PhD Assistant Position in British or American Literature (100%) University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland

The Institute of English Studies at the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, invites applications for a full-time PhD assistant position in British or American literature. This four-year teaching and research opportunity, with the possibility of a fifth year, offers doctoral candidates the chance to pursue a dissertation under the supervision of Professor Patrick Vincent. The role includes teaching responsibilities (2–4 hours per semester) and light administrative duties, with half the workload dedicated to research and thesis writing.

Applicants should hold or be near completion of an M.A. in English or Comparative Literature, possess an excellent academic record in literary studies, and demonstrate strong English writing skills. Digital skills and knowledge of French and/or German are advantageous. The Institute encourages research interests in the long Romantic period, figures such as William and Dorothy Wordsworth, Lord Byron, Mary and Percy Shelley, John Ruskin, H.D. Thoreau, nineteenth-century material culture, travel literature, cultural exchanges between Great Britain, the Continent, and America, the cultural history of the Alps, literature and political theory, literature and the environment, and twentieth-century American poetry.

The Institute of English Studies is a vibrant academic community offering B.A. and M.A. programs in English and participating in the Swiss CUSO doctoral school. The University of Neuchâtel is located in a scenic town in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, between a lake and the Jura mountains. The starting monthly salary is CHF 5'692.65, and the position is renewed annually based on satisfactory performance and thesis progress.

To apply, candidates must submit a cover letter outlining their interest and research project, a CV with an academic reference, an academic transcript, and a writing sample (such as an academic essay or published article). Applications and questions should be sent to Professor Patrick Vincent ([email protected]) by 1 May 2026. For further information about the Institute and University, visit Institute of English Studies and Why study at UNINE. Direct application is also possible via the application portal.