Applications are now open for the PhD Positions in Applied Macroeconomics and Political Economy 2026 at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. The positions are hosted by the Chair of Applied Macroeconomics in collaboration with the KOF Swiss Economic Institute, one of Switzerland's leading research institutes for applied economics.
Successful applicants will join a collaborative research environment focusing on empirical macroeconomics, international economics, public finance, and political economy. Doctoral researchers will work with internationally recognized faculty members while earning a PhD degree from ETH Zurich.
Details of the ETH Zurich PhD Positions 2026
- Host Country: Switzerland
- University: ETH Zurich
- Institute: KOF Swiss Economic Institute
- Department: Department of Management, Technology and Economics (D-MTEC)
- Degree Level: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Funding Type: Paid Research Position
- Duration: Initial 18-month contract, extendable to 4–5 years based on satisfactory progress
- Starting Date: Negotiable
- Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Degree Level
The opportunity is available for:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Available Subjects
Research areas include:
- Applied Macroeconomics
- Political Economy
- International Economics
- Public Finance
- International Taxation
- Corporate Taxation
- Econometrics
- Monetary Economics
- Fiscal Policy
- Business Cycles
- Economic Forecasting
- Migration Economics
- Public Policy
- Data Science in Economics
- Development of Economic Institutions
Scholarship Benefits
Selected candidates will receive:
- Fully funded paid PhD research position.
- Competitive gross salary according to ETH Zurich employment regulations.
- Opportunity to earn a PhD from ETH Zurich.
- Supervision by Prof. Dr. Jan-Egbert Sturm and, depending on the research topic, Dr. Enea Baselgia.
- Access to world-class research facilities and economic datasets.
- Participation in international seminars, workshops, and conferences.
- Opportunities to collaborate with leading economists and international researchers.
- Supportive and diverse academic environment.
- Coursework within the ETH Zurich D-MTEC doctoral programme.
- Opportunities for limited teaching experience.
Eligible Nationalities
Applications are welcome from:
- Swiss applicants
- International applicants from all countries
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Hold or complete a Master's degree in Economics or a closely related field before the position begins.
- Demonstrate strong academic performance.
- Have an interest in empirical economic research and public policy.
- Possess knowledge of applied macroeconomics, international economics, political economy, or public finance.
- Have a solid background in econometrics, statistics, and quantitative analysis.
- Be familiar with at least one statistical programming language such as Stata, R, or Python.
- Demonstrate excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
- Be willing to work in a collaborative research environment.
- Applicants from quantitative disciplines such as statistics, finance, political science, public policy, or data science are also encouraged to apply if they have sufficient economics training.
- German language skills are welcome but not required.
Research Areas
Potential dissertation topics include:
- International taxation and tax competition
- Multinational profit shifting
- Tax havens and fiscal policy
- Political economy of taxation
- Globalization and macroeconomic outcomes
- Corporate tax regulation
- Economic freedom and political institutions
- Business cycle analysis
- Monetary policy
- Migration
- Corruption
- Economic forecasting
- Panel-data and causal inference methods
- Firm-level and household-level economic analysis
Required Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Letter of motivation explaining research interests
- Curriculum Vitae (without a photograph)
- Writing sample (Master's thesis, research paper, or similar)
- Complete academic transcripts
- Degree certificates and diplomas
- Contact details of two or three academic referees
Application Process
To apply, follow these steps:
- Visit the official ETH Zurich online application portal.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload all required application documents.
- Provide contact information for referees.
- Review the application carefully before submission.
- Submit the application before 30 September 2026.
Note: Applications submitted via email or postal mail will not be accepted.
Why Study at ETH Zurich?
ETH Zurich is consistently ranked among the world's top universities for science, technology, engineering, and economics. The KOF Swiss Economic Institute is internationally recognized for its independent research and policy analysis, offering PhD researchers exceptional opportunities to contribute to influential economic research while building strong academic and professional networks.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the ETH Zurich PhD Positions in Applied Macroeconomics and Political Economy 2026 is 30 September 2026.
Official Call: https://emea2.softfactors.com/job-opening/rgum-1bvIMyoiRO2P5VgfZ8#!/?lang=en
