement.

Please contact richard.green@surrey.ac.uk for an informal discussion before applying.

Supervisors: Dr Richard Green and Dr Haomiao Jin

Entry requirements

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information. Starting in October 2026.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme.

We welcome applications from candidates with a background in public health, health or social sciences, statistics, data science, computer science, or a related quantitative discipline. Some prior experience in coding (R, Python, or similar) is essential but further training will be provided. We are keen to receive applicants with curiosity, motivation to develop advanced quantitative skills, and a genuine interest in working at the intersection of research and policy.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the Health Sciences PhD programme page.

In place of a research proposal, please upload a document stating the title of the project you wish to apply for and the name of the supervisor.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr Richard Green (richard.green@surrey.ac.uk) to discuss the project before submitting their application.

Funding

Full tuition fees (home rate) for 3.5 years; annual stipend aligned with UKRI rates (£21,805 for 2026/27, with annual increments); plus £8,000 research training support grant for training, conferences, and stakeholder engagement.

Application deadline 12 July 2026

Enquiries Contact Dr Richard Green

Ref PGR-2526-090

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