Phd candidate
On-Site
47000 - 51000 CHF
Each position is fully funded for 5 years. Admitted students have the opportunity to be employed by the university as TAs or RAs. The annual salary is around CHF 50,000 plus 12% in social contributions and full tuition waivers.
OPEN
The University of Lugano invites applications for full-time PhD positions in all fields of economics. Applications received by January 15, 2025 will be given priority. The starting date is July 1, 2025, but later dates are possible, too.
Our PhD students focus on completing PhD courses and their doctoral research. The working environment is very attractive, including compensation and infrastructure. Each position is fully funded for 5 years. Admitted students have the opportunity to be employed by the university as TAs or RAs. The annual salary is around CHF 50,000 plus 12% in social contributions and full tuition waivers. To participate in and contribute to the active research culture of the institute, employed students are expected to work as much as possible on site in Lugano.
We especially welcome applications of women and minority students. Candidates with a general interest in quantitative empirical research will be given a strong preference. Applicants must complete the online application form.
The Doctoral School in Economics at the University of Lugano
In advancing to the PhD degree, students pass through two major stages: course work and the completion of a dissertation.
Year 1 is devoted to developing a strong foundation in the basic tools of economics, including full-year courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics (core courses) offered by the Study Center Gerzensee of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) though its Swiss Program for Beginning Doctoral Students in Economics. Successful candidates will devote most of their time in year 1 to this program.
Year 2 is devoted to deepening courses to bring successful candidates to the research frontier of their field(s) of interest and to developing the dissertation topic. Starting from year 2, in addition to doctoral work, successful candidates will provide part-time assistance in the institute’s research projects and/or teaching activities. At the end of year 2, students present a proposal of their dissertation project in an oral exam.
Years 3 to 5 are devoted to completing the dissertation, which consists of at least three original research papers. Successful candidates will present their research progress regularly to their supervisor(s) and in informal seminars to the rest of the faculty and doctoral students, who will provide constructive feedback that will improve the research.
Application
Applicants must complete the online application form and email all application files as one compressed zip folder to idep@usi.ch. The online application form asks you for the name and email address of two academic references that could be contacted for more information. Please name the zip folder LastName_FirstName (Example: Smith_Adam.zip).
1. A complete CV, including your email address, date of birth, and any programing skills and other relevant information that might be important for us.
2. A transcript of your university education (bachelor’s and master’s degrees or equivalent), including the grade point average (GPA) and the courses taken.
3. A tentative research proposal on a topic you would be interested in working on (max. 4 pages long, not including the bibliography).
4. Your GRE certificate with the test score (optional, but highly recommended).
5. Your master’s thesis (if available).
Ideal candidates have, or are upon completion of, a master's degree in economics, econometrics, or a related field such as computer science or mathematics, have a general interest in quantitative empirical research, and have already completed the GRE.
Owing to the large number of applications received, only those applicants whose profiles are likely to fit the positions will be notified for further details and eventual interviews. Qualified applicants will be interviewed in January and February.
Via Giuseppe Buffi 13
6900 Lugano , Switzerland