Fully Funded PhD: Environmental Law & Life Sciences on Waste

Project Overview

This is an opportunity for a person from an underrepresented group to undertake a fully funded masters degree followed by a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD research degree under the 'Sustainable Transitions - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme' at the University of Essex.

Eligibility Criteria

• Not already have a master's degree.
• Be from a low-income household background as evidenced by, for example, being in receipt of a full maintenance loan or Special Support loan during their undergraduate studies.
• Be one of the following categories of ethnicity: Black African Black Caribbean Black Other Mixed - White and Black Caribbean Mixed - White and Black African Other mixed background (including Black African, Black Caribbean and Black Other)
• The successful applicant would study an appropriate masters degree, such as: LLM Law.

Interdisciplinary Focus and Methods

This interdisciplinary project will be jointly supervised by faculty members of the Law and Life Sciences departments. It will primarily be focused on the law but will derive some of its content and approach from the Life Sciences. The research project would focus on an aspect of waste management. The project should try to focus on one or few specific themes against the broader backdrop of waste. These may include sustainable waste management in sensitive ecosystems, the role of state and non-state actors in managing waste and promoting sustainability, the relationship with waste management and the violation of human rights to health or water, mapping technological innovations in waste management.

Training and Support

• All doctoral scholars benefit from the support of Proficio which entitles you to £2,500 that can be used to purchase training courses either within or external to the University.
• Additionally Sustainable Transitions scholars are entitled to £10,000 that can be used to cover research costs and further training.
• Scholars are encouraged to audit masters and degree level course where appropriate.
• You will also have the support of the Sustainable Transitions management team, as well as your own supervisory team.
• All Sustainable Transitions scholars will become part of the University of Essex 'Centre for Environment and Society'.

Personal Specification

This opportunity would suit a candidate with a degree/ background law, with an interest in in life sciences and environmental sciences. An interest in South Asia or another region of the Global South is desirable. It is not necessary for the candidate to have prior training in the hard sciences.

Research Proposal

The project area is broadly defined, leaving scope for the applicant to develop their own specific research proposal as part of the application. The successful candidate will further develop their proposal in close consultation with the supervisory team.

Benefits

• Home tuition fee waiver.
• Living costs stipend at the UK Research and Innovation recommended level per year.
• The stipend for 2025-26 is £20,780.
• The stipend for 2026-27 is TBA.
• A research allowance of £10,000 (in total) to be spent on authorised research costs, for example supplies and equipment, fieldwork etc.