ETH Zurich has opened applications for a fully funded PhD position in Climate and Agricultural Economics, offering international researchers the opportunity to work on one of Switzerland’s major climate transition initiatives. The position is part of a national research effort focused on net-zero emissions in the agricultural and food systems sector.
The four-year doctoral programme is hosted by the Agricultural Economics and Policy Group under Professor Robert Finger and is linked to the ACHIEVE project, which brings together universities, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to design practical pathways for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Swiss agriculture.
Unlike traditional PhD structures that begin with coursework-heavy phases, this position places the researcher directly into applied policy and field-based research from the start. The doctoral candidate will work closely with farmers and stakeholders, collecting data, conducting surveys and choice experiments, and analysing how climate policies influence agricultural decision-making and emissions reduction.
The role is fully funded and structured as a salaried doctoral employment at ETH Zurich. The selected candidate will receive a competitive salary in line with Swiss university standards, along with social benefits, structured training, mentoring, and access to interdisciplinary research networks. Tuition fees are not required, as the position is embedded within a funded research project.
A key requirement for this position is language proficiency. Applicants must demonstrate C1-level ability in either German or French due to the fieldwork component involving direct interaction with local agricultural communities. This requirement significantly shapes the applicant pool and favours multilingual candidates with regional engagement capacity.
Eligibility is open to candidates with a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics or closely related disciplines. Strong analytical skills, research experience, and the ability to work in interdisciplinary environments are important selection criteria. Applicants nearing completion of their Master’s degree may also apply.
ETH Zurich is consistently ranked among Europe’s leading universities in science, technology, and sustainability research. Its strong links with government and industry partners make this PhD position particularly relevant for students interested in climate policy, environmental economics, and applied sustainability research.
Application process: Applicants must submit a single PDF application through the ETH Zurich recruitment portal, including a CV, cover letter, academic transcripts, and referee contacts.
Application deadline: 26 June 2026
Apply here: https://ethz.ch/en/the-eth-zurich.html
