ETH Zurich has opened applications for a fully funded doctoral (PhD) position in its Agricultural Economics and Policy Group. The four-year research opportunity focuses on the economics and policy of climate change mitigation in Swiss agriculture and offers candidates the chance to contribute to one of Switzerland’s largest climate transition initiatives.

The position is based in Zurich and is expected to begin during the final quarter of 2026, between October and December. Applications are open until June 26, 2026.

Research Project Aims to Support Switzerland’s Net-Zero Goals

The PhD position is funded through the ACHIEVE project, titled “Pathways to a Net-Zero Target for Hard-to-Abate Swiss Emissions.”

The initiative brings together:

29 member organizations
27 collaboration partners
Researchers from academia
Industry stakeholders
Public sector institutions
Civil society representatives
Policymakers

The project seeks to develop practical strategies and policy recommendations that can help Switzerland achieve its net-zero emissions targets.

Within the broader initiative, ETH Zurich’s Agricultural Economics and Policy Group is leading research on reducing greenhouse gas emissions across Swiss agri-food systems.

The doctoral student will work under the supervision of Robert Finger and contribute to understanding how farmers, policymakers, and agricultural systems can effectively support climate change mitigation efforts.

Focus on Climate Policy, Farmer Behaviour, and Agricultural Economics

The selected candidate will investigate the economic, behavioral, and policy dimensions of climate action in agriculture.

Key research areas include:

Climate change mitigation in Swiss agriculture
Agricultural policy design and evaluation
Farmer decision-making and management practices
Economic incentives for emissions reduction
Behavioral responses to environmental policies
Greenhouse gas mitigation strategies in agri-food systems

The research will involve both theoretical and applied work, combining economic analysis with real-world stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities of the Doctoral Student

The successful applicant will play an active role in designing and conducting research activities throughout the project.

Core responsibilities include:

Research and Data Collection

Designing and conducting surveys with Swiss farmers
Developing and implementing choice experiments
Collecting primary and secondary datasets
Engaging directly with agricultural stakeholders

Data Analysis and Policy Evaluation

Analyzing survey and experimental data
Evaluating the effectiveness of climate policy instruments
Assessing economic and behavioral responses to policy interventions
Producing evidence-based recommendations for policymakers

Academic Collaboration

Working closely with doctoral researchers and postdoctoral fellows
Collaborating across interdisciplinary research teams
Participating in project-wide activities and workshops
Contributing to publications and scientific outputs

Student Supervision

The doctoral candidate will also support teaching and mentoring activities by supervising:

Master’s students
Bachelor’s students

PhD Training and Academic Development

In addition to conducting research, the selected candidate will complete doctoral-level coursework designed to strengthen expertise in relevant fields.

Requirements include:

Completion of 18 ECTS credits at PhD level
Participation in advanced academic training
Engagement in professional development opportunities

The program is structured to provide strong preparation for careers in academia, public administration, policy development, and the private sector.

Eligibility Requirements

ETH Zurich is seeking candidates with a strong academic background and a demonstrated interest in agricultural economics and climate policy.

Applicants should possess:

A Master’s degree, or be close to completing one, in:
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Policy
- Environmental Economics
- Related disciplines

Additional qualifications include:

Strong quantitative and analytical skills
Excellent academic writing abilities
Ability to work in interdisciplinary research environments
Interest in climate policy and sustainability issues

Language Requirements

Because the project involves direct engagement with Swiss farmers, language proficiency is a critical requirement.

Applicants must demonstrate:

C1-level proficiency in German or French

This requirement is essential for conducting surveys, experiments, interviews, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Benefits and Funding

The position offers a comprehensive package of academic and professional benefits.

Successful candidates will receive:

A fully funded four-year PhD position
Competitive salary according to ETH Zurich standards
Comprehensive social benefits
Personalized mentoring and supervision
Access to advanced doctoral courses
Continuous professional development opportunities
Opportunities to collaborate with international researchers
Connections to policymakers and agri-food stakeholders

The university also highlights its supportive and diverse research environment, designed to encourage innovation and academic excellence.

Commitment to Diversity and Sustainability

ETH Zurich emphasizes its commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable academic community.

The institution actively promotes:

Equal opportunities
Diversity and inclusion
Respect for the rights and dignity of all staff and students
Sustainable research and operations
Climate-neutral development goals

As one of the world’s leading science and technology universities, ETH Zurich hosts more than 30,000 students and staff from over 120 countries.

Application Process

Interested candidates must submit the following documents as a single PDF file:

Cover letter
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Contact information for two referees
Academic transcripts

Applicants should note that:

Reference letters are not required at the application stage.
Applications submitted via email or postal mail will not be accepted.
All applications must be submitted through ETH Zurich’s online application portal.

The preferred starting period is between October and December 2026.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Doctoral Student position in Agricultural Economics and Climate Change Mitigation at ETH Zurich is:

June 26, 2026

The opportunity offers aspiring researchers a chance to contribute to Switzerland’s transition toward net-zero emissions while gaining advanced training at one of the world’s most prestigious universities in science and technology.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.