Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

Presentation

Presentation of the job
Are you interested in why public administrations have to operate in increasingly challenging circumstances? Why they frequently come under pressure from politicians and the media? Are you passionate about improving the functioning of the public sector in this more demanding environment? Do you enjoy engaging in research and want to become part of an international research community? If you answered these questions with “yes”, then this job is for you!
The Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP) at the University of Lausanne invites applications for a position of:

PhD Candidate SNF

The successful candidate will work in the research unit “Public Administration and Political Institutions”, directed by Prof. Dr. Markus Hinterleitner. You will be part of a team with a modern, autonomous working culture. The candidate is expected to conduct research and write a doctoral thesis within the context of the SNSF-funded research project “Public Administration under Pressure”, which starts in September 2025, is scheduled to run for four years, and includes a collaboration with the University of Bern. The project will investigate the various pressures that public administrations face, how they adapt to these challenges, and the implications for their performance.

Job information

Expected start date in position : 01.09.2025

Contract length : 1 year, renewable 2 years + 1 year (maximum 4 years)

Activity rate : 100%

Workplace : Lausanne IDHEAP, partial work from home possible

Salary: see https://www.unil.ch/files/live/sites/unil/files/05-travailler/0503-avantages/Barèmes%202025/Assistant_doctorant_2025.pdf (Assistant doctorant FNS)

Your responsibilities

In your activities, you will have to :

• Completion of a doctoral thesis in the context of the aforementioned research project


• Participation in scientific conferences


• Active support of the research unit’s teaching activities


• Potential participation in mandates for public administrations

Your qualifications

In order to complete our team, we are looking for someone with the following skills : 

• Master’s degree in political science, public administration, or related disciplines


• Basic knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative methods, and willingness to refine and improve your methodological skills


• Passionate about research and willingness to work independently


• Reliable and creative personality


• Very good knowledge of English


• Very good knowledge of French and German is an asset


• Knowledge of the Swiss political and administrative system is an asset

What the position offers you

• Attractive salary and excellent working conditions in a fast-growing institute at the University of Lausanne


• Continuing education opportunities, a multitude of activities and other benefits to discover


• Access to (inter)national training programs and the possibility of research stays abroad

Contact for further information

Prof. Dr. Markus Hinterleitner: E-Mail schreiben

Your application

Deadline : 21.05.2025

Please, send your full application : Please upload a motivation letter, CV, a writing sample (e. g. your master’s thesis or a seminar paper) and an overview of your recent grades in Word or PDF.
Only applications through this website will be taken into account.

We thank you for your understanding.

Additional information

UNIL is committed to:
•    equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
•    ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
•    offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;
•    supporting early career researchers.

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