Universität St. Gallen
St.Gallen
Research Associate in Strategic Management, PhD Position (m/f/d)
- 20 Juni 2026
- 100%
- St.Gallen
Über den Job
The Chair of Prof. Dr. Christoph Lechner at the Institute of Management & Strategy (IFB) at the University of St.Gallen seeks to hire a 100% Research Associate (PhD position). We are looking for candidates who want to work in the discipline of strategic management, especially on growth strategies, geopolitics & strategy, alliances & ecosystems, and AI in strategy.
The researcher will benefit from hands-on experience with novel research methods and opportunities to work closely with international corporate partners and the world's leading academic institutions. The Institute of Strategy & Management's work environment is informal, intellectually stimulating, and exciting.
Before you submit your application, please ensure that your degree matches the formal requirements to enroll in a PhD program at the University of St.Gallen: https://www.unisg.ch/en/studying/admission/admission-phd/
You can find more information about us and our institute on our website: www.ifb.unisg.ch
Universität St.Gallen | Institut für Betriebswirtschaft | Dufourstrasse 40a | 9000 St.Gallen | www.ifb.unisg.ch
For further job-related questions, please contact Alexander Göritz (E-Mail schreiben).
Your tasks
- Challenging research according to international standards (basic and applied research) on topics of strategic management, in particular growth strategies, geopolitics & corporate strategy, alliances & ecosystems, and AI in strategy
- Writing of scientific publications and participation in international conferences
- Support in teaching at Bachelor, Master and Executive Education level (assisting with courses; supervising Bachelor/Master theses)
- Collaboration in company cooperations and research consortia
- Candidates for this position are expected to enroll in the PhD program in Management at the University of St.Gallen, with the doctoral supervisor being Christoph Lechner
Your profile
Candidates should fulfill the following qualifications:
- Outstanding Master's degree in business/management or a related field from a leading university or business school
- Strong interest in growth strategies, geopolitics & corporate strategy, alliances & ecosystems, and AI in strategy
- Demonstrated aptitude to work on analytical problems; if possible with scientific working methods (e.g. in a master thesis)
- Knowledge of statistics and AI tools (focus: quantitative research methods, possibly Python or R)
- Previous research experience, especially with analyzing datasets, is a definite plus
- First practical experience in a profession closely related to strategic management
The ideal candidate should have a combination of the following qualities:
- Is intellectually curious and likes thinking about complex ideas
- Is comfortable working with data
- Stays organized and can manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Demonstrates a proactive, hands-on attitude towards work
- Can work collaboratively in a team environment
- Communicates very effectively in German and English (Level C1 or higher, oral and written)
"A place where knowledge is created" - As one of Europe's leading universities of economics and business administration, the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, is committed to the education of over 10'000 students. The HSG is one of the largest employers in the region and provides an attractive and innovative environment for more than 3'500 researchers, educators and professional staff.