LIVES Doctoral Programme 2026–2029: PhD Training Opportunity for Early-Stage Researchers in Europe

The Swiss Centre of Expertise in Life Course Research (LIVES) has opened applications for its next cohort of doctoral researchers, offering early-stage PhD candidates the opportunity to join an internationally oriented and interdisciplinary doctoral programme focused on life course and lifespan research.

The LIVES Doctoral Programme is designed for researchers whose doctoral projects examine how people’s lives develop and change over time, including issues surrounding education, employment, health, ageing, social transitions, family experiences, public policy, and other factors that influence individual and collective life trajectories.

The programme has been running since 2012 and has supported more than 130 PhD graduates. For the upcoming cohort, LIVES is inviting applications from eligible doctoral students who want to strengthen their theoretical knowledge, methodological expertise, interdisciplinary research skills, and academic networks.

The new cohort will run from December 2026 to February 2029, with activities taking place at the University of Geneva and the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.

Opportunity Overview

The LIVES Doctoral Programme provides structured doctoral training for PhD candidates whose research is connected to the study of life courses and human development across time.

Rather than being a conventional PhD scholarship or a standalone doctoral degree, the programme functions as an additional specialised training programme that doctoral candidates can undertake alongside their existing disciplinary PhD training.

This makes it particularly valuable for researchers who are already enrolled in doctoral programmes and want to develop stronger expertise in life course theory, longitudinal research, interdisciplinary approaches, and advanced methodological techniques.

Key details at a glance

• Programme: LIVES Doctoral Programme
• Cohort: December 2026 – February 2029
• Host: Swiss Centre of Expertise in Life Course Research (LIVES)
• Locations: University of Geneva and University of Lausanne, Switzerland
• Opportunity type: Doctoral training programme
• Target applicants: Early-stage PhD/doctoral students
• Research focus: Life course and lifespan research
• Eligible fields: Social sciences, psychology, health sciences and related disciplines
• Study/research format: In-person workshops, training sessions and academic events
• English requirement: Minimum B2 level
• Application deadline: 30 September 2026
• Admissions decision: No later than the end of October 2026
• Programme start: December 2026

What Is the LIVES Doctoral Programme?

The LIVES Doctoral Programme is a specialised interdisciplinary programme developed to support doctoral researchers studying life course processes.

The programme recognises that important outcomes in people’s lives are often shaped by events and experiences occurring at different points throughout their lives. Researchers may therefore need approaches that can connect childhood experiences, education, employment, health, family life, ageing, social change and other transitions across time.

LIVES brings together doctoral researchers working on these kinds of questions and provides them with opportunities to receive training from specialists, exchange ideas with other PhD candidates and obtain feedback from experienced researchers.

The programme also places considerable emphasis on longitudinal methods and life course analysis, making it particularly relevant to researchers working with data that follows people, groups or populations over extended periods.

Who Should Apply?

The programme is aimed at early-stage doctoral students whose PhD research has a clear life course or lifespan perspective.

Potential applicants may be researching a wide variety of topics. What matters most is the connection between the doctoral project and life course research.

Applicants may come from disciplines such as:

• Sociology
• Demography
• Psychology
• Epidemiology
• Economics
• Political Science
• Neuroscience
• History
• Gender Studies
• Health sciences
• Other related disciplines

The programme is interdisciplinary, meaning that applicants do not necessarily need to come from one specific academic department.

Examples of Eligible Research Topics

LIVES provides several examples of research areas that can fit within its programme.

1. Early-Life Events and Later Outcomes

Research may investigate how experiences during childhood, adolescence or other early stages of life affect outcomes later in life.

For example, a doctoral researcher could study how childhood socioeconomic circumstances influence educational achievement, employment opportunities, health or social mobility later in adulthood.

2. Life Trajectories Across Different Domains

Applicants may study how people’s trajectories develop across different areas of life.

Possible domains include:

• Education
• Employment
• Health
• Family
• Social relationships
• Economic circumstances
• Migration
• Ageing

Such research can examine how developments in one area of life interact with developments in another.

3. Turning Points and Transitions

Life course research can also focus on major transitions and turning points in individual biographies.

Examples could include:

• Transition from school to work
• Marriage or partnership
• Parenthood
• Retirement
• Migration
• Career changes
• Major health events
• Educational transitions

Researchers may investigate what causes these transitions and how they affect people’s subsequent trajectories.

4. Accumulation and Depletion Across the Life Span

The programme also welcomes research examining how advantages and disadvantages accumulate or diminish over time.

