Are you passionate about macroeconomics, public finance, international taxation, or political economy? Do you aspire to pursue a world-class doctoral degree at one of Europe’s leading universities while contributing to impactful research that influences economic policy?

ETH Zurich is inviting outstanding candidates from around the world to apply for one or more PhD Positions in Applied Macroeconomics and Political Economy at the prestigious KOF Swiss Economic Institute. This doctoral opportunity provides researchers with the chance to conduct cutting-edge empirical research, collaborate with internationally recognized economists, participate in global conferences, and earn a PhD from one of the world’s highest-ranked universities.

The positions are designed for ambitious graduates who want to investigate real-world economic challenges using advanced econometric methods and large-scale datasets while developing expertise that can shape future economic policies.

Applications are open until 30 September 2026.

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is among the world’s leading universities specializing in science, technology, engineering, economics, and innovation. Located in Zurich, Switzerland, the institution has earned a global reputation for:

• Academic excellence
• Groundbreaking scientific research
• International collaboration
• Policy-relevant innovation
• Strong industry partnerships

With over 30,000 students and researchers representing more than 120 countries, ETH Zurich provides an international environment that promotes independent thinking, innovation, and academic excellence.

The university is also home to the internationally respected KOF Swiss Economic Institute, Switzerland’s premier institute for applied economic research.

About the PhD Opportunity

The Chair of Applied Macroeconomics, affiliated with the Department of Management, Technology and Economics (D-MTEC), is seeking talented doctoral researchers to join its expanding research team.

Successful applicants will become members of both:

• The Chair of Applied Macroeconomics
• KOF Swiss Economic Institute

The program combines academic excellence with policy-oriented research, allowing doctoral candidates to investigate important economic questions that influence governments, international organizations, and policymakers.

Rather than assigning fixed dissertation topics, supervisors will work closely with each doctoral researcher to design an individualized research project that aligns with the student’s interests and career goals.

Research Areas

The research focuses on empirical macroeconomics and policy-relevant economic issues using advanced quantitative methods.

Potential research themes include:

1. Globalization and Fiscal Policy

Researchers may investigate:

• Global economic integration
• International policy competition
• Fiscal sustainability
• Government spending
• Public finance reforms

2. International Taxation

One PhD position is specifically aimed at applicants interested in taxation within a global economy.

Possible research topics include:

• Corporate taxation
• Tax havens
• Multinational profit shifting
• International tax competition
• Political economy of tax rules
• Labour-market effects of taxation
• Distributional effects of international taxation

3. Political Economy

Possible research areas include:

• Electoral incentives
• Political institutions
• Economic freedom
• Public policy design
• Government accountability
• Information and policymaking

4. Applied Macroeconomics

Students may research:

• Business cycles
• Inflation
• Monetary policy
• Economic forecasting
• Productivity
• Long-term economic growth

5. International Economics

Topics include:

• Global trade
• International markets
• Cross-border investment
• Economic integration
• International policy coordination

6. Migration and Labour Markets

Research may examine:

• Labour-market dynamics
• Migration economics
• Household behaviour
• Employment outcomes
• Demographic changes

7. Corruption and Governance

Candidates may also investigate:

• Institutional quality
• Governance reforms
• Corruption
• Policy effectiveness
• Economic development

Types of Data Used

Researchers will gain experience working with diverse datasets, including:

• Firm-level data
• Household data
• Country-level datasets
• Administrative data
• Survey data
• Geospatial datasets
• International datasets
• Text-based datasets
• Microeconomic databases
• Macroeconomic databases

Research Methods

Doctoral researchers will develop expertise in modern econometric methods, including:

• Panel-data analysis
• Time-series econometrics
• Causal inference
• Quantitative analysis
• Statistical modelling
• Forecasting techniques
• Advanced empirical research methods

Responsibilities of Successful Candidates

As a doctoral researcher, you will:

• Develop an original dissertation.
• Design innovative research projects.
• Formulate research questions.
• Conduct empirical analyses.
• Publish academic papers.
• Collect and manage research datasets.
• Document research findings.
• Present work at seminars.
• Attend international academic conferences.
• Participate in workshops.
• Join research meetings.
• Complete doctoral coursework.
• Contribute to limited teaching activities when required.
• Collaborate with fellow researchers.

