King’s College London PhD Studentship in UK (Fully Funded)

The King’s College London PhD Studentship invites outstanding applicants for a PhD program in the UK, focusing on justice, community experiences, and governance within global energy transitions, particularly in regions affected by critical mineral extraction. The successful candidate will join the African Leadership Centre (ALC) at King's College London, a world-leading research institution. The program offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and develop a PhD project aligned with the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project, "Justice in Critical Minerals Governance and Energy Transitions."

This studentship is fully funded for eligible UK (Home) applicants. For international applicants, full funding is not guaranteed. However, the program generally covers tuition fees (up to £8,000 per year), provides a stipend of £23,805 per year, and includes an additional research and training grant of £1,350 per year. Travel expenses related to the research project may also be covered. The studentship is a full-time position for a duration of 3.5 years.

Applicants must be applying for a PhD or Postgraduate Research (PGR) program. Postgraduate Taught (PGT) candidates are not eligible. Candidates should have completed or be near completion of a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as International Development, Political Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, Law, Energy Policy/Systems, Natural Resource Governance, or related disciplines. A strong academic record with research potential and an interest in qualitative, interpretive, or ethnographic research methods are essential. Applicants must meet King’s College London’s English language requirements and be available to start in October 2026, committing to full-time study for 3.5 years. While the fully funded studentship is primarily for UK (Home) applicants, international applicants are welcome to apply, though full funding is not guaranteed for them. Visa sponsorship may be available for eligible international students. Preference may be given to candidates with experience or a strong understanding of extractive industries, energy transitions, or affected communities.

Applicants are required to submit the following documents: * Curriculum Vitae (CV) * Cover letter * Research proposal * Academic transcripts * Two references

Applications must be submitted through the King’s Apply Portal. First, create a new account on the portal. Use these details to log in and then fill out the application form completely. Upload all the required documents and provide any other requested information. Review your application thoroughly before submitting it.

This is a highly competitive program, with only one successful candidate expected to be selected. The PhD project offers flexibility for the candidate to shape their own research focus within themes of justice, extractive industries, socio-environmental transitions, community participation, or bottom-up knowledge production. Comparative studies focusing on Ghana, Chile, or Australia would be looked upon favorably, though the PhD project is expected to have a global justice and energy transition appeal. The program is scheduled to start in October 2026.