Interdisciplinary Sustainability PhD

Scholarship Opportunity

This is an opportunity to undertake a fully funded masters’ degree and an interdisciplinary PhD under the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’ at the University of Essex. (All tuition fees are covered and an annual stipend provided throughout the Masters and PhD phases.)

The purpose of this programme is to train the next generation of interdisciplinary scholars with the skills and expertise to contribute to ‘sustainable transitions’ at local, national and international levels.

Applicants with an undergraduate degree in the life sciences or a related subject are invited to put forward a proposal for a PhD research project in the field of environment and sustainability as it relates to the life sciences. The successful applicant will then undertake the following masters’ degrees commencing in January 2027 and further develop their research proposal before proceeding to the PhD phase:

MSc Biotechnology

You are invited to submit a 1000 word (max) project area proposal that describes the area that you wish to research. This call for proposals 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 during the masters’ year and further during the PhD phase.

In your proposal you should identify ONE of the following four disciplines that you would like to integrate into your research to ensure that it your research is interdisciplinary in nature:
Law, Government/Political Science, Business, or Sociology. It is not necessary to have any prior knowledge of this additional discipline as you will be given training when you commence your PhD.

You will receive a range of training and opportunities in the Masters’ phase of the programme. When you commence the PhD phase you will receive support through the Sustainable Transitions training programme, which offers interdisciplinary research methods, secondary discipline training, and ongoing development. Doctoral scholars also have access to £2,500 through Proficio for training courses and £10,000 for research and additional training.

You may audit relevant courses and will be supported by both the Sustainable Transitions management team and your supervisory team. Additionally, all scholars can join the University of Essex’s ‘Centre for Environment and Society,’ which provides events and networking opportunities.

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

• Not already have a Masters’ 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.

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)

Home tuition fee waiver.

Living costs stipend at the UK Research and Innovation recommended level per year. The stipend for 2026-27 is £21,805.

A research allowance of £10,000 (in total) to be spent on authorised research costs, for example supplies and equipment, fieldwork etc.

Closing Date:11:59 pm BST on Monday 14th September 2026