Are you a researcher passionate about the environment and global politics? The ERC-Funded CATCH Project 2026 offers fully funded spots for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and a research assistant. This chance lets you join a major study on how the Catholic Church shapes environmental issues worldwide.
About the CATCH Project
The CATCH Project, or “The Catholic Church and the Environment,” receives funding from the European Research Council (ERC). It looks at the Church’s history with the environment from the 1960s to today. This time saw big changes, like Vatican II reforms and Pope Francis’s push for green action.
The project covers the Church’s growing focus on eco-issues. It studies the Church’s part in global talks, like UN meetings on the environment. Researchers will explore cases in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. You do not need to be Catholic to join. The work happens at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
The Radical Environmental Humanities Hub (REH2)
Part of the project builds the Radical Environmental Humanities Hub (REH2). This hub links environmental humanities and political ecology fields. It pushes for work from the global South and non-English speaking areas.
REH2 goals include team research across subjects. It supports teaching, studies, and talks with the public. The hub tackles big eco-social problems. It plans to lead research in southern Europe and the Mediterranean.
Positions Open for Application
The ERC-Funded CATCH Project 2026 has several roles. There are 2 postdoctoral spots, 5 PhD positions, and 1 research assistant job. All come fully funded with good pay.
Postdoctoral Researchers (2 Positions)
You need a PhD in fields like international relations, political science, global governance, Italian history, environmental history, or social movements. English and Italian skills are key. The job lasts 3 years, with possible extensions up to 5 years.
Postdoc PDR1 focuses on the Church’s global role, like UN conferences and Vatican work. PDR2 covers Italy’s green policies and the Christian Democratic Party.
PhD Candidates (5 Positions)
A master’s degree is required. Fields include modern history, sociology, anthropology, oral history, or regional experts in Latin America, the US, Africa, Italy, or the Philippines. English is must-have. Extra languages help, such as Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Tagalog, Zulu, Xhosa, or Afrikaans.
PhD jobs last 4 years. PhD1 studies Brazil’s liberation theology and land fights. PhD2 looks at US environmental justice and Catholic protests. PhD3 checks Italy’s local Catholic groups on green issues. PhD4 covers South Africa’s anti-apartheid eco-battles. PhD5 explores Philippines anti-mining efforts by the Church.
Research Assistant (1 Position)
Hold a master’s degree. Skills in digital humanities, WordPress, social media, and archive work stand out. English plus Spanish or Galician needed. The role starts at 2 years, up to 5.
Case Study Topics
Each spot ties to a case study. Examples include the Church at UN eco-talks, Italy’s policy history, Brazil’s land pastoral work, US anti-nuclear Catholic action, South Africa’s extractivism fights, and Philippines bishop-led campaigns. These show the Church’s wide eco-impact.
What to Expect If Selected
Move to Santiago de Compostela for full-time work. Do your own research and team projects. Write papers for journals and public reads. Join REH2 events. No remote work, but travel for field studies is funded.
Benefits cover fair salaries, office space, research tools, travel money, computers, and publication costs.
Start Dates and Timeline
Postdocs and the research assistant can start soon. PhDs begin in September 2026.
How to Apply
Apply in two steps. First, send an Expression of Interest.
Include:
- Cover letter
- Research plan (PhD or postdoc) or website plan (assistant)
- CV
- Writing samples (PhD/postdoc) or portfolio (assistant)
- 3 referee contacts
Make one PDF. Email to [email protected]. Use subject: “Expression of interest CATCH [Position Code]”.
| Position Type | Code | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Researcher | PDR1 | Church’s international role (UN, governance, Vatican) |
| Postdoctoral Researcher | PDR2 | Italy environmental policies, Christian Democrats |
| PhD Candidate | PhD1 | Brazil: theology, land, pastoral |
| PhD Candidate | PhD2 | US: justice, anti-nuclear, activism |
| PhD Candidate | PhD3 | Italy: grassroots Catholic eco-work |
| PhD Candidate | PhD4 | South Africa: apartheid, extractivism |
| PhD Candidate | PhD5 | Philippines: anti-extractivism, bishops |
| Research Assistant | RA | Digital tools, web, media, archives |
Shortlisted go to USC’s full process with checks.
Deadline: April 25, 2026. This ERC-Funded CATCH Project 2026 builds careers in green research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CATCH Project about?
The CATCH Project studies the Catholic Church’s role in environmental issues from the 1960s to today, including its involvement in global talks like UN conferences.
What positions are available?
There are 2 postdoctoral researcher spots, 5 PhD positions, and 1 research assistant role, all fully funded with competitive salaries.
Where is the project located?
The work takes place full-time at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, with funded travel for field studies.
How do I apply and what is the deadline?
Send an Expression of Interest as one PDF to [email protected] with subject ‘Expression of interest CATCH [Position Code]’ by April 25, 2026.
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