PhD Position in Political Science (Political Sociology) at University of Basel University of Basel in Switzerland

The Department of Social Sciences at the University of Basel is offering a four-year PhD position in Political Science, with a focus on Political Sociology, under the supervision of Professor Denise Traber. The position is initially for one year, renewable for up to three additional years following a positive evaluation. The successful candidate will develop and conduct an independent PhD project in the fields of Political Sociology, Political Economy, Political Behavior, or related areas, and will be expected to teach one course per semester in German, as well as contribute to the activities of the Political Science department.

This opportunity is set within a vibrant, bilingual (English and German) research environment, providing dedicated faculty mentorship and the chance to collaborate with a motivated team. The position offers a competitive salary and social benefits in accordance with University of Basel guidelines. The university is committed to diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, race, or physical disabilities.

Applicants must hold a Master's degree in political science or a related discipline and demonstrate skills in quantitative and/or computational methods, with a strong command of R. Didactic competence and enthusiasm for teaching are essential, as is a willingness to collaborate with colleagues and contribute to the academic development of the Political Science group and university self-administration. Proficiency in both German and English is required.

To apply, candidates should prepare a motivation letter, CV, diploma, 1-2 academic references (including name and address), a writing sample (such as a master thesis or seminar thesis), a brief outline of a proposed PhD project (2-3 pages) in one or more relevant fields, and 1-2 suggestions for possible seminars to be taught at the University of Basel (including title and abstract). Applications must be submitted as PDF files using the university's online recruiting tool. The application deadline is January 23, 2026, with job talks and interviews scheduled for February 2026. For further information about the position, salary, or conditions, candidates may contact Prof. Denise Traber at [email protected].

Apply online: Application Link. For general information about the University of Basel, visit www.unibas.ch.