ERC-Funded CATCH Project 2026: Fully Funded PhD, Postdoctoral & Research Assistant Positions in Environmental Humanities and Political Ecology

The CATCH Project – “The Catholic Church and the Environment”, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), is now inviting applications from outstanding researchers worldwide for multiple fully funded academic positions, including 5 PhD positions, 2 Postdoctoral Researcher roles, and 1 Research Assistant position.

This prestigious opportunity offers scholars the chance to contribute to a groundbreaking interdisciplinary research initiative examining the historical and contemporary relationship between religion—specifically the Catholic Church—and environmental politics, governance, and activism across different global regions.

Hosted at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) in Spain, the project also contributes to the establishment of the Radical Environmental Humanities Hub (REH2), a leading center for research, collaboration, and innovation in environmental humanities and political ecology.

About the CATCH Project

The CATCH project aims to produce the first comprehensive environmental history of the Catholic Church from the 1960s to the present day. This period marks a significant transformation in the Church’s engagement with social and ecological issues—from the reforms of Vatican II to the global environmental advocacy seen during the papacy of Pope Francis.

Key Research Focus

• The evolution of environmental awareness within the Catholic Church
• The Church’s role in international environmental governance and UN debates
• Regional case studies across:
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • The Americas

The project is explicitly non-confessional, meaning participation does not require religious affiliation or belief.

The Radical Environmental Humanities Hub (REH2)

A major component of the project is the creation of the Radical Environmental Humanities Hub (REH2), which seeks to bridge the gap between Environmental Humanities and Political Ecology.

Objectives of REH2

• Foster interdisciplinary research
• Promote global South and non-Anglophone perspectives
• Support education, research, and public engagement
• Address pressing socio-ecological challenges

The hub aims to become a leading research center in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.

Positions Available

The project is recruiting for the following roles:

1. Postdoctoral Researchers (2 Positions)

Requirements:

• PhD in relevant fields

Preferred Backgrounds:

• International Relations
• Political Science
• Global Governance
• Contemporary Italian History
• Environmental History
• Social Movements

Languages:

• English and Italian

Duration:

• 3 years (extendable by 1–2 years)

2. PhD Candidates (5 Positions)

Requirements:

• Master’s degree

Areas of Study:

• Modern/Contemporary History
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Oral History
• Regional specialization (Latin America, US, Africa, Italy, Philippines)

Language Requirements (vary by role):

• English (mandatory)
• Additional languages such as:
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish
  • Italian
  • Tagalog
  • Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans

Duration:

• 4 years

3. Research Assistant (1 Position)

Requirements:

• Master’s degree

Preferred Skills:

• Digital humanities
• IT and web management (WordPress)
• Social media communication
• Archival and digital research organization

Languages:

• English + Spanish or Galician

Duration:

• 2 years (extendable to 5 years)

Case Study Research Areas

Each researcher will contribute to a specific case study within the project.

Examples of Case Studies

• Role of the Catholic Church in international environmental governance (UN conferences)
• Environmental policies in Italy and Christian Democratic movements
• Brazil: Liberation theology and land movements
• United States: Environmental justice movements and Catholic activism
• South Africa: Anti-apartheid and environmental struggles
• Philippines: Anti-extractivism and Church-led activism

Programme Expectations

Selected candidates will:

• Relocate to Santiago de Compostela, Spain
• Conduct independent and collaborative research
• Contribute to publications (academic and non-academic)
• Participate in REH2 hub activities and events

Remote work is not permitted, except for fieldwork periods.

Resources and Benefits

Participants will receive:

• Competitive salaries aligned with academic standards
• Dedicated office workspace
• Access to collaborative research facilities
• Funding for:
  • Travel
  • IT equipment
  • Publications

Timeline and Start Dates

• Postdoctoral & Research Assistant Roles: Start as soon as possible
• PhD Positions: Expected to begin in September 2026

Why You Should Apply

This opportunity is ideal for researchers seeking to:

• Work on a high-impact ERC-funded project
• Engage in interdisciplinary research
• Contribute to global environmental discourse
• Build an international academic career
• Join a collaborative and innovative research hub

Application Process

The application process consists of two stages.

Step 1: Expression of Interest

Applicants must submit:

• Cover letter
• Research plan (for PhD/Postdoc)
• Website/content plan (for Research Assistant)
• CV
• Writing samples (PhD/Postdoc)
• Portfolio (Research Assistant)
• Contact details of 3 referees

Step 2: Formal Application

Shortlisted candidates will proceed to the official USC application process, including document verification.

Submission Instructions

• Submit application as a single PDF
• Email to: marco.armiero@usc.es
• Subject: “Expression of interest CATCH [Position Code]”

Position Type	Code	Description / Focus Area
Postdoctoral Researcher	PDR1	International level role of the Catholic Church (UN conferences, global governance, Vatican analysis)
Postdoctoral Researcher	PDR2	Italy’s environmental policies and the Christian Democratic Party
PhD Candidate	PhD1	Brazil: Liberation theology, land movements, pastoral work (Sem terra, favelas)
PhD Candidate	PhD2	United States: Environmental justice, anti-nuclear protests, Catholic activism
PhD Candidate	PhD3	Italy: Grassroots Catholic organizations and environmental engagement
PhD Candidate	PhD4	South Africa: Anti-apartheid and environmental struggles, anti-extractivism
PhD Candidate	PhD5	Philippines: Anti-extractivism, Catholic Bishops’ Conference initiatives
Research Assistant	RA	Digital humanities, website/content management, social media, research archiving

Application Deadline:

April 25, 2026

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