Junior Researcher in Public Economics and International Taxation / Junior Researcheress in Public Economics and International Taxation

Job Opportunity: Junior Researcher at the Swiss Economic Institute (KOF)

The Swiss Economic Institute (KOF) is seeking a Junior Researcher (Scientific Assistant) to support Dr. Enea Baselgia's SNSF-funded research project titled "Taxation in a Globalized Economy: Profit Shifting, Tax Competition, and the Political Economy of Tax Havens." This position is a 70% appointment on a one-year fixed-term contract, starting November 1, 2026, or by mutual agreement.

You will be employed at the KOF Swiss Economic Institute at ETH Zurich, Switzerland's leading institute for applied research in economics. KOF fosters a vibrant collaborative environment that encourages interaction among research staff at various levels and functions, committing itself to rigorous, applied research on policy-relevant topics related to Switzerland.

In collaboration with esteemed scholars such as Florian Scheuer, Michael Siegenthaler, and Gabriel Zucman, and utilizing exceptionally rich linked Swiss administrative data, this project aims to generate novel causal evidence and insights on multinational profit shifting, corporate tax competition, wealth taxation, and the political economy of tax havens—questions of critical importance for academics and policymakers alike, particularly as international coordination on taxation reaches a pivotal moment.

Your Responsibilities

Your primary tasks will include supporting the preparation and analysis of micro-level data pertinent to the project's research inquiries. Key responsibilities include:

• Preparing and managing linked micro-level datasets (cleaning, merging, quality checks)
• Conducting descriptive analyses of administrative and survey data
• Executing guided empirical analyses utilizing reduced-form causal inference methods
• Preparing presentation slides and other research materials
• Occasionally assisting in the organization of academic workshops

Your Profile

We are looking for an outstanding candidate who is curious, proactive, and eager to produce scientific evidence to enhance tax policy. The ideal applicant will possess the following qualifications:

• Completed master's degree in economics, political science, or another quantitative social science
• Genuine interest in policy-relevant questions related to taxation and public economics
• Reliable, structured, and precise working style
• Strong planning and coordination skills
• Comfortable formulating questions and proactively seeking guidance as needed
• Curious and self-motivated, with a strong sense of ownership over their work
• Solid foundations in causal inference methods (e.g., difference-in-differences, instrumental variables, randomized experiments)
• Proficiency in statistical software packages, such as Stata and/or R
• Prior experience with large-scale data cleaning and management (not required but a plus)
• Fluency in English (knowledge of German is advantageous but not required)
• Excellent writing skills in English (German skills are a plus)
• Strong interest in applied scientific research (an interest in pursuing a PhD at a later stage is a plus but not mandatory)
• Hands-on experience contributing to high-quality academic research and developing your academic skills
• Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative work environment
• Professional supervision by experienced researchers, supporting your career development as an applied economist
• Access to a flexible working environment, including opportunities for flexible working hours and a supportive learning atmosphere

Benefits

You can look forward to numerous advantages, including a range of sports activities organized by the ASVZ and a salary and pension benefits scheme in accordance with ETH regulations.

Application Process

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For further information about the KOF Swiss Economic Institute, please visit our website. If you have questions regarding the position, please direct them to KOF HR Services at hr@kof.ethz.ch (please note that no applications will be accepted via email).