Fully Funded PhD Fellowship in Circular Economy & Sustainability – Ghent University (Belgium, 2025)
Ghent University, a globally recognized leader in sustainability research, is inviting applications for a Doctoral Fellowship in the Department of Environment. This fully funded PhD fellowship, starting in December 2025, offers an exceptional opportunity for early-career researchers passionate about circular economy transitions, sustainability governance, and systemic environmental innovation.
The project is embedded within the university’s strategic focus on socio-technical transitions and aligns with EU Green Deal priorities, making it highly relevant for candidates aiming to drive real-world impact through interdisciplinary research.
Project Overview
The PhD fellowship will investigate how circular economy policies can be effectively integrated into existing sustainability frameworks across multiple governance levels—local, regional, and national. Special emphasis will be placed on:
- Policy coherence between circular economy and climate/energy/waste strategies
- Stakeholder engagement in transition processes (businesses, municipalities, NGOs)
- Barriers and enablers to systemic change in production-consumption systems
- Metrics and monitoring tools for circularity beyond recycling rates
This is not a purely technical project—it sits at the intersection of environmental policy, governance, and social science, requiring a systems-thinking mindset and strong analytical skills.
Key Details
- Position: Doctoral Fellow (PhD Researcher)
- Host Institution: Department of Environment, Ghent University, Belgium
- Duration: 4 years (standard PhD contract)
- Start Date: December 1, 2025
- Funding: Full salary according to Ghent University’s competitive PhD scale (approx. €2,400–€2,800 net/month) + benefits (health insurance, pension, travel allowance)
- Application Deadline: November 11, 2025
- Reference Number: 240118
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Master’s Degree in one of the following fields:
- Environmental Science
- Sustainability Studies
- Environmental Policy or Governance
- Industrial Ecology
- Circular Economy
- Social Sciences with environmental focus
(Degrees must be completed by August 2025)
- Strong Research Interest in:
- Circular economy transitions
- Multi-level governance
- Policy integration or coherence
- Qualitative or mixed-methods research
- Excellent Communication Skills in English (written and spoken)
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams
- No more than 2 years of post-Master’s professional/research experience (as per Ghent University’s doctoral regulations)
Note: Candidates with prior experience in EU-funded projects (e.g., Horizon Europe) or policy analysis are strongly encouraged to apply.
What You’ll Do
As a Doctoral Fellow, you will:
- Conduct original research under the supervision of senior academics
- Publish in high-impact journals (e.g., Journal of Cleaner Production, Ecological Economics)
- Present findings at international conferences
- Contribute to departmental teaching (up to 30 hours/year)
- Collaborate with Belgian and European stakeholders (e.g., regional governments, NGOs, industry partners)
Why Ghent University?
- Ranked among the top 100 universities globally for sustainability (THE Impact Rankings)
- Home to the Centre for Environmental Science (CM2) and Circular Economy Research Group
- Located in Ghent, a historic yet progressive city with a vibrant student community
- Strong ties to EU policy institutions and sustainability networks
- English is the working language—no Dutch required
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via Ghent University’s official before November ,11 2025. Required documents include:
- Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
- CV (including publications, if any)
- Copy of Master’s diploma and transcript
- Contact details of two academic referees
- Short research proposal (max. 1,500 words) outlining your approach to the project’s core questions
- Send your application (see below) to [email protected] with the heading ‘Application FWO_Soil MP_Last name_First name’ before 11 November 2025.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Final Thoughts
This PhD fellowship is more than a research position—it’s a launchpad for a career in sustainability leadership. If you’re driven to understand how societies can transition to truly circular systems, and you thrive in collaborative, policy-relevant research environments, Ghent University is the ideal place to grow.
Don’t miss this chance to contribute to Europe’s green future while earning a world-class PhD in one of Belgium’s most dynamic academic hubs.
Apply by November 11, 2025 your journey toward impactful environmental research starts here and contact us for help.
