PhD Student in Sustainable Finance and Climate Risk / PhD Student in Sustainable Finance and Climate Risk

PhD Student in Sustainable Finance and Climate Risk

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

Are you a highly motivated and intellectually curious individual passionate about the intersection of finance, climate change, and corporate strategy? Do you want to contribute cutting-edge research that informs investment decisions and shapes the future of sustainable finance?

The Sustainable Finance Group (SustFin) within the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics at ETH Zurich, is inviting candidates for a fully funded, four-year doctoral position focused on the financial implications of climate risk.

This PhD project, jointly supervised by Assistant Professor Thomas Giroux (Chair of Sustainable Finance, ETH Zurich) and Senior Researcher Chiara Colesanti Senni (Finance department, University of Zurich), offers an outstanding opportunity to engage with urgent, real-world sustainability challenges. By combining rigorous academic inquiry with practical relevance, the project will provide a stimulating research environment at the intersection of finance, climate science, and public policy.

Job Description

This PhD position will contribute to a pioneering research agenda, exploring the multifaceted impacts of climate change on corporate activities and financial markets. The successful candidate will conduct independent research across two interconnected themes:

• Quality of Transition Plans, Asset Pricing and Investment Decisions: Investigate the robustness and credibility of corporate climate transition plans, including their perceived quality in the market and implications for real-world decarbonization. Analyze how various stakeholders (investors, lenders, insurers) integrate this information into their investment and lending decisions, including an asset-pricing analysis.
• Impact of Physical Risk on Companies' Activities: Quantify and assess the financial impacts of physical climate risks on corporate operations and assets. Develop and apply advanced methodologies, including scenario analysis and innovative uses of satellite data, to model companies' exposure and vulnerability to climate-related hazards (e.g., floods, droughts, extreme weather events) and relate it to investment decisions, innovations, and transitions in business models.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with:

• A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Environmental Science, Data Science, Quantitative Social Sciences, or a related field with a strong quantitative component.
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, including proficiency in statistical software (e.g., Python, R).
• Demonstrated interest in climate change, sustainable finance, and corporate sustainability.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Prior experience with large datasets, econometrics, or geospatial analysis is a strong asset.

Workplace

Your day-to-day supervisor will be Assistant Professor Thomas Giroux (Chair of Sustainable Finance, ETH Zurich) and Senior Researcher Chiara Colesanti Senni (Finance department, University of Zurich).

We Offer

We provide a positive research environment in a large, dynamic team at a globally leading academic institution. In our group, you will benefit from frequent interactions with leading researchers from across a vibrant community at ETH Zurich and around the world.

• A stimulating and supportive research environment within a leading institution in sustainable finance.
• Access to extensive datasets and cutting-edge analytical tools.
• Opportunities for international collaboration and participation in top-tier academic conferences.
• Dedicated supervision from leading experts in the field.
• A competitive salary and benefits package for a four-year duration.
• The chance to contribute directly to the evolving landscape of sustainable finance and climate risk management.

This PhD is fully funded and you will be hired as a full-time researcher for the entire duration of the project (2025/2026 to 2028/2029). The starting date is negotiable, but we are aiming to fill this position as soon as possible (late 2025 - early 2026). The annual salary is competitive and adheres to ETH Zurich regulations. The position is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and remote work from outside of Switzerland is not possible due to legal constraints.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity, and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us; we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

Apply online using the form below.

Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For any questions regarding the position, please contact Mrs. Ricarda Wellauer at Tel 044 632 06 50 or email rwellauer@ethz.ch (no applications).

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specializing 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 and forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.