This could involve studying how socioeconomic advantage, educational opportunities, health conditions or social resources build up across different stages of life.

5. Longitudinal Methods and Data Analysis

Applicants whose projects involve longitudinal datasets and methods may find the programme particularly relevant.

Longitudinal research allows researchers to examine change over time rather than relying solely on observations from a single point.

6. Changing Social Norms Around Age and Ageing

Another potential area concerns changing attitudes, expectations and social norms surrounding age and ageing.

Researchers could examine how societies understand different stages of life and how these expectations change over generations.

7. Life Course Research and Public Policy

The programme also welcomes research examining how life course concepts can contribute to public policy.

This could include research into policies affecting education, employment, healthcare, ageing, family life, social protection or other areas of public policy.

Programme Structure

The LIVES Doctoral Programme is organised over approximately two years and combines theoretical training, methodological workshops, doctoral presentations and individual academic feedback.

Participants are expected to attend a number of activities throughout the programme.

The structure includes four intensive sessions on theories and concepts in life course research.

Each theoretical session lasts approximately two to three days and is designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of the conceptual foundations of life course research.

The programme also provides four methodological workshops focusing on longitudinal and life course analysis.

These workshops last approximately two to four days and are intended to develop participants’ ability to apply appropriate methods to life course research.

LIVES Doctoriales

A particularly important part of the programme is the LIVES Doctoriales.

Two annual Doctoriales are organised during the programme. These provide PhD candidates with an opportunity to present their research to senior scholars and receive expert feedback.

Presenting doctoral research in this setting can help researchers identify weaknesses, refine research questions, improve theoretical frameworks and strengthen methodological approaches.

It also provides valuable experience in communicating academic research to an expert audience.

Individual Expert Feedback

Participants also receive an individual feedback session.

During this session, doctoral researchers have the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas about their research with an invited expert.

This personalised academic interaction can be particularly useful when a researcher is trying to address a difficult theoretical, methodological or conceptual issue within their thesis.

Commitment Required from Participants

Applicants should understand that joining the LIVES Doctoral Programme requires an active commitment to participation.

Participants are expected to attend at least 13 days of their choice from the eight doctoral workshops.

The programme also identifies certain activities as compulsory.

According to the call, Session 1 and the two LIVES Doctoriales are compulsory, and selected workshops and Doctoriales must be attended in person.

The programme is designed to complement, rather than replace, a participant’s existing disciplinary doctoral training.

PhD candidates who want to undertake LIVES training alongside their disciplinary training are explicitly welcome.

For example, a doctoral researcher may continue specialised training in areas such as social psychology, neuroscience or another discipline while participating in the LIVES programme.

Certificates and ECTS Credits

Participants can receive certificates of attendance for the programme modules.

The certificates include the corresponding number of ECTS credits, providing formal recognition of the training completed through the programme.

This can be useful for doctoral researchers who need evidence of additional academic training as part of their doctoral development.

Financial Support for Participants

The programme provides financial assistance to support participation, although applicants should note that this is not presented as a full doctoral scholarship covering all living and study expenses.

Support for Swiss-Based PhD Candidates

For PhD candidates based in Switzerland, travel expenses are reimbursed based on the cost of a half-fare second-class ticket.

Support for International PhD Candidates

International PhD candidates can receive financial assistance for travel of up to CHF 200 per session, for a maximum of five sessions.

This means eligible international participants could potentially receive up to CHF 1,000 in travel support across five sessions, subject to the programme’s applicable conditions.

Accommodation Support

LIVES also indicates that accommodation subsidies are available for a limited number of students.

International applicants who require accommodation assistance should contact the programme for further information.

Applicants from outside Switzerland are specifically asked in the application form whether they wish to request financial assistance for accommodation.

Meals and Breaks

The programme also provides some meal-related support.

During workshops, lunch breaks are covered.

During the LIVES Doctoriales, lunch and coffee breaks are covered.

Applicants should nevertheless carefully review the programme’s financial arrangements and contact LIVES if they require clarification regarding expenses that are not specifically listed as covered.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy several conditions before applying.

1. Your PhD Must Have a Life Course or Life Span Perspective

The doctoral thesis must incorporate a life course or lifespan perspective.

This is one of the most important eligibility requirements.

Simply being a doctoral student in a social science or health-related field is not enough. The research itself should meaningfully engage with life course or lifespan concepts.

2. Academic Discipline

The doctoral research should have a disciplinary background in an eligible or related field.