Supervision

Successful candidates will receive academic supervision from:

• Prof. Dr. Jan-Egbert Sturm
• Dr. Enea Baselgia (depending on the research area)

The supervisory team will provide continuous mentorship throughout the doctoral journey.

Academic Environment

The Chair emphasizes:

• Collaboration
• Academic freedom
• Research excellence
• Policy relevance
• Innovation
• Interdisciplinary learning

Researchers are encouraged to exchange ideas, participate in seminars, and build strong academic networks.

Benefits of the PhD Position

Successful candidates will enjoy numerous benefits, including:

• Opportunity to earn a PhD from ETH Zurich.
• Employment at one of Europe’s leading universities.
• Membership in the renowned KOF Swiss Economic Institute.
• Competitive salary according to ETH Zurich regulations.
• International research exposure.
• Access to leading economists and researchers.
• Participation in international conferences.
• Opportunities to present research globally.
• Professional mentoring.
• Career development support.
• Access to advanced datasets.
• Strong interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Research workshops.
• Academic seminars.
• Networking with international scholars.
• Opportunity to build an international academic profile.
• Potential extension to complete a four- to five-year doctorate.

Employment Conditions

The successful applicants will receive:

• Initial appointment of 18 months.
• Possibility of extension based on satisfactory progress.
• Expected total PhD duration of approximately 4–5 years.
• Competitive gross salary under ETH Zurich regulations.
• Negotiable starting date.

Who Should Apply?

ETH Zurich welcomes applicants from diverse academic and personal backgrounds.

Applicants should have:

• A completed Master’s degree in Economics or a closely related discipline before the position begins.
• Strong interest in empirical economic research.
• Interest in macroeconomics.
• Interest in political economy.
• Interest in public finance.
• Interest in international economics.
• Strong quantitative skills.
• Knowledge of econometrics.
• Knowledge of statistics.
• Experience using Stata, Python, or R.
• Excellent English communication skills.
• Interest in collaborative research.

Applicants from quantitative disciplines such as:

• Statistics
• Data Science
• Political Science
• Finance
• Public Policy

are also encouraged to apply if they possess sufficient economics training.

Preferred Skills

Although not mandatory, the following are considered advantageous:

• Panel-data methods
• Time-series econometrics
• Causal inference
• Large microeconomic datasets
• International taxation
• Tax competition
• Fiscal federalism
• Political economy
• Research career aspirations
• German language skills (optional)

Commitment to Diversity

ETH Zurich strongly promotes:

• Equal opportunities
• Diversity
• Inclusion
• Respect
• Academic freedom

The university particularly encourages applications from women and individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in economics.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must prepare:

1. Letter of motivation explaining research interests.
2. Curriculum Vitae (without a photograph).
3. Writing sample (Master’s thesis, research paper, or equivalent).
4. Complete academic transcript.
5. Copies of degrees and certificates.
6. Contact details of two or three referees.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit their applications through the official ETH Zurich online application portal.

Applications submitted by:

• Email
• Postal mail

will not be accepted.

APPLYHERE

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply is 30 September 2026. Late applications will not be considered.

Why You Should Apply

This PhD opportunity offers far more than doctoral study—it provides a platform to become part of one of Europe’s most respected economic research communities. Students will gain advanced research skills, publish influential work, collaborate with internationally recognized scholars, and contribute to solving pressing global economic challenges.

Whether your ambition is an academic career, work with international organizations, government institutions, central banks, or economic policy think tanks, this doctoral program provides exceptional preparation and international recognition.

Visit HERE for more information about the Fully Funded PhD Positions in Applied Macroeconomics and Political Economy at ETH Zurich, Switzerland 2026

Conclusion

The ETH Zurich PhD Positions in Applied Macroeconomics and Political Economy represent an outstanding opportunity for talented graduates seeking to build a research career in economics. Through rigorous training, world-class supervision, international collaboration, and access to one of Europe’s leading economic research institutes, successful candidates will develop the expertise needed to influence academic research and economic policymaking worldwide.

If you have a strong quantitative background, a passion for applied economic research, and the desire to contribute to evidence-based policymaking, this doctoral program could be the ideal next step in your academic journey. Be sure to submit your complete application before 30 September 2026.

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