Four-Year PhD Scholarship in Migration and Environmental Challenges

We invite applications for a full-time, 4-year predoctoral contract to pursue a PhD thesis within the context of the project “Recycling and environmental remittances” (RECYREM) funded by the Spanish State Research Agency and affiliated with the Institute for Government and Public Policy (IGOP) at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). Eva Østergaard-Nielsen, professor of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration and PI of the RECYREM project, will act as supervisor of the successful candidate (co-supervision is possible).

The Project

RECYREM investigates the relationship between migration and environmental challenges, in particular the formation, transfer and impact of environmental remittances. We examine whether and how migrants adopt environmental norms and practices in their countries of residence, share these through transnational networks and influence attitudes and behaviour in communities of origin. Our analysis will centre on how political socialization, habit formation, and societal and institutional trust interact with local governance and infrastructure to enable or constrain these processes. Focusing on issues of recycling, we will examine the bidirectional exchange of local and transnational knowledge. The data collection will draw on both surveys (with experimental components) and qualitative fieldwork/interviews.

Description of osition

The successful candidate will become a member of the RECYREM team and join the PPIR (Politics, Policies and International Relations PhD programme) of the UAB. (Politics, Policies and International Relations PhD programme) of the UAB. We provide an engaging and supportive international environment with opportunities for advanced methodological training, attendance at international conferences and seminars, and access to original data generated within the project. The selected candidate will also collaborate in the activities of the project, such as the development, analysis and dissemination of unique sets of qualitative and quantitative data and findings. The expected start date is in the first half of 2027.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated person interested in developing a doctoral thesis on a topic broadly related to the project (migration, environmental issues, migrant agency, remittances) with:

• A bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in political science or a related and relevant social science discipline (adding up to 300 ECTS credits).
• Solid training in social science methodologies.
• Proficiency in English is required; proficiency in Spanish or Romanian are valued.

Application deadline: 9 November 2026.

For more information on this opportunity and instructions on how to apply, please see: https://igop.uab.cat/en/2026/10/23/open-predoctoral-call/