Immersive Digital Twin and Augmented Reality Model for Workforce Upskilling in Low Carbon Home Retrofits

The UK must retrofit nearly 29 million homes by 2050 to meet net zero targets. This is equivalent to upgrading over 370 homes every working hour for the next 25 years. Current progress falls far short. A critical barrier is the lack of a skilled, retrofit-ready workforce capable of delivering home retrofits at the necessary pace, scale and quality. Between 250,000 and 500,000 qualified workers are needed, yet the training landscape remains fragmented, costly, and largely classroom-based, offering little of the hands-on, context-rich learning that real retrofit projects demand. Without skilled specialists, retrofits risk creating health and safety issues that undermine their social, environmental, and economic benefits.
This project addresses the skills gap by developing an innovative training model that integrates digital twin (DT) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. Digital twins simulate the complex dynamics of building systems, while AR overlays digital information onto the physical environment, together creating immersive, interactive learning experiences. Despite their significant potential, these technologies have not yet been combined as an integrated training solution for low carbon home retrofit.
The project has four objectives: (1) identify high-priority retrofit measures and the workforce competencies needed to deliver them effectively; (2) design and develop an interactive DT-AR training model; (3) evaluate its effectiveness in enhancing knowledge acquisition, retention, and real-world performance; and (4) establish metrics and guidelines for measuring competency gains and building transferable skills.
The proposed model uses scan-to-BIM technology and plug-in software to create high-fidelity digital representations of real homes, integrating BREEAM sustainability assessment with AR-based interactions. This delivers a hybrid, just-in-time training platform that is fully immersive, repeatable, scalable, and hazard-free.
By aligning technical innovation with climate and policy imperatives, this project offers a transformative approach to workforce development, equipping workers with the practical skills needed to deliver low carbon retrofits at the pace, scale, and quality the UK urgently requires.
 

This project includes a bursary to cover home or international tuition fees. 

Applicants would need to provide evidence that they can support their living costs during the course. 

PhD programmes are for those who are seeking to develop greater in-depth knowledge in a specific area. Completing this level of study is about making an original contribution to knowledge, making new discoveries and developing lifelong skills. 

At Aston University, our Engineering and Physical Sciences PhD programmes will provide all the support and facilities you will need to develop into a leading researcher in your chosen field.  You will be welcomed into a supportive community with a shared enthusiasm for original research, where diversity and multidisciplinary is championed.

For formal enquiries about this project, please contact:

Dr Mershack Opoku Tetteh (School of Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering – Civil Engineering Department)
Dr Maria Chli (Aston Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Application – ACAIRA, School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies - Computer Sciences and Digital Technologies Department)
 

Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:
•    A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1. 
OR 
•    A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1, and a Masters degree in a relevant subject with an award of Merit or higher.
Qualifications from other countries which are considered by Aston University to be equivalent to that described above will be eligible to apply.

Essential criteria:
•    Good Coding Skill and willing to evolve them along the journey. 
•    Basics on IP networking
 

We can only consider applications that are complete and have all supporting documents. Applications that do not provide all the relevant documents will be automatically rejected. Your application must include: 

1. English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.
    
2. A Research Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count. 
    
3. A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience. 
    
4. Two academic referees who can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary. 
    
5. Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage. 
    
6. A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.

Interviews

Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted directly with details of the interview.  

Contact information

For formal enquiries about this project, contact Dr David Benton

Studying a PhD is great route into academia and industries that are centred on research and innovation. Areas with a demand for very high level and specialised research skills often demand PhDs.

In addition to this specialist knowledge, PhD education will help you to develop a set of valuable transferrable skills. The very nature of studying an intensive research degree will enable you to become a team player, develop problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and advanced presentation and communication skills.

The variety of PhD project topics at Aston means that the destinations of our graduates vary substantially. Some choose to continue into academia, at either Aston or other leading institutions, while others go onto use their newly acquired skills in a range of research, healthcare, industry or charitable fields. When selecting your chosen PhD path at Aston, your supervisor will be able to provide you with relevant career opportunities that could be available to you in your specialist area.