We’re proud to bring together a dynamic network of world-leading experts who are committed to putting people at the heart of climate action. Over five years of research, we have established a thriving community of over 70 climate change social scientists.
We’ll list any CAST career opportunities below, including PhD studentships with our member institutions.
If there aren’t any opportunities listed right now, or suited to what you’re looking for, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on BlueSky and LinkedIn to keep up to date on the latest CAST career opportunities.
The CAST team at the 2026 Annual Assembly event at the University of Manchester.
CAST PhD studentship – University of Bath (UK students only)
Understanding consumer attitudes to lead pipe replacement
- Primary supervisor: includes Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh, CAST Director & Theme 4 Co-lead & Prof Julie Barnett
- Job type: Full-time
- Location: University of Bath
- Deadline: Thursday, October 22 2026
Topic overview:
This PhD aims to address this significant societal challenge by exploring the drivers of and barriers to lead pipe replacement by consumers. The outcome of the PhD will be the development of practical, evidence-based tools aimed at increasing uptake of replacement across customer groups.
Applying insights from risk research and behavioural science, the PhD will take a mixed methods approach (including using experimental methods). It has three objectives:
- To identify barriers and drivers to uptake of lead pipe replacement amongst diverse property owners (owner occupiers, private landlords, housing associations, commercial owners etc.).
- To test behaviour change interventions (e.g., different messages, timing) to drive adoption of lead pipe replacement.
- To explore upstream opportunities to embed lead pipe investigation into property conveyancing.
The studentship is funded by UKWIR, the leading independent research organisation for the UK and Irish water sector. The student will work closely with Wessex Water and other water companies to ensure the research has real-world impact in tackling this major environmental health risk.
Senior Research Associate in Climate Change Policy, People and Action – University of East Anglia
- Job type: Full-time, Fixed Term until 31 March 2030
- Location: University of East Anglia, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
- Deadline: Monday, 26 October 2026
Role overview:
You will conduct research on what motivates governments and people to address the grand societal challenge of mitigating and adapting adequately to climate change, and work with project partners to generate societal impact outside of academia.
You will collaborate closely with the Centre for Climate Change Research and Social Transformations (CAST), which is a major ESRC investment founded in 2019. The Universities of Bath, East Anglia and Manchester are its main partners, together with the charity Climate Outreach.