PhD position in political economy of climate change adaptation policies

PhD position in political economy of climate change adaptation policies 100%, Zurich, fixed-term

ETH Zurich’s Energy and Technology Policy Group (EPG) is seeking a PhD candidate to analyze the design of climate change adaptation policies. This PhD position is part of the National Center of Competence in Research:
Climate Extremes and Society – Strengthening Resilience (NCCR CLIM+), which involves multiple investigators from other labs at ETH Zurich as well as other Swiss universities and institutions.

• The PhD project will analyze the designs of policies targeting adaptation and resilience to climate change in Switzerland and beyond
• It will also analyze how these policies come about (policy process), including the role of extreme events
• To this end, the doctoral candidate will leverage public policy theories and combine several qualitative and quantitative empirical methods
• The candidate will be primarily supervised by Prof. Schmidt and collaborate with PIs and fellow PhD students within the NCCR CLIM+
• The doctorate will be conducted within the Einstein School’s doctoral program and is expected to be completed within 3-4 years
• The position is for up to four years. The salary is in accordance with the Swiss National Science Foundation PhD regulation, which funds the NCCR

• Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in political science, public policy, or a related social science. Interdisciplinary candidates are welcome.
• You are highly proficient in English as well as in French and/or German. A good understanding of the Swiss political system is a valuable asset.
• You should be dedicated to scientifically rigorous work that at the same time is relevant to decision makers in the public and private sectors. Your working style is team-oriented, and you have strong communication skills.

• We offer an entrepreneurial research atmosphere within an interdisciplinary and highly relevant project at continental Europe’s leading research university
• Candidates will have the opportunity to contribute to the CLIM+ consortium’s research discussions and are encouraged to co‑advise master’s students
• EPG is one of the world’s leading research groups in the field of energy policy. We collaborate with other national and international academic and policy institutions (e.g., Stanford, MIT, Princeton, the UN)
• Our offices are centrally located in Zurich
• The exact starting date is negotiable, yet, a start in fall 2026 would be preferred

We look forward to receiving your online application until 21 June 2026 with the following documents:

• A letter of motivation (please indicate what starting date would be possible for you)
• Your CV with contact information of two references (no reference letters are needed at this point)
• Your university diplomas or transcripts, and a reading sample (e.g., a chapter from your Master thesis)

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Tobias Schmidt, tobiasschmidt.

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

The NCCR CLIM+ strives to implement equal opportunity  NCCR CLIM+ we believe that diversity of thought, background and experience creates better research.