PhD Studentship: Waste Management - Towards Sustainability

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.   

Only UK domiciled applicants who meet the following criteria may apply: 

• Not already have a master’s degree.

And

• 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.  

And/or  

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: 

1. Law, Environment and Sustainability 
2. International Law 

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. In-keeping with the Sustainable Transitions programme, the project must link waste management with sustainable development, sustainability challenges and/or the role/responsibility of state and private actors. 

Interdisciplinary Focus and Methods

This interdisciplinary project will be jointly supervised by faculty members of the Law and Life Sciences departments. The project can integrate environmental science public health and sociology into the legal analysis. Methods may include doctrinal and socio-legal analysis, comparative legal analysis, policy evaluation, law and policy mapping, stakeholder interviews, and integrating systematic review, meta-analyses and bioinformatics approaches commonly applied within the Life Sciences. 

Training and Support

You will be supported through the Sustainable Transitions training programme which provides initial training in interdisciplinary research methods, training in the secondary discipline within the project area and ongoing training throughout the duration of the programme. 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’.

Person 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.  

Additional Funding Information

Home tuition fee waiver.  

Closing Date: 11:59pm GMT on Monday 13^th April 2026

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