PhD and Postdoctoral Positions in Global Methane Politics (Climate Politics, Political Ecology) at University of Leeds University of Leeds in United Kingdom

The University of Leeds is offering three postdoctoral and two fully funded PhD positions as part of the ERC-funded Global Methane Politics (METH-POL) project in the School of Politics and International Studies. This interdisciplinary project investigates the political dynamics and challenges of methane emissions and reduction efforts across five major sectors: livestock, oil and gas, solid waste, coal, and wastewater. The research adopts a political ecology approach and employs qualitative methods such as documentary analysis, interviews, and observations, with fieldwork spanning more than a dozen countries worldwide.

The three postdoctoral positions (each for three years, starting September 2026) will focus on the methane politics of livestock, oil and gas, and solid waste. The two PhD positions (starting October 2026) will focus on the politics of coal methane and wastewater methane, respectively. Both PhD scholarships are fully funded for 3.5 years, covering either UK or international tuition fees and a maintenance stipend at UKRI rates (£20,780 in 2025/26). Extensive international fieldwork and conference participation are fully funded by the project. The PhD on coal methane is planned to include research in Germany and Indonesia, while the wastewater methane PhD will involve research in Uganda and Indonesia, though alternative case studies may be proposed by applicants.

Successful PhD candidates will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team and play a key role in shaping the METH-POL project. They will receive training in technical aspects of methane emissions and mitigation, collaborate with other team members, and have opportunities to lead project elements, co-author publications, and engage with policymakers and practitioners. Candidates are expected to have a strong interest in climate and environmental politics and a background in Politics, International Relations, Geography, Environmental Studies, or a related social science. Selection is based on academic merit, relevant experience, research proposal quality, fit with project aims, language and cultural competence, and teamwork skills. Applicants must not already hold or be registered for a PhD and must reside within a reasonable distance of Leeds during the scholarship. International relocation expenses are not covered.

Both PhD projects will be lead-supervised by Professor Jan Selby, with Professor Barbara Evans serving as secondary supervisor for the wastewater methane project. The project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to global climate change research and policy, with the potential for significant impact. For more information and to apply, visit the University of Leeds project and jobs pages linked above.