ETH Zürich PhD Scholarship 2026 in Agricultural Economics and Climate Policy in Switzerland | Fully Funded 4-Year Doctoral Opportunity

ETH Zürich has officially announced a fully funded PhD Scholarship opportunity for students interested in Agricultural Economics, Climate Policy, Sustainability, and Climate Change Mitigation in Swiss agriculture.

The doctoral position is hosted within the Agricultural Economics and Policy Group led by Professor Robert Finger and forms part of the major national research initiative known as the ACHIEVE Project: “Pathways to a Net-Zero Target for Hard-to-Abate Swiss Emissions.”

This prestigious four-year doctoral opportunity offers researchers the chance to work on one of the most urgent global challenges: reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agri-food systems while developing practical and evidence-based climate policy solutions.

The position is based in Zürich, Switzerland, and provides:

• Full funding for four years
• Competitive ETH Zürich salary
• Research and training opportunities
• International collaboration
• Strong academic mentorship
• Career development support

The application deadline is 26 June 2026.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zürich is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading universities in science, technology, sustainability, and innovation.

The university is known for:

• Cutting-edge research
• Academic excellence
• Global scientific impact
• Innovation-driven education
• Interdisciplinary collaboration

ETH Zürich hosts over 30,000 students and researchers from more than 120 countries and consistently ranks among the top universities globally.

The institution is committed to:

• Sustainability
• Climate neutrality
• Equal opportunity
• Diversity and inclusion
• Independent and innovative thinking

Its research environment encourages collaboration across academia, industry, government, and civil society to solve major global challenges.

About the ACHIEVE Project

The PhD scholarship is funded under the national research initiative:

“Pathways to a Net-Zero Target for Hard-to-Abate Swiss Emissions” (ACHIEVE)

The ACHIEVE project brings together:

• 29 member entities
• 27 collaboration partners
• Researchers
• Public sector institutions
• Industry actors
• Civil society stakeholders
• Policymakers

The initiative focuses on developing:

• Net-zero emission strategies for Switzerland
• Climate mitigation pathways
• Evidence-based policy recommendations
• Sustainable transition frameworks

Within this project, the Agricultural Economics and Policy Group at ETH Zürich leads a work package focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions within Swiss agri-food systems.

Research Focus of the PhD Position

The doctoral student will conduct research on:

• Climate change mitigation in agriculture
• Agricultural economics and policy
• Behavioural responses to climate policy
• Sustainable agri-food systems
• Farmer decision-making processes

The project specifically investigates the:

• Economic aspects of climate mitigation
• Policy effectiveness and efficiency
• Behavioural dimensions of environmental action
• Impact of climate policies on Swiss agriculture

Key Research Areas

The selected PhD candidate will work on topics such as:

• Greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies
• Farmer behaviour and climate adaptation
• Agricultural policy instruments
• Climate-related decision-making
• Sustainability transitions in agriculture
• Data-driven agricultural policy analysis
• Economic incentives for environmental action

Research Methodology and Activities

The doctoral project combines:

• Economic theory
• Data collection
• Survey research
• Behavioural experiments
• Quantitative analysis
• Stakeholder engagement

Major Research Activities Include:

1. Conducting Surveys and Choice Experiments

The candidate will:

• Design and implement farmer surveys
• Conduct behavioural choice experiments
• Gather primary data from Swiss farmers

2. Data Analysis

Responsibilities include:

• Analyzing survey data
• Working with secondary datasets
• Conducting economic and statistical analysis

3. Stakeholder Interaction

The researcher will engage with:

• Farmers
• Policymakers
• Agricultural stakeholders
• Sustainability experts

4. Collaboration with Researchers

The candidate will collaborate with:

• PhD students
• Postdoctoral researchers
• International project teams
• Interdisciplinary research groups

5. Student Supervision

The doctoral student will also:

• Supervise bachelor students
• Support master’s students

PhD Training and Academic Development

As part of the doctoral trajectory, the selected candidate will:

• Complete 18 ECTS of PhD-level coursework
• Participate in advanced academic training
• Engage in interdisciplinary learning opportunities

ETH Zürich provides extensive mentoring and professional development support throughout the program.

Duration and Start Date

Duration:

• Fully funded for four years

Employment Type:

• Full-time
• Fixed-term position

Planned Start Period:

• Last quarter of 2026 (October–December)

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria.

Educational Qualification

Candidates should hold:

• A Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, or
• A closely related discipline

Applicants close to completing their Master’s degree may also apply.

Language Requirements

Because the project involves direct engagement with Swiss farmers and stakeholders, applicants must demonstrate:

• C1 proficiency in German or French

Strong English communication and academic writing skills are also highly beneficial.

Skills and Competencies

Applicants should possess:

• Strong analytical skills
• Quantitative research abilities
• Academic writing competence
• Interest in climate policy and sustainability
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary environments

Benefits of the ETH Zürich PhD Scholarship

ETH Zürich offers one of the most attractive doctoral research environments in Europe.

Key Benefits Include:

1. Fully Funded Position

• Competitive salary according to ETH Zürich standards
• Full-time funding for four years

2. Research Excellence

• Access to world-class research infrastructure
• Collaboration with leading researchers

3. Personalized Mentorship

• Strong academic supervision
• Career guidance and mentoring

4. International and Diverse Environment

• Multicultural research community
• Interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities

5. Career Development Support

The program prepares graduates for careers in:

• Academia
• Government
• Industry
• International organizations
• Sustainability policy institutions

6. Continuous Training Opportunities

• PhD-level courses
• Skills development workshops
• Academic networking opportunities

ETH Zürich’s Commitment to Diversity and Sustainability

ETH Zürich strongly promotes:

• Equality of opportunity
• Inclusive academic culture
• Respect for diversity
• Sustainability-focused research

The university encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and fosters a research environment where all staff and students can thrive.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following as a single PDF:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Contact details of two referees
4. Academic transcripts

Application Deadline

Deadline: 26 June 2026

Applicants are encouraged to apply early and carefully prepare strong research-oriented application materials.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should:

1. Visit the ETH Zürich online application portal
2. Prepare all required documents
3. Submit the application online before the deadline

Important:

• Applications submitted by email or post will not be accepted

Apply HERE

Why This Opportunity Is Important

Climate change mitigation in agriculture is one of the most pressing global policy challenges today. Agriculture plays a critical role in greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity protection, food security, and sustainability transitions.

This ETH Zürich PhD Scholarship provides researchers with the opportunity to:

• Contribute to impactful climate research
• Influence future agricultural policies
• Work directly with stakeholders
• Develop practical sustainability solutions
• Build a globally respected academic career

For students passionate about sustainability, agricultural economics, climate governance, and environmental policy, this doctoral opportunity represents an exceptional pathway into high-impact international research.

For more information, visit the official website

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