The call specifically mentions:

• Sociology
• Demography
• Psychology
• Epidemiology
• Economics
• Political Science
• Neuroscience
• History
• Gender Studies

Related fields may also be considered where the doctoral project has a clear connection to life course research.

3. Existing Academic Affiliation

Applicants must already be affiliated with an academic institution.

This means the programme is intended for people who are already doctoral candidates rather than individuals who are merely planning to start a PhD in the future.

An official document confirming academic affiliation must be submitted with the application.

4. PhD Funding

The PhD thesis must be funded for the length of the doctoral programme.

Funding can come from:

• An academic institution; or
• Third-party funding.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their existing doctoral funding arrangement covers the required period.

5. English Language Ability

Applicants must be able to speak and write English fluently.

The minimum stated level is B2.

Because the programme involves workshops, academic presentations, discussions and written research materials, applicants should be comfortable communicating their research in English.

Where Can Applicants Be Based?

The programme is open to doctoral students based in Switzerland and Europe.

The call does not specify a particular racial, ethnic or nationality restriction.

Therefore, eligibility is primarily determined by the applicant’s academic status, institutional affiliation, research topic, funding and geographical location rather than race.

International applicants outside Switzerland can receive certain travel assistance, subject to the programme’s funding conditions.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit several supporting documents alongside the application form.

1. Cover Letter

Applicants must provide a cover letter explaining their motivation for joining the LIVES Doctoral Programme.

The letter should clearly explain:

• Why the applicant wants to participate
• How their PhD research relates to life course research
• What they hope to gain from the programme
• How the programme complements their existing doctoral training
• Why the applicant would contribute meaningfully to the LIVES doctoral community

2. Curriculum Vitae

A CV must be submitted.

The CV should clearly present the applicant’s academic background, research experience, publications where applicable, professional experience, methodological skills, conferences and other relevant achievements.

3. PhD Project Title and Abstract

Applicants must provide the title and an abstract of their PhD project, with the abstract being approximately 500 words maximum.

This section should clearly communicate the research question, objectives, theoretical approach, methodology and relevance of the research to life course or lifespan studies.

4. Supervisor Recommendation Letter

Applicants must submit a one-page letter of support from their PhD supervisor or supervisors.

The recommendation should demonstrate the supervisor’s support for the applicant’s participation and establish the relevance of the LIVES programme to the doctoral research.

5. Official Academic Affiliation Document

Applicants must provide an official document certifying their affiliation with an academic institution.

This is important because applicants must already be affiliated with an academic institution to qualify.

Application Form Information

The online application form requests several pieces of information from candidates.

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

• First name
• Last name
• Institutional email
• Postal address
• City
• Postal code
• Country
• Academic institution
• Discipline
• Source of PhD funding
• Name of PhD supervisor
• Supervisor’s email address

Applicants must also upload their supporting documents.

The system allows up to 10 files, with a maximum total file size of 50 MB.

Accepted file formats include:

• TXT
• RTF
• PDF
• DOC
• DOCX
• ODT
• PPT
• PPTX
• ODP
• XLS
• XLSX
• ODS

After uploading the documents, applicants are instructed to check the boxes corresponding to the documents that should be submitted with their application.

Accommodation Assistance for International Applicants

Applicants from outside Switzerland will be asked whether they want to request financial assistance for accommodation.

The form provides two options:

• Yes
• No

Applicants who require accommodation assistance should indicate this during the application process and may also contact the programme for additional information about eligibility and available subsidies.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the LIVES Doctoral Programme is:

30 September 2026

Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to submit their materials.

Because the application requires multiple supporting documents, including a supervisor recommendation letter and official proof of academic affiliation, candidates should begin preparing their applications well before the deadline.

What Happens After Applying?

The admissions process is expected to be completed relatively soon after the deadline.

According to LIVES, admission decisions will be confirmed no later than the end of October 2026.

The new cohort is scheduled to begin in December 2026.

Successful applicants will subsequently sign an agreement involving:

• The PhD candidate
• Their supervisor or supervisors
• The LIVES Doctoral Programme

This agreement formalises participation in the programme.

Why This Programme Could Be Valuable for PhD Researchers

The LIVES Doctoral Programme offers several potential academic and professional advantages.

Interdisciplinary Training

Life course research often crosses disciplinary boundaries. The programme brings together researchers from different academic backgrounds, allowing participants to encounter theories and methods beyond their primary discipline.

Advanced Methodological Skills

The methodological workshops focus on longitudinal and life course analysis, which can strengthen a researcher’s ability to analyse changes and developments over time.

