South African cities are facing mounting environmental challenges — from extreme heatwaves and stagnant air to increasingly intense rainfall. These shifts are straining urban systems, worsening air quality, and threatening human well-being. Addressing these complex issues requires innovative, cross-disciplinary research that bridges environmental science, urban planning, and technology. The North-West University (NWU) is offering exciting PhD and MSc research opportunities focused on designing weather-resilient, clean-air urban spaces. The selected candidates will explore how urban form, land use, and transport planning can enhance climate resilience and improve air quality in cities across South Africa. These projects will use NWU’s three campus cities as living laboratories, providing a unique opportunity to conduct applied research with tangible, real-world impact. PhD Opportunity: Weather-Resilient, Clean-Air Urban Spaces Start Date: 2026Location: North-West University (Three Campus Cities)Supervisors: Department of Environmental Science and Urban SystemsFunding: Strong candidates will be supported to apply for competitive scholarships Overview South African cities are rapidly urbanizing while simultaneously facing the escalating effects of climate change. This PhD project aims to develop innovative strategies for creating urban environments that are both climate-resilient and conducive to cleaner air. By integrating environmental science, meteorology, and urban planning, the PhD candidate will investigate how urban form, transport systems, and land-use policies influence air quality and climate adaptability. Each of NWU’s campus cities will serve as a living laboratory for field research, modeling, and stakeholder engagement. The research outcomes will contribute directly to shaping evidence-based urban policies and sustainable planning frameworks that can be applied across South Africa and beyond. Research Themes Assessing the impact of urban morphology on air quality and microclimate. Modeling the interaction between transport systems and air pollution dispersion. Evaluating green infrastructure and land-use patterns for urban cooling. Identifying planning strategies that improve community-level climate resilience. Integrating quantitative environmental data with spatial planning approaches. Ideal Candidate Academic Background: Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Meteorology, Geography, or Engineering. Skills: Strong quantitative and/or GIS skills, or a demonstrated willingness to develop these competencies. Mindset: Analytical, proactive, and interested in applying research to real-world challenges. Additional Assets: Experience in spatial data analysis, environmental modeling, or urban systems research. Funding: Competitive candidates will receive guidance and institutional support to apply for PhD scholarships. How to Apply Submit a short motivation letter, your CV, and academic record to the project supervisor. Contact:Dr. Niké WeschEmail: nike.wesch@nwu.ac.za MSc Opportunity: Weather-Resilient, Clean-Air Urban Spaces Start Date: Flexible (Funding Pending)Location: North-West University (Three Campus Cities)Supervisors: Department of Environmental Science and Urban SystemsFunding: Strong candidates will be supported to apply for scholarships Overview Cities across South Africa are facing overlapping environmental and urban challenges. This Master of Science (MSc) research opportunity provides an applied learning and research experience aimed at understanding and mitigating these challenges through urban innovation and environmental design. Building on the same framework as the PhD program, the MSc project will examine how urban form, mobility systems, and land-use planning can reduce climate-related vulnerabilities and enhance air quality. Using the university’s three campus cities as case studies, the research will generate insights to guide climate-smart urban planning and sustainable development policies. The MSc project is ideal for students eager to combine scientific inquiry with applied research and to contribute to the growing field of climate-resilient urban systems. Research Focus Areas Mapping urban heat islands and identifying opportunities for cooling interventions. Exploring the link between transport networks and air pollution. Evaluating nature-based solutions and urban green infrastructure for resilience. Developing frameworks for integrated climate and air-quality planning. Engaging with local governments and communities to co-design sustainable solutions. Ideal Candidate Academic Background: Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Meteorology, Geography, or Engineering. Skills: Quantitative analysis, GIS proficiency, or enthusiasm to learn these tools. Mindset: Motivated, collaborative, and interested in conducting research with policy relevance and community impact. Funding: While funding confirmation is pending, strong applicants will be supported in applying for external scholarship programs. How to Apply Submit a short motivation statement, CV, and academic transcript. Contact:Dr. Niké WeschEmail: nike.wesch@nwu.ac.za Why Join This Research Program Both the PhD and MSc programs are part of NWU’s broader initiative to address climate and air-quality challenges through multidisciplinary research. Students will work within an interconnected academic network that spans environmental sciences, engineering, geography, and planning — ensuring rich opportunities for collaboration and learning. Participants will: Gain hands-on research experience using real urban environments as case studies. Develop advanced quantitative, spatial, and analytical skills. Work closely with local authorities and communities to translate research into policy. Contribute to South Africa’s efforts toward achieving sustainable urban development and cleaner air for all. This program provides a platform for motivated researchers to make a measurable impact in cities that represent both the challenges and opportunities of urban transformation in the Global South. Application Summary OpportunityStart DateLevelLocationKey SkillsFunding SupportContactPhD – Weather-Resilient, Clean-Air Urban Spaces2026DoctoralNWU (3 Campuses)Quantitative Analysis, GIS, Urban PlanningYesnike.wesch@nwu.ac.zaMSc – Weather-Resilient, Clean-Air Urban SpacesFlexibleMaster’sNWU (3 Campuses)Environmental Science, GIS, ResearchYes (pending)nike.wesch@nwu.ac.za APPLY HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the offering institute. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.