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 assistant/doctoral student position in British or American literature. This four-year teaching and research opportunity, with the possibility of a fifth year, offers a vibrant academic environment for candidates interested in literary studies. The successful applicant will teach between two and four hours per semester and pursue a doctoral dissertation under the supervision of Professor Patrick Vincent.

Applicants should have completed or be near completion of an M.A. degree in English or Comparative Literature. A strong academic record in literary studies and excellent English writing skills are essential. Digital skills and knowledge of French and/or German are advantageous. The Institute encourages research interests in areas such as the long Romantic period, 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.

Half of the doctoral assistant’s workload is dedicated to researching and writing a thesis. Additional responsibilities include light administrative duties and teaching one or two sections of the first-year “Literature and Writing Workshop” each semester, focusing on close analysis of texts and composition. The position is renewed annually based on satisfactory progress and fulfillment of duties.

The starting monthly salary is CHF 5'692.65. The Institute of English Studies is a close-knit community of researchers, teachers, and students, offering B.A. and M.A. programs and participating in the Swiss CUSO doctoral school. Neuchâtel is a picturesque town in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, located between a lake and the Jura mountains.

To apply, submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the position and research interests, 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. The direct application link is here.