The University of Lucerne in Switzerland is offering a fully funded four-year PhD position through the ERC-funded REPAIR research project. Candidates with a master’s degree in political science, sociology, economics or related fields can apply by November 15, 2026.
Background & Job Description
The University of Lucerne in Switzerland is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD Candidate / Doctoral Researcher position at the Zug Institute for Blockchain Research (ZIBR).
The four-year research position focuses on Welfare State Transformation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and forms part of the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant project “(Re)distributive Politics after the AI Revolution” (REPAIR), led by Professor Juliana Chueri.
The project investigates how artificial intelligence is transforming labour markets, employment and social protection across OECD countries. Rather than treating technological change as inevitable, the research examines how political institutions, public policies and collective decisions shape the effects of AI on society.
The successful candidate will join a collaborative team of four researchers and contribute to comparative research on political responses to AI-driven labour market changes and public support for different welfare policies.
The position is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027, or by mutual agreement, and is offered at 100% for a fixed term of four years.
PhD Position Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Institution | University of Lucerne |
| Research institute | Zug Institute for Blockchain Research (ZIBR) |
| Position | PhD Candidate / Doctoral Researcher |
| Research topic | Welfare State Transformation in the Age of AI |
| Project | ERC Starting Grant REPAIR |
| Location | Zug, Switzerland |
| Employment level | 100% full-time |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Expected start date | January 1, 2027, or by mutual agreement |
| Funding | Fully funded position |
| Salary | Not specified in the supplied announcement |
| Application deadline | November 15, 2026 |
| Application format | All documents combined into a single PDF |
| Official application | Apply through the University of Lucerne |
Tasks
The selected doctoral researcher will conduct research and contribute to the wider objectives of the REPAIR project.
Doctoral Research: Conduct independent research on welfare state transformation, labour market regulation and the effects of AI-driven automation.
Comparative Policy Analysis: Investigate how political actors in OECD countries understand the challenges and opportunities associated with AI and propose policy responses.
Research on Public Opinion: Examine the extent to which citizens support