Doctoral Position at the Center for Cognitive and Decision Sciences University of Basel in Switzerland

The University of Basel, Switzerland's oldest university, invites applications for a doctoral position at the Center for Cognitive and Decision Sciences within its Faculty of Psychology. The Center is internationally recognized for research on how individuals and society understand, evaluate, and manage risks, especially in the context of novel technologies. The doctoral project will focus on risk and benefit perceptions, public discourse, and science communication regarding technologies such as genetic modification, nuclear power, and artificial intelligence.

As a doctoral student, you will analyze public and media discourse as key components of democratic decision-making, identify how different audiences mentally represent risks and benefits, and test which communication formats are most effective for informing diverse publics. The research will employ cognitive science and computational social science methods, including natural language processing, network science, large-scale surveys, and behavioral experiments.

The position offers structured doctoral training within the Society & Choice doctoral program at the Faculty of Psychology. You will join a highly interdisciplinary, supportive, and collaborative work environment in Basel, a city at the crossroads of Switzerland, France, and Germany, known for its vibrant international community and cultural activities. The University of Basel provides competitive salary, flexible working hours, and terms of employment in accordance with university guidelines. The institution is committed to diversity and equal opportunity, strongly encouraging applications from women.

Applicants should hold an MSc in Psychology or a related field, demonstrate experience with or a strong interest in computational methods and programming for data analysis, possess excellent written and oral language skills in both English and German, and have an interest in public opinion, risk perception, and science communication. Applications must be submitted via the University of Basel online portal and should include a CV and a single PDF containing a research statement, MSc thesis or publication(s), and contact information for references. Review of applications begins on 24 June 2026, with interviews scheduled for 1–3 July, but applications will be considered until the position is filled. For further information, contact Dr Samuel Aeschbach at [email protected] using “PhD vacancy” as the email subject.