The Department of Political Science at the University of Zurich (IPZ) and the Center for Democracy Aarau (ZDA) invite applications for a PhD position under the supervision of Prof. Hannah Werner on the topic of democratic attitudes and climate change.
How does climate change affect the way citizens think about democracy? Will citizens weaken their commitment to democratic principles when the climate crisis is increasingly experienced in their daily lives? What is a fair way to take political decisions on climate policy? Can democratic innovations, such as climate assemblies, strengthen the perceived legitimacy of climate policy making?
These are some of the questions that are studied in the research group. The doctoral candidate should ideally be interested in one of those or neighboring question to pursue in their PhD project.
Your responsibilities
The candidate will develop and conduct their own PhD project situated in the broader research area described above (democratic innovation, political behavior, public opinion in connection with climate change). The candidate will independently design and conduct empirical research with guidance from and collaboration with Hannah Werner.
Further collaboration in research projects running in the research group and the Department is encouraged.
Your profile
- MA degree in political science or in a related discipline
- Interest in research on democratic attitudes, legitimacy, democratic innovation and the political consequences of climate change
- Solid training in quantitative methods, qualitative methods skills are a plus
- Ability to work both independently and in a team
- Strong command of English
- Creativity, open-mindedness and curiosity
What we offer
- An inspiring, engaging and collegial work environment both at the IPZ and ZDA
- Excellent educational opportunities in the doctoral program at the IPZ and the Swiss Democracy Studies network
- Resources to conduct your own research and participate in international conferences and summer schools
- Possibility to independently develop your PhD project supported by a dedicated supervisor
- Possibility to gain experience in teaching, if desired (paid)
- 4 years of funding (conditional on approval of the PhD proposal by the end of the first year)
- Salary approximately 50’000 CHF per year (gross salary)
Place of work
Institut für Politikwissenschaft, Affolternstrasse, Zürich, Switzerland
Start of employment
Place of work: IPZ Zurich and ZDA Aarau (1 day a week)
Start of employment: March 1, 2024
Closing date for applications: July 31, 2023
Further information
Further inquiries can be directed to Prof. Dr. Hannah Werner
We encourage especially women, people of color and members of other marginalized groups to apply. The applications will be anonymized before being reviewed, so please do not include pictures in your CV. The UZH is an equal opportunity employer and offers a broad range of services, including child care options and language courses.
Please send your application electronically as one PDF-file comprising your letter of interest, a current CV, transcripts, a writing sample (e.g. Master thesis), and the contact details of two people willing to serve as a reference with the subject “PhD position Prof. Werner”, to personal@ipz.uzh.ch (no employer references needed) or apply now.