PhD Assistant / PhD Assistantess

ASSISTANT/PHD POSITION IN BRITISH OR AMERICAN LITERATURE (100%)

STARTING DATE: 1 AUGUST 2026

The Institute of English Studies at the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, is seeking to hire a full-time Assistant/Doctoral Student for a four-year teaching and research position, with the potential for a fifth year. The selected candidate will be expected to teach between two and four hours per semester and will undertake a dissertation under the supervision of Patrick Vincent.

Profile

Candidates should possess an M.A. degree in English or Comparative Literature or be nearing completion. An excellent record in literary studies and strong writing skills in English are essential. Digital proficiency, along with knowledge of French and/or German, is also highly desirable.

We encourage applications from individuals with a demonstrated research interest in one or more of the following areas, or other related fields:

• The long Romantic period
• William and/or Dorothy Wordsworth
• Lord Byron
• Mary and/or Percy Shelley
• John Ruskin
• H.D. Thoreau
• Nineteenth-century material culture
• Travel literature
• Cultural exchanges between Great Britain, the Continent, and America
• The cultural history of the Alps
• Literature and political theory
• Literature and the environment
• Twentieth-century American poetry

Responsibilities

Half of the doctoral assistants’ workload is dedicated to researching and writing a doctoral thesis. In addition to light administrative duties, assistants are expected to teach one or two sections of our first-year “Literature and Writing Workshop” each semester, focusing on close analysis of texts and composition.

Workplace

The Institute of English Studies at the University of Neuchâtel is a small yet vibrant community of researchers, educators, and students dedicated to the study of English linguistics and literature. We offer B.A. and M.A. level programs in English and collaborate with the Swiss CUSO doctoral school. For more information about the Institute, please visit here.

Neuchâtel is a charming town situated in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, nestled between a picturesque lake and the Jura mountains. For further details about the University and the town of Neuchâtel, click here.

Application Process

To apply for this position, please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

• A cover letter explaining your interest in the position, research interests, and proposed doctoral project.
• A C.V. that includes a contactable academic reference.
• An academic transcript.
• A writing sample (e.g., an academic essay or, if applicable, a published article).

Please submit your application by 1 May 2026.

For any inquiries, please contact Patrick Vincent at patrick.vincent@unine.ch.