Biomedical Engineering : Fully Funded Herschel Limited and EPSRC PhD in Infra Red Heating Systems, Human Thermal Comfort and Behaviour (RS866)

Funding provider: Herschel Limited and EPSRC 

Subject area: Thermal Physiology, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Sciences, Human Physiology, Materials, Physical Sciences 

Project start dates:  ** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates)

• 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September) 

• 1 January 2026 

Supervisors: Professor Richard Bracken, Dr Bruce Philip, Dr Rachel Churm 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Biomedical Engineering 

Mode of study: Full-time and part time  

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to spend time at Herschel sites over the study period 

Project description:  

Infrared heating heats people and surfaces directly, without heating the air in between. Thus, it is claimed that radiant heating can provide thermal comfort at lower internal air temperatures, thereby saving home and industrial energy. Furthermore, rapid response rates could enable heating to be delivered only where and when a room is occupied. These factors have led to claims by manufacturers of IR efficiencies like heat pumps. Currently the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) attributes infrared heating the same CO2 equivalent as direct electrical heating. However, it is currently unclear if this is the case. As this is the methodology used by government to assess and compare the energy and environmental performance of dwellings, the current rating disincentivises developers from specifying the technology, hence there is a drive from the industry to address this.  

To answer this question requires an interdisciplinarity approach, combining Industry input alongside physical sciences and physiological assessment of human temperature.  

Indoor thermal comfort is perceived in humans with wide variance, by a variety of methods and does not have one industry standardised validated method. Equally, the current standard for testing the radiant efficiency of low temperature radiant heaters (BSEN 60675-3 (2021)) does not consider human thermal comfort. Humans are radiant objects. More than 60% of the sense of comfort or discomfort is governed by their radiant heat gain or loss, only 15% by air temperature and movement. This means a human may express feelings of warmth if either they are absorbing heat from the environment or reducing the radiation of body heat to it. For most people, the body is either gaining or losing too much body heat if the environment is more than 26°C or less than 16°C, with associated feelings of discomfort. 

At Swansea University we can monitor a range of perceptual, physiological and temperature parameters, alongside an array of other physiological monitoring tools to measure energy expenditure, and in blood sampling under thermoneutral or hyperthermic environments. In addition, SPECIFIC is an Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) based at Swansea University who focus on energy technology research particularly in developing "Active Buildings." These buildings are designed to generate, store, and release their own renewable energy, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and address energy challenges. SPECIFIC have constructed a climatically controlled room capable of measuring the flow of electrical inputs and thermal outputs accurately independent of outdoor conditions. Finally, Herschel Infrared Ltd are a project partner who are a leading UK brand specializing in infrared heating solutions. They offer energy-efficient infrared heating panels for homes, commercial spaces, and outdoor areas. Their headquarters are in Bristol. 

Combined, the ability to sensitively evaluate a humans perception of thermal comfort under well controlled environments offers an opportunity to develop protocols that seek to evaluate human thermal regulation and comfort in response to different infra-red radiant heat environments.  

Our aim with this co-funded PhD studentship is to:  

1. Establish a pilot working methods for a reliable determination of infrared heating systems performance in situ. 
2. Establish standard operating procedures to allow for objective assessment of heating system effects on perceived thermal comfort and associated physiological responses in different population subgroups e.g. young, old, male, female etc. 

1. Develop a database of participants responses to infra-red heating.  Providing rapid, responsive heating of individuals could drastically reduce space heating energy requirements while increasing thermal comfort. 

Reduced upfront costs and a potential reduction in running costs could provide a viable heating alternative in IR heating, particularly for those facing fuel poverty.  

UK fee-eligible students only 

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA - Full list of categories for HE in Wales 

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. We also welcome applications from graduates in computational science or mathematics. See Country Specific Entry Requirements page.  

English Language 

IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available. 

Funding Duration: 3 years  

To apply, please complete the entire application form, following this link: Complete your application here in Learner Gateway

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required. 

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS866 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory) 

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  
  • the RS Code, RS866 and 
  • the scholarship title.   
• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank 
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank 
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected. 

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Professor Richard Bracken r.m.bracken@swansea.ac.uk 

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable. 

** In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period.