Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in Economic Development and Rural Finance at University of Zurich University of Zurich in Switzerland

The University of Zurich's Department of Economics is offering a full-time, in-person pre-doctoral fellowship (1-2 years) under the supervision of Prof. Lorenzo Casaburi. The fellowship focuses on economic development and rural finance, with a particular emphasis on research in Sub-Saharan Africa. Research areas include land markets in developing regions, rural finance, agricultural economics, field experiments, administrative database analysis, and causal inference in development economics.

The position is ideal for recent graduates interested in pursuing a PhD or gaining academic research experience in development economics. Fellows will support all stages of research projects, including brainstorming, literature reviews, project management, data analysis, programming, writing, and manuscript preparation. The role involves 70% active research participation and 30% on-the-job learning and training, with mentorship from a leading development economist.

Applicants must have completed a Master's or Bachelor's degree in the last 5 years, with strong grades in economics or a quantitative social science, and a solid mathematics background. Technical skills in Stata, R, or Python are required, along with quantitative analysis abilities and programming proficiency. High motivation, curiosity, perseverance, commitment to research, and analytical thinking are essential. English fluency is mandatory. 1-3 confidential recommendation letters from professors or research supervisors are required. Preferred qualifications include knowledge of causal inference, previous research experience, excellent academic performance, high GRE Quantitative score, completion of MITx MicroMasters courses, and strong project management skills. No prior Swiss work permit is required, and international applicants are welcome.

The fellowship offers participation in funded research projects, but specific stipend or salary details are not provided. The application deadline is January 31, 2026, with review beginning January 20, 2026. To apply, candidates must submit all required documents (CV, cover letter, academic transcripts, copies of degrees, recommendation letters, and answers to application questions) via the University of Zurich's online application form in a single submission.

For more information, visit the University of Zurich job portal or contact the department. This opportunity provides a strong foundation for those interested in development economics, field experiments, and academic research careers.