Expert Academic Feedback

Participants have opportunities to present their research to senior scholars and receive specialised feedback.

This can be extremely valuable during the early stages of a PhD, when research questions, theoretical frameworks and methodologies are still being refined.

International Academic Network

The programme creates a community of international PhD researchers working on related questions.

Building relationships with other doctoral researchers can lead to future collaborations, research exchanges, conference opportunities and broader academic networks.

Exposure to Leading Life Course Research

Participants can deepen their understanding of life course theories, concepts and research methods through structured sessions and workshops.

Formal Recognition

Certificates and ECTS credits provide formal recognition of participation in the programme’s training modules.

Important Considerations Before Applying

Applicants should carefully assess whether the programme fits their current doctoral situation.

First, this is not an opportunity for someone who has not yet started a PhD. The applicant must already be affiliated with an academic institution.

Second, the PhD must be funded for the duration of the programme.

Third, the research must genuinely incorporate a life course or lifespan perspective. Applicants should therefore avoid presenting a project that only has a superficial connection to the topic.

Fourth, participation involves in-person attendance in Switzerland. Candidates should consider their ability to attend the required sessions and workshops.

Finally, applicants should not assume that the travel assistance represents complete financial coverage. The call specifies particular limits for travel and indicates that accommodation subsidies are available only to a limited number of students.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

A competitive application should demonstrate a clear connection between the applicant’s doctoral research and the objectives of the LIVES programme.

Make the Life Course Connection Explicit

Do not assume that the selection committee will automatically see the connection.

Explain precisely how the thesis examines:

• Change over time
• Life transitions
• Trajectories
• Turning points
• Accumulation or depletion
• Age and ageing
• Intergenerational processes
• Longitudinal patterns
• Policy implications across the life span

Strengthen the Motivation Letter

The cover letter should go beyond saying that the programme is prestigious or interesting.

Explain specifically why LIVES is relevant to the doctoral project and identify the theoretical or methodological skills you hope to develop.

Prepare the Supervisor Early

Because a supervisor support letter is required, applicants should approach their supervisor well before the deadline.

Waiting until the final days could create unnecessary delays.

Make the 500-Word Abstract Count

The abstract has a maximum of approximately 500 words, so every paragraph should have a purpose.

A strong abstract should quickly establish the research problem, research question, theoretical perspective, methodology and expected contribution.

Demonstrate Methodological Interest

Because the programme includes several methodological workshops, applicants should explain how longitudinal or life course methods could strengthen their research.

Contact Information

Applicants who need clarification can contact the LIVES Doctoral Programme.

Programme Officer: Dr. Charikleia Lampraki

Email: doctoral-centre-lives@unige.ch

The Centre LIVES can also be contacted through:

Telephone: +41 21 692 38 71

General email: lives@unil.ch

Programme Locations

The programme operates across two Swiss academic locations.

Lausanne

LIVES – Swiss Centre of Expertise in Life Course Research

Bâtiment Géopolis
1015 Lausanne
5th Floor
Switzerland

Geneva

CIGEV, University of Geneva

22 chemin de Pinchat
1227 Carouge
Switzerland

Application Link

Interested doctoral candidates should use the official LIVES application page to submit their application and supporting documents.

Official application page: HERE

Additional information about the 2026–27 programme, including workshops and events, is available through the LIVES programme outline.

More PHD programs available on the OFY Website HERE

Conclusion

The LIVES Doctoral Programme 2026–2029 is a valuable academic development opportunity for early-stage PhD researchers whose work examines people’s lives, trajectories and transitions over time.

Through theoretical training, methodological workshops, doctoral presentations, individual expert feedback and an international peer network, the programme offers participants an opportunity to strengthen both the conceptual and practical dimensions of their doctoral research.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to researchers working in sociology, demography, psychology, epidemiology, economics, political science, neuroscience, history, gender studies, health sciences and related disciplines, provided that their doctoral research incorporates a meaningful life course or lifespan perspective.

Applicants should remember that they must already be affiliated with an academic institution, have appropriate funding for their PhD, meet the English-language requirement and be able to participate in the programme’s in-person activities.

Most importantly, prospective applicants should begin preparing their supporting documents early, especially the supervisor recommendation and official academic affiliation document.

Application deadline: 30 September 2026.

For eligible doctoral researchers interested in life course research, longitudinal methods and interdisciplinary academic development, the LIVES Doctoral Programme represents an opportunity to become part of an established international research community while gaining specialised training that can strengthen their PhD journey and future academic career.