Postdoctoral Researcher / Postdoctoral Researcheress in Political Economy of Low-Carbon Technologies

Postdoc Position: Political Economy of Low-Carbon Technologies

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

ETH Zurich's 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 focuses on the political economy of low-carbon technologies (LCTs) and climate policy, employing an interdisciplinary, mixed-method approach grounded in political economy and public policy research. The PET group explores 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 "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.

Specifically, this research investigates the interaction between technology and politics in the context of various LCTs, including solar PV, wind turbines, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and more. These technologies are crucial for meeting global climate change mitigation targets; however, their adoption is often influenced by significant politicization. The project examines the effects of varying levels of LCT politicization on technology adoption, industrial development, policy design, and the socio-technical and political feedback effects.

The project is integrated within ETH Zurich's new Einstein School of Public Policy, providing excellent opportunities for collaboration with leading scholars at ETH Zurich, EPFL, 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, employing various methodologies, including:

• Econometrics, field and survey experiments, and quasi-experimental causal inference methods
• Natural language processing (NLP)
• Comparative case studies

As part of the ERC Starting Grant, the postdoc will have the opportunity to assess:

• The drivers of low-carbon technology (LCT) politicization, utilizing NLP-based analyses of media and parliamentary speeches to develop a new LCT politicization index
• The impacts of LCT politicization on policy and socio-technical change, and its elite and mass political feedback. This includes experimental and mixed-method approaches to study how LCT politicization affects policy design, technology deployment, industry development, and voting behavior across different technologies and institutional contexts.

Embedded in the new ETH Einstein School of Public Policy, the postdoc will also have the opportunity to create policy-relevant insights for decision-makers on managing political risks and opportunities related to different LCTs and climate policies.

Profile

• We are looking for candidates with a PhD (or near 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 NLP and comparative qualitative case studies is advantageous.
• The ideal candidate should have a keen interest in climate policy, low-carbon technologies, and sustainability transitions.
• The candidate should be highly motivated to conduct scientifically rigorous work relevant to both academic audiences and policymakers.
• Fluency in English is required, and experience in interdisciplinary and international collaborations is a plus.

Workplace

The new Political Economy of Technology group at ETH Zurich provides a dynamic and collaborative research environment that fosters 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.
• Participate in advising master's and doctoral students.
• Engage 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 ETH's 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, with centrally located offices. Compensation is internationally competitive, and the position 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
• Support programs and networks, such as mentoring and access to institutional and interdisciplinary networks
• A collaborative team culture, with regular retreats in the Swiss Alps and strong support for high-quality research
• An excellent working environment and employment conditions in an international, research-focused setting
• A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

In alignment with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity, and nurture a working and learning environment that respects the rights and dignity of all our staff and students. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to learn how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to thrive. Sustainability is a core value for us, and we consistently work towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

If interested, please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.