PhD Positions in Applied Macroeconomics, Public Finance, and Political Economy at ETH Zurich ETH Zurich in Switzerland

PhD opportunity in Applied Macroeconomics, Public Finance, and Political Economy at ETH Zurich. The Chair of Applied Macroeconomics at the KOF Swiss Economic Institute is inviting applications for one or more PhD positions based at ETH Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland.

The positions are especially suitable for candidates interested in international taxation, tax competition, tax havens, multinational profit shifting, and the macroeconomic and distributional consequences of international tax rules. Broader dissertation topics may also cover applied macroeconomics, political economy, international economics, public finance, fiscal federalism, business cycles, forecasting, monetary policy, migration, corruption, and policy-relevant empirical research.

The doctoral researchers will work in a collaborative environment at KOF, Switzerland’s leading academic institute for applied economic research, and will be affiliated with the Chair of Applied Macroeconomics. The dissertation topic will be developed jointly with the supervisory team, allowing the project to align with the applicant’s interests and experience.

Supervision: Prof. Dr. Jan-Egbert Sturm and, depending on the topic, Dr. Enea Baselgia.

Funding: Fully funded PhD position with internationally competitive employment conditions. The appointment is initially for 18 months and may be extended for the normal four- to five-year doctorate, subject to satisfactory progress. Salary follows ETH Zurich regulations.

Eligibility: A Master’s degree in Economics or a closely related field is expected by the start date. Applicants with quantitative backgrounds in statistics, data science, political science, public policy, or finance are also welcome if they have sufficient economics training. Strong econometrics, statistics, quantitative analysis, programming skills (Stata, R, or Python), and good English communication skills are required. German is welcome but not required.

How to apply: Submit the application through ETH Zurich’s online portal only. Include a motivation letter, CV without photo, writing sample, academic record, diplomas/certificates, and contact details for two or three referees. Applications must be submitted by 30 September 2026.