ESRC CAM DTP Studentship - Pesticide Harm: Minds, Policies and Practice (Fixed Term)

The Cambridge ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership [CAM-DTP] is pleased to offer an interdisciplinary studentship available for admission in October 2026.

The studentship will be co-supervised by Professor Tristan Bekinschtein (Department of Psychology) and Dr Rachel Carmenta (Tyndall Associate Professor in Climate Change and Global Development, University of East Anglia).

Project description:

This interdisciplinary PhD will investigate how chronic pesticide exposure impacts brain, physiology and cognitive performance, emotional well-being, and protective behaviours in rural communities, with a focus on Chile.

The project combines cognitive neuroscience with participatory environmental research and policy analysis.

The student will analyse the multivariate data from the participants and communities and explore how they, and the institutions, understand pesticide risk and responsibility, what barriers exist to protective actions like PPE use, and how more effective, context-sensitive interventions could be developed.

Fieldwork will involve collaboration with local stakeholders, including public health agencies and agricultural cooperatives, allowing the student to co-produce knowledge with affected communities.

The project offers advanced training in neuroscience, cognition and qualitative methods, and is ideal for applicants passionate about global health, environmental justice, cognition, and research that informs real-world change.

ESRC Research Priority Areas: Health and Social Care, Understanding Behaviour, Net Zero, Environment, Biodiversity and Climate Change.

Research skills you must have if applying for this topic: Background in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, or public/global health.

Research skills it would be helpful to have if applying for this topic: Spanish fluency and field experience in Latin America are preferred.

About the studentship:

An ESRC-funded PhD studentship through CAM-DTP supports 3.5 - 4.5 years of full-time study. We particularly encourage applications from students wishing to study on a part-time basis (minimum 50% of full-time).

The studentship provides:

• Tuition fees up to the value of the national UKRI rate for Home students; international students are welcome to apply but will need additional scholarships, from alternative sources, to fund the remainder of their fees and any immigration costs;
• An annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate [£20,780 in 2025-26 for full time students], and a contribution towards research and training costs;
• A personalised training programme, to develop research, communication, employability and personal skills;
• Support to carry out a required three-month placement, known as an Innovation Fellowship, with an academic or non-academic partner during the course of the studentship.

Successful candidates will be required to submit their PhD within the duration of the studentship award.

Studentships will start in October 2026 for both full-time and part-time applicants.

What to do next

You can find out more about the Cambridge ESRC DTP at: https://www.cam-dtp.ac.uk/

You can find out more about the Department of Psychology at https://www.psychol.cam.ac.uk/ and Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at https://tyndall.ac.uk/

Please address any questions about this studentship to Professor Tristan Bekinschtein at tb419@cam.ac.uk or Dr Rachel Carmenta at r.carmenta@uea.ac.uk

Applications for this studentship should be made to the Department of Psychology. The course code is BLPC22 (PhD in Psychology).

https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/application-process/how-do-i-apply

The closing date for applications will be 2 December 2025

With your application you will be required to submit (i) a draft research proposal outlining your suitability, why you are interested in pursuing a PhD in this area, your background and research interests, familiarity with the questions raised by this research. (ii) your CV (iii) copies of your academic transcripts (iv) details of two academic referees.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3.5 to 4.5 years in the first instance.

Please quote reference PJ47718 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Key information

Department/location

Department of Psychology

Salary

Reference

PJ47718

Category

Studentships

Date published

24 October 2025

Closing date

2 December 2025