Postdoc Position: Political Economy of Low-Carbon Technologies
100%, Zurich, Fixed-Term
The new Political Economy of Technology (PET) group at the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, led by Prof. Dr. Lukas Fesenfeld, is seeking a postdoc to join its research team. This team is dedicated to studying the political economy of low-carbon technologies (LCTs) and climate policy. The PET group adopts an interdisciplinary, mixed-method approach grounded in political economy and public policy research to explore the political, economic, and social dimensions of technological change, particularly at the intersection of technology, politics, and policy.
Project Background
This position is part of the ERC Starting Grant project titled The Politicization of Low-Carbon Technologies (PolTech), funded by the European Research Council. The PolTech project aims to explore the drivers and impacts of technology politicization, particularly focusing on various LCTs such as solar PV, wind turbines, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and more. These LCTs are essential for achieving global climate change mitigation targets; however, their adoption is often influenced by intense politicization. The project investigates how different levels of LCT politicization affect technology adoption, industrial development, policy design, and its socio-technical and political feedback effects.
The project is embedded within ETH Zurich's new Einstein School of Public Policy, providing excellent opportunities for collaboration with leading scholars across EPFL, the Technical University of Munich, Stanford University, and others, as well as policymakers in Switzerland, the EU, and other OECD countries.
Job Description
- The postdoc will have the opportunity to develop an innovative research agenda in the field of political economy, climate policy, and technology politics, using methods such as:
- Econometrics, field and survey experiments, and quasi-experimental causal inference methods.
- NLP (Natural Language Processing).
- Comparative case studies.
- As part of the ERC Starting Grant, the postdoc will assess:
- The drivers of low-carbon technology (LCT) politicization, using NLP-based analyses of media and parliamentary speeches to create a new LCT politicization index.
- The impacts of LCT politicization on policy and socio-technical change, and its political feedback, employing experimental and mixed-method approaches to study how LCT politicization affects policy design, technology deployment, industry development, and voting behaviors across various contexts.
- Embedded in the ETH Einstein School of Public Policy, the postdoc will create policy-relevant insights for decision-makers on managing political risks and opportunities related to LCTs and climate policies.
Postdoctoral researchers at ETH Zurich are employed on a full-time basis (100%). Part-time employment may only be considered in exceptional circumstances, such as childcare or family responsibilities, or in combination with other projects or professional commitments.
Profile
- We are looking for candidates with a PhD (or nearing completion) in political science, public policy, political economy, economics, sociology, computational social sciences, or a related field.
- Strong knowledge of advanced quantitative methods is essential (e.g., econometrics, causal inference methods such as experiments and quasi-experiments).
- Experience with natural language processing (NLP) and comparative qualitative case studies is an advantage.
- The ideal candidate should have a keen interest in climate policy, low-carbon technologies, and sustainability transitions.
- Highly motivated candidates with a desire to conduct scientifically rigorous work relevant to both academic audiences and policymakers are preferred.
- Fluency in English is required, and experience in interdisciplinary and international collaborations is a plus.
Workplace Environment
The new Political Economy of Technology group at ETH Zurich provides a dynamic and collaborative research environment with ample opportunities for academic growth.
We Offer
- The postdoc will have the opportunity to:
- Develop and contribute to a novel research agenda.
- Lead and collaborate on publications in high-impact political science and interdisciplinary journals.
- Advise master's and doctoral students.
- Participate in international conferences.
- The postdoc will benefit from ETH Zurich’s strong interdisciplinary and global network, including:
- The Albert Einstein School of Public Policy.
- The ETH Energy Science Center and World Food System Center.
- The Center for Comparative and International Studies, a joint initiative between ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich.
- Start date: negotiable, with a preferred start in Q2 2026.
- The position is initially for three years, based in Zurich, Switzerland.
- The salary is internationally competitive and offers excellent career development opportunities, including:
- Training opportunities (e.g., transferable skills, methods training, teaching support).
- Perspectives for career development, including support for academic profiling and grant applications.
- Access to mentoring and institutional and interdisciplinary networks.
- A collaborative team culture with regular exchanges, including retreats in the Swiss Alps.
- An excellent working environment in an international, research-focused setting.
- A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
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 where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Sustainability is a core value, and we are consistently working toward a climate-neutral future.
Apply Online
If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
About ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities specializing in science and technology, renowned for excellent education, cutting-edge research, and direct knowledge transfer into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries contribute to an environment fostering independent thinking and excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, we collaborate globally to address today's and tomorrow's challenges.