Vivek Soundararajan

The University of Bath School of Management is offering a funded PhD programme focused on the intersection of climate change and labor. This opportunity is ideal for ambitious candidates interested in understanding how climate change impacts workers, industries, and communities worldwide. The project addresses both direct physical impacts—such as rising temperatures, extreme weather, and occupational health—and broader economic and social transformations affecting employment and labor rights. Applicants are invited to propose research examining topics like the impact of extreme weather on working conditions, labor rights in a changing climate, career development and skills transition, worker voice and collective action, just transition policies, and the experiences of workers in sectors undergoing significant climate-related transformation. The programme welcomes candidates with experience in qualitative research methods (interviews, ethnography, case studies) and those keen to develop expertise in mixed-methods approaches to labor and employment studies. Eligibility requires at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) in management, sociology, or related social science disciplines, alongside a strong research proposal and a commitment to producing impactful, publishable research. The supervisory team includes Professor Vivek Soundararajan, Poornika Ananth, and Stefanie Gustafsson, all affiliated with the University of Bath. Funding is provided through a Graduate Research Scholarship covering 4 years of full-time study, available to both Home and International students. The application deadline is January 30, 2026, with the programme starting in September 2026. For application details, visit the university's doctoral study guide. For further enquiries, contact Professor Vivek Soundararajan at [email protected].