University of Leicester – Leverhulme Centre for Humanity and Space (LCHS)
The Leverhulme Centre for Humanity and Space (LCHS) at the University of Leicester has been awarded up to GBP 10 million over 10 years to transform the academic study of space through the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Based at Space Park Leicester, the Centre places researchers alongside space scientists, start-up companies, and governmental bodies. This fully funded PhD studentship is hosted in the School of Business and supervised by Dr Raúl González Muñoz and Dr Boyka Simeonova. The project examines one of the most pressing questions in contemporary space policy: how can Europe build a globally competitive and innovative space ecosystem while maintaining technological sovereignty and strategic autonomy in an era of great power competition? Potential research themes span space innovation, AI, and dual-use technologies; strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty; public procurement, venture capital, and investment ecosystems; European industrial competitiveness and space champions; space policy, governance, and geopolitical competition; and the evolving relationship between commercial actors, governments, and defence institutions — all areas of direct relevance to the Orbital Diplomat community. The project is methodologically flexible, welcoming qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods approaches from applicants with backgrounds in business, economics, innovation studies, political science, international relations, public policy, engineering, geography, or related disciplines. UK and international applicants are eligible.
UK Bachelor's degree 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant subject Master's degree in a relevant discipline Meets the University of Leicester English language requirements Completed Research Proposal Form (School of Business format) naming the proposed supervisor (Dr Raúl González Muñoz) and project title CV, personal statement, degree certificates and transcripts required Two academic references required (supervisors cannot act as referees) In the funding section specify: SoB - Dr Raúl González Muñoz (Leverhulme) Informal enquiries welcome at rgm12@leicester.ac.uk before applying