Investigating the Impact of Warmer UK Summers on Urban VOC Concentrations and Air Quality

This PhD project aims to evaluate how projected increases in summer temperatures, driven by anthropogenic climate change, will influence volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations in the UK and their role in shaping future urban air quality.

Anthropogenic climate change is expected to intensify the frequency and severity of heatwaves, with UK summer temperatures potentially exceeding 40 °C by 2100. These changes have significant implications for urban air quality, driven by increased biogenic emissions, accelerated reaction kinetics and possibly higher anthropogenic emissions. These processes collectively could increase ozone and PM concentrations, exacerbating health and environmental risks. Urban greening initiatives may also inadvertently elevate VOC emissions. Addressing these challenges requires high-resolution measurements of VOCs and their oxidation products under heatwave conditions.

To address this, we will quantify VOC concentrations during heatwave conditions in the UK using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry instrumentation, with a focus on both anthropogenic and biogenic sources and identify key oxidation pathways and products of VOCs, providing insights into their roles in ozone and PM formation under elevated temperatures.

The research will leverage the University of Manchester’s leading expertise in atmospheric measurements and instrumentation, utilising a newly commissioned fast-switching multi-reagent bipolar chemical ionisation mass spectrometer (CIMS). This cutting-edge instrument offers capability to simultaneously measure a suite of precursors and products, enabling comprehensive VOC and oxidation product analysis and rapid switching between reagent ions to target a broad suite of compounds.

Measurements will be conducted at the NERC Air Quality Supersite, which is equipped with a wide array of complementary instrumentation. The project will aim to leverage other aligned projects in this area. This project will include intensive summer campaigns during heatwave events to capture VOC emission dynamics and atmospheric chemistry under extreme conditions and data analysis to improve understanding of key processes as we move to a warming climate.

The University of Manchester offers an exceptional research environment, with a strong track record in atmospheric science, cutting-edge instrumentation, and the NERC Air Quality Supersites. The supervisory team, led by Dr Thomas Bannan has extensive expertise in trace gas measurements, VOC chemistry, and air quality.

The ideal candidate will have a background in atmospheric science, chemistry, or environmental science and a keen interest in experimental fieldwork. This PhD offers the opportunity to conduct world-leading research with real-world impact, addressing critical challenges in urban air quality and climate change adaptation.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Funding

This 3.5 year PhD is fully funded for home students; tuition fees will be paid and you will receive a tax free stipend. The start date is July 2025. If you are an overseas student, please see the information below.

At Manchester we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level, to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers applying for competition and self-funded projects.

For more information, visit our funding page or search our funding database for specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor, Dr Thomas Bannan (Email: thomas.bannan@manchester.ac.uk), for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).

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