PhD position in Climate Finance and Policy

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

ETH Zurich’s Climate Finance and Policy Group (CFP) together with ETH Zurich’s Energy and Technology Policy Group (EPG) is seeking a PhD candidate in climate finance and policy. We are an interdisciplinary research group investigating options for public policy and for private actors to accelerate investments in new low-carbon technologies, particularly in the energy sector.

Project background

Mitigating dangerous climate change requires a fundamental transition of global economies. This transition calls for an annual investment of 2-4 trillion USD, which is a multiple of current climate investment. Particularly investments in low-carbon infrastructure for energy and transport services must increase more rapidly than they currently do. On an international level, climate finance flows are expected to contribute to global transformation pathways that limit temporary overshoot, rely on deep sectoral transformations, combine climate and nature protection, and are aligned with sustainable development and just transition objectives. Despite past research efforts, to date we lack a clear understanding of specific investment needs in climate-relevant sectors and technologies, the magnitude of existing and committed international climate finance flows, and the effectiveness of climate finance policies to match the supply of and demand for finance.

Job description

In the context of a Horizon Europe project, we are looking for a PhD candidate who will analyze investment needs and international climate finance flows, using quantitative empirical methods. Depending on the student’s interests, various analyses of climate policy effectiveness are conceivable, using existing proprietary as well as newly compiled datasets, and potentially leveraging NLP methods. The project also provides the opportunity to collaborate with leading European integrated assessment modelers, and to employ mixed-method (quant and qual) research designs.

Profile

• We are looking for candidates to conduct a doctorate (i.e., a cumulative PhD thesis)
• Relevant disciplinary fields include, but are not limited to: economics, business administration, industrial engineering, public policy, political science
• Interdisciplinary candidates are welcome
• You should be dedicated to scientifically rigorous work that is also relevant to decision makers in the public and private sectors
• Your working style is team-oriented, and you are proficient in English

Workplace

We offer

• Entrepreneurial research atmosphere within a dynamic team at continental Europe’s leading research university
• Candidates will have the opportunity to contribute to CFP’s and EPG’s research agenda and are encouraged to co-advice master’s students
• As a member of ETH’s Institute of Science, Technology, and Policy (ISTP) and ETH’s Energy Science Center, our group benefits from frequent interactions with leading scholars in other energy- and policy-related fields. Furthermore, we collaborate with other national and international academic and policy institutions (e.g., CMCC, the MIT, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and the World Economic Forum)
• The starting date is negotiable, preferred in Q1 2025. The position is foreseen for three years, and based in Zurich, Switzerland, where our offices are located very centrally
• The salary is in accordance with the Swiss National Science Foundation PhD regulation

We value diversity

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application including

• Letter of motivation
• CV with contact information of two references (no recommendation letters required at this point)
• University diplomas or transcripts, and a sample of your written work (e.g., a bachelor/master thesis, a semester thesis, or a paper)

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

The review of applications will start on 25 November 2024. The position will remain open until it is filled. For further information please contact Prof. Bjarne Steffen (no applications) by email: bjarne.steffen@ gess.ethz.ch

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.