ERC-Funded CATCH Project 2026: Fully Funded PhD, Postdoc Positions Open
The ERC-Funded CATCH Project 2026 offers fully funded positions for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and a research assistant. This chance lets scholars from around the world join a major study on the Catholic Church’s role in environmental issues. Hosted at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the project looks at history and current events from the 1960s to today.
What Is the CATCH Project?
The CATCH Project, short for “The Catholic Church and the Environment,” gets funding from the European Research Council. It creates the first full environmental history of the Catholic Church during key changes, like Vatican II reforms and Pope Francis’s work on ecology. The study covers the Church’s growing focus on the environment, its part in global talks at the United Nations, and actions in different regions.
Researchers do not need to be Catholic or religious to join. The project mixes fields like history, politics, and ecology to understand how faith groups shape environmental efforts.
The Radical Environmental Humanities Hub (REH2)
Part of the project builds the Radical Environmental Humanities Hub, or REH2. This new center links environmental humanities with political ecology. It pushes for research from the global South and non-English speaking areas.
REH2 plans to host events, teach classes, and share ideas with the public. It will focus on real-world problems like climate change and land rights. Based in Spain, it aims to lead studies in southern Europe and the Mediterranean.
Available Positions
The ERC-Funded CATCH Project 2026 has eight spots open. Each role ties to a case study on the Church and environment.
Postdoctoral Researchers (2 Positions)
These jobs last three years, with possible extensions up to five years. Candidates need a PhD in areas like international relations, political science, environmental history, or social movements. Strong skills in English and Italian help.
- PDR1: Studies the Church’s role in UN conferences and global governance.
- PDR2: Examines Italy’s environmental policies under the Christian Democratic Party.
PhD Candidates (5 Positions)
These four-year spots require a master’s degree. Fields include history, sociology, anthropology, or oral history. English is required, plus languages like Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Tagalog, Zulu, Xhosa, or Afrikaans for some roles.
- PhD1: Brazil’s liberation theology, land movements, and church work in poor areas.
- PhD2: US environmental justice, anti-nuclear protests, and Catholic groups.
- PhD3: Italy’s local Catholic groups and their environmental work.
- PhD4: South Africa’s fights against apartheid and mining harms.
- PhD5: Philippines’ church efforts against mining and extraction.
Research Assistant (1 Position)
This two-year role, extendable to five years, needs a master’s degree. Skills in digital humanities, WordPress, social media, and organizing archives stand out. English plus Spanish or Galician is key. The code is RA.
Case Study Details
Each position focuses on a real-world example. For instance, in Brazil, researchers will explore how church leaders supported landless farmers. In the US, the work covers Catholic ties to fights for clean air and against nuclear power. South Africa looks at church roles in ending apartheid while protecting nature. These cases show the Church’s global impact on green activism.
What Selected Candidates Will Do
Everyone must move to Santiago de Compostela for full-time work, except during field trips. Tasks include personal research, team projects, writing papers, and hub events. No remote work from home.
Benefits cover good pay, office space, travel funds, computers, and help with publishing. PhD spots start in September 2026; others as soon as possible.
Application Steps and Deadline
Apply in two steps. First, send a single PDF with your cover letter, CV, research plan or portfolio, writing samples, and three referees’ contacts. Email to [email protected] with subject “Expression of interest CATCH [Position Code]”.
Shortlisted people move to the university’s formal process. Deadline is April 25, 2026.
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CATCH Project?
The CATCH Project studies the Catholic Church’s environmental history from the 1960s to today, funded by the European Research Council at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
What positions are available in the CATCH Project 2026?
There are two postdoctoral researcher positions, five PhD candidate spots, and one research assistant role, each linked to specific case studies on the Church and environment.
What are the requirements for applicants?
Postdocs need a PhD in relevant fields like history or political science; PhDs require a master’s; the research assistant needs a master’s with digital skills. English is required, plus other languages for some roles.
How do I apply for a position?
Send a single PDF with your cover letter, CV, research plan, writing samples, and three referees’ contacts to [email protected] with subject ‘Expression of interest CATCH [Position Code]’ by April 25, 2026.