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04 September 2013: Professorial Fellowship Studentship

Applications are invited from talented postgraduate students for a fully-funded Professorial Fellowship Studentship commencing January 2014 and lasting for three years. The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Mark Harvey as part of his ESRC Professorial Fellowship award.

The focus of this research is three interconnected problems in ‘the food-energy-climate change trilemma’.

• Climate change

• The depletion of finite energy and material resources

• A growing population with increasing demand for food

Professor Harvey’s overall project will compare four regions: the USA, Europe, Brazil and China. It will employ strategic food+energy crops as research probes into changing economic configurations, undertaking 150 in-depth interviews with stakeholders, policy-makers and experts.

The role

The holder of the doctoral studentship will participate in this major global research programme as a full member of the team and be aligned with Essex’s ESRC Doctoral Training Centre. The doctoral project will build up case studies of the development of voluntary sustainable self-regulation, in particular the roundtables for sustainable palm oil, soy, sugar and biofuels.

How to apply

Applicants with a background in economic sociology or political economy or environmental studies are very welcome. The three-year award pays fees and an annual maintenance grant (£18,376 for 2013-14) plus a Research Training Support Grant of £750 per annum. The usual ESRC eligibility rules apply, including having an appropriate Masters degree by October 2013 and meeting the ESRC’s residential requirements.

• Application form

Completed application forms should be submitted to Michelle Hall by e-mail at socpgadm@essex.ac.uk by 4pm on Friday 4 October 2013.

Interviews will be held (by Skype or in person at the University of Essex in Colchester) in the week commencing 21 October 2013.

Contact information

• Informal enquiries: Professor Mark Harvey.
• Enquiries about funding and scholarships.
• Information about studying at the University of Essex.

Further information and advice

Contact Michele Hall, Graduate Administrator, by e-mail at socpgadm@essex.ac.uk or telephone +44(0)1206 873051.