PhD Student in Public Economics / PhD Student in Public Economics

PhD Student Position in Public Economics

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The KOF Swiss Economic Institute at ETH Zurich is the leading institute for applied research in economics in Switzerland. KOF conducts well-founded and independent research on the Swiss and international economy, addressing structural and economic policy issues of social relevance.

Job Description

The PhD position is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) through the project “The Economics of Inheritance and Inter-Vivos Gifts,” led by Dr. Isabel Z. Martínez at ETH and Prof. Marius Brülhart at the University of Lausanne. Associated researchers include Aurélien Eyquem and Enrico Rubolino from HEC Lausanne and CREST Paris.

This project will investigate inheritance flows, inter-vivos gifts, bequest motives, and taxation. You will be involved in all stages of research, from cleaning data to conducting analyses, visualizing results, and drafting the final research paper.

The position is based at the KOF Institute at ETH Zurich. You will be fully integrated into the institutional activities and participate in regular team meetings while collaborating closely with project leaders and team members. The goal is to produce high-quality research leading to academic publications. This position is intended for a duration of four years, with an optimal starting date of September 2026.

Profile

As the ideal candidate for this position, you:

• Are excited about research that aims to solve real-world problems. You have completed your degree with excellent grades and possess the potential to conduct rigorous research while paying attention to detail. You are dedicated to making a positive impact through your work.
• Are proficient in quantitative reasoning. You have strong training in statistics, especially in causal inference, along with a solid command of Stata. You understand the implications of data and have a demonstrated interest in applied econometrics.
• Hold a Master's degree in Economics at the time of appointment, with a keen interest in public economics, inequality, taxation, and labor economics.
• Exhibit excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills. You enjoy collaborating with others, have a compelling writing style in English, and effectively use visualizations to convey statistical insights. Knowledge of German and/or French would be a significant advantage, although not required.

We aim to maintain and expand our diversity and thus encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.

Workplace

You will be part of a dynamic and collaborative environment within ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development but actively contributes to positive societal change.

What We Offer

• Your job with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, with numerous benefits including public transport season tickets, car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by ASVZ, childcare, and attractive pension benefits.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

ETH Zurich fosters an inclusive culture that promotes equality of opportunity, values diversity, and nurtures an environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. We are committed to sustainability and continually work towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

If you are interested in this position, apply online using the form below.

Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Further information about the KOF Swiss Economic Institute can be found on our website. For any questions regarding the position, please reach out to KOF HR Services at hr@kof.ethz.ch (no applications).

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities specializing in science and technology. Renowned for excellence in education, cutting-edge research, and direct knowledge transfer to society, ETH serves as a hub for over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries. Located in the heart of Europe and forging connections globally, we collaborate to develop solutions for today's and tomorrow's global challenges.