PhD position in climate ethics

Scientific Context Of The Project

We are pleased to advertise a PhD position in the NCCR Clim+ (Climate Extremes and Society: Strengthening Resilience), funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The PhD is part of work package WP3, “Governance of Climate Extremes and Justice”. It is expected to address task 3.3 called “Climate Extremes and Ethics”. The main aim of the dissertation is to address ethical problems that arise from extreme events that become more common due to climate change, e.g., droughts, urban heat or wildfires.

The dissertation may analyse how human rights are jeopardised by such extreme events, how the vulnerabilities of various groups can be determined and how disaster management ought to be carried out from an ethical perspective. The focus is on the immediate handling of extreme events on a regional scale, but precautionary measures may also be discussed. The PhD student will closely collaborate with legal scholars, political scientists and climate scientists, and may contribute to the development of storylines.

• an excellent master’s degree in philosophy, ideally ethics or philosophy of climate science, to be completed by September 1 2026;
• a strong interest in climate change and current climate science;
• willingness and ability to interact with legal scholars, political scientists and climate scientists in an interdisciplinary research environment;
• willingness and ability to contribute to the project’s research outputs (peer‑reviewed publications and conference presentations);
• readiness to contribute to collaborative research;
• excellent mastery of English (German is a plus, but not required);
• willingness and ability to contribute to the organisation of research activities related to the project.

We value diversity and encourage applications from groups that are underrepresented in philosophy.

• the opportunity to work on a fully funded PhD project in philosophy in an internationally oriented and stimulating research context;
• attractive working conditions in a highly collaborative philosophy department;
• exchange and collaboration with top researchers about climate change in the Oeschger Centre of Climate Change Research and at ETH Zurich;
• many opportunities to present and discuss one’s PhD research in colloquia and workshops;
• funding for travel to relevant conferences.

• Inspiring work environment;
• Strong research infrastructure and international network;
• Collaborative environment and ambitious team;
• Individual career support.