Are you a researcher passionate about the intersection of religion, environment, and politics? The ERC-Funded CATCH Project 2026 offers fully funded PhD, postdoctoral, and research assistant positions in environmental humanities and political ecology. Hosted at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, this project explores the Catholic Church’s role in environmental issues from the 1960s to today. It provides a unique chance to join an interdisciplinary team shaping global discussions on ecology and governance.
About the CATCH Project
The CATCH Project, funded by the European Research Council, creates the first full environmental history of the Catholic Church during a time of major change. This spans Vatican II reforms to Pope Francis’s focus on ecology. The study looks at how the Church developed environmental awareness and influenced global governance, including UN debates.
Researchers will examine regional cases in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The project stays non-confessional, so no religious belief is needed to join. It also launches the Radical Environmental Humanities Hub (REH2), a center linking environmental humanities and political ecology.
Goals of the Radical Environmental Humanities Hub
REH2 promotes work across fields and highlights views from the global South and non-English regions. It supports education, research, and public events to tackle social and ecological problems. Based in southern Europe, the hub aims to lead in the Mediterranean area for innovative environmental studies.
Available Positions
The project seeks talented people worldwide for these roles:
Postdoctoral Researchers (2 Positions)
These spots go to those with a PhD in fields like international relations, political science, global governance, Italian history, environmental history, or social movements. Strong English and Italian skills are key. Each role lasts 3 years, with possible extensions of 1-2 years.
Postdoc PDR1 focuses on the Church’s international role in UN conferences and Vatican analysis. PDR2 covers Italy’s environmental policies and the Christian Democratic Party.
PhD Candidates (5 Positions)
Applicants need a master’s degree in modern history, sociology, anthropology, oral history, or regional expertise in places like Latin America, the US, Africa, Italy, or the Philippines. English is required, plus languages such as Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Tagalog, Zulu, Xhosa, or Afrikaans depending on the role. Positions last 4 years, starting in September 2026.
PhD1 studies Brazil’s liberation theology, land movements, and pastoral work in favelas. PhD2 explores US environmental justice and Catholic anti-nuclear protests. PhD3 looks at grassroots Catholic groups in Italy. PhD4 examines South Africa’s anti-apartheid and anti-extractivism fights. PhD5 covers Philippines anti-extractivism and bishops’ initiatives.
Research Assistant (1 Position)
This role requires a master’s and skills in digital humanities, WordPress, social media, and research organization. English plus Spanish or Galician is needed. It starts soon and lasts 2 years, extendable to 5.
What Researchers Will Do
All selected candidates must move to Santiago de Compostela for full-time work, except during fieldwork. Duties include independent research, team collaboration, publications, and REH2 events. No remote work is allowed otherwise.
Benefits cover competitive pay, office space, travel funds, IT tools, and publication support.
Case Study Examples
Team members tackle specific topics like the Church in UN environmental talks, Italy’s Christian Democrats and green policies, Brazil’s land struggles, US Catholic activism, South Africa’s dual fights against apartheid and mining, and Philippines church-led resistance to extraction.
Application Steps
Apply in two stages. First, send a single PDF with your cover letter, research or content plan, CV, writing samples or portfolio, and three referees’ contacts. Email to [email protected] with subject “Expression of interest CATCH [Position Code]”.
Shortlisted applicants move to the formal University of Santiago de Compostela process.
Use these codes: PDR1 or PDR2 for postdocs, PhD1-5 for PhDs, RA for assistant.
Deadline is April 25, 2026. Postdocs and the assistant start as soon as possible.
This ERC project builds careers in high-impact environmental research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CATCH Project?
The CATCH Project is an ERC-funded study on the Catholic Church’s environmental history from the 1960s to today, hosted at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
What positions are available?
There are 2 postdoctoral positions, 5 PhD positions, and 1 research assistant position, all fully funded and focused on environmental humanities and political ecology.
What are the requirements for applicants?
Postdocs need a PhD in related fields and strong English/Italian skills; PhDs require a master’s and relevant languages; the assistant needs digital skills and English/Spanish or Galician.
How do I apply and what is the deadline?
Send a PDF with your cover letter, CV, and more to [email protected] using the position code; deadline is April 25, 2026.