PhD Engineering Safer Healthcare Water Systems: Evaluating Cold Water Recirculation for Water Quality and Pathogen Control

Project Description

At the Institute for Sustainable Built Environment (ISBE) at Heriot-Watt University, this exciting project will address a critical and emerging challenge facing healthcare providers. Healthcare water systems must deliver safe drinking water while minimising the risk of waterborne infections. Current guidance emphasises maintaining cold water temperatures below 20°C and reducing stagnation to limit the growth of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs), including Legionella pneumophila, non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

As healthcare organisations pursue sustainability and Net Zero objectives, cold water recirculation systems are receiving increasing attention. These systems have the potential to improve water turnover, reduce water age, minimise flushing requirements, and decrease water wastage. However, there is currently limited scientific evidence to support their widespread adoption within healthcare buildings.

While recirculation may reduce stagnation, it may also introduce unintended consequences, including heat gain, disinfectant decay, biofilm formation, and conditions that favour microbial growth. Understanding these competing mechanisms is essential in healthcare environments where infection prevention is paramount and patient populations are particularly vulnerable.

Working in collaboration with NHS Scotland Assure, this PhD project will provide one of the first comprehensive evaluations of cold water recirculation systems within NHS healthcare facilities. The research will combine engineering analysis, environmental monitoring, operational data assessment, and healthcare infrastructure investigations to determine whether these systems provide a net benefit or introduce additional risks.

The successful candidate will undertake a national assessment of cold water recirculation systems across NHS Health Boards, examining system design, operation, maintenance practices, and performance. The project will involve analysing Building Management System (BMS) data, temperature monitoring records, and dedicated logging campaigns to evaluate operational effectiveness and compliance with current standards.

The research will also assess water quality management approaches across healthcare organisations, reviewing microbiological sampling data and monitoring practices to identify factors associated with effective control of water quality and pathogen risks. In addition, the project will investigate historical healthcare-associated infection incidents where domestic water systems may have contributed to transmission, exploring links between system design, operation, environmental conditions, and infection risk.

The findings will be synthesised into evidence-based recommendations for healthcare infrastructure design, operation, and management. These outcomes are expected to directly inform future NHS Scotland Assure guidance and engineering standards, helping healthcare organisations balance infection prevention, water efficiency, and sustainability objectives.

You will join our dynamic Public Health and Environmental Engineering research group, working within a multidisciplinary team with expertise spanning water engineering, building services, environmental health, healthcare infrastructure, and infection prevention. The group has a strong track record of delivering impactful research that informs policy, standards, and professional practice. You will benefit from a supportive research environment, access to specialist facilities and equipment, close collaboration with NHS stakeholders, and opportunities to publish in leading journals and present at national and international conferences.

Eligibility:

The successful candidate should be highly motivated with a strong interest in applied research. Applicants should hold, as a minimum, a good honours degree (BEng or BSc) with a classification of at least 2:1, or a master's degree (MEng or MSc) in one of the following subject areas:

• Architectural Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Building Services Engineering
• Public Health Engineering
• Healthcare Engineering
• Water Engineering
• Fluid Mechanics
• Environmental Science
• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Or a closely related discipline

Experience in water systems, microbiology, environmental monitoring, laboratory experimentation, data analysis, or healthcare engineering would be advantageous but is not essential. Strong analytical skills, enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research, and excellent written and verbal communication skills are expected.

Funding:

This fully funded PhD studentship is supported through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) Strategic Studentship programme. These highly competitive awards are designed to develop the next generation of engineering and physical sciences researchers, providing outstanding training, networking opportunities, and access to leading academic and industry partners. As a recipient of this prestigious award, the successful candidate will join a nationally recognised cohort of doctoral researchers tackling strategically important challenges facing society and industry.

This scholarship which will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and provide a stipend (paid in line with UKRI recommended rates; £21,805 in 2026-27) for 42 months. Thereafter, candidates will be expected to pay a continuing affiliation fee (currently £130) whilst they complete writing up their thesis.

How to Apply

1. To apply you must complete our online application form.
2. Please select PhD Construction as the programme and include the full project title, reference number (EGIS2026DLA-DK3) and supervisor name on your application form. Ensure that all fields marked as ‘required’ are complete.
3. Once have entered your personal details, click submit. You will be asked to upload your supporting documents. You must complete the section marked project proposal; provide a supporting statement (1-2 A4 pages) documenting your reasons for applying to this particular project, outlining your suitability and how you would approach the project. You must also upload your CV, a copy of your degree certificate and relevant transcripts and an academic reference in the relevant section of the application form.
4. If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 6.0.If you do not have IELTS 6.5, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies. For more information about your application and our English Language requirements, please see Section 10 of our page on English Language Requirements as part of your application.

Enquiries:

Please contact Dr David Kelly (D.A.Kelly@hw.ac.uk)for further information or an informal discussion.

Please contact egis-pgr-apps@hw.ac.uk for technical support with your application.

Timeline:

Applications will remain open until the position is filled and will be reviewed every two weeks, beginning on 30 October 2026. Interviews will be arranged shortly after each review date. Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible. A successful candidate must be identified by 31 January 2027. The start date is flexible and will be agreed with the successful candidate, with enrolment expected by October 2027.