Fully Funded PhD + Masters in Waste Law & Sustainability in Essex

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.
• 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. The research project would focus on an aspect of waste management, trying 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

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.

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 courses 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’.

This opportunity would suit a candidate with a degree/background in law, with an interest 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.

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.

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.