3 PhD Students (m/w/d)
Universität St. Gallen
St.Gallen
Key information
- Publication date:18 November 2025
- Workload:100%
- Place of work:St.Gallen
Applicants should send their full application (in English), including cover letter, curriculum vitae, examples of their academic work (e.g., their MA dissertation or seminar papers), and copies of relevant certificates, to Prof. Patrick Emmenegger (E-Mail schreiben) no later than January 31, 2026. For further inquiry, please send an email to Prof. Patrick Emmenegger. For more information on GOVPET, please visit www.govpet.ch . For more information on Prof. Emmenegger, please visit www.pemmenegger.com .
Your tasks
GOVPET is concerned with how skill formation, labor markets, and modern economies more generally adapt to the challenges associated with technological change and the eco-social transition in a context of skill shortage and climate change. The project takes a comparative approach and studies Switzerland as well as other advanced democracies in international comparisons. The three positions start in July 2026 (or upon agreement) and are for a period of up to five years. The positions are full time (100%). The salary aligns with the directives of the University of St.Gallen and amounts to about 61,000 CHF in the first year. Within the confines of the overall project, the successful applicants will have freedom to develop their own independent research. Next to research and coursework according to the regulations of the PhD program, the doctoral researchers are expected to join the research team's activities such as the annual doctoral workshops or the regular meetings with the prestigious academic advisory board. The positions offer opportunities to pursue further training (e.g. methods schools) and to attend scientific conferences.
Your profile
Applicants are expected to hold a MA/MSc degree in political science or related relevant disciplines. They should demonstrate the ability and motivation to pursue an academic career. The positions presuppose an interest in theory-driven empirical research on topics such as the political economy of skill formation, the politics of innovation and knowledge-based growth, and the effects of technology and the eco-social transition on modern economies with a particular focus on skills. Applicants should have excellent training in social science methodology. A good command of English, both spoken and written, is expected. Additional knowledge of one of Switzerland's main languages is an advantage.
"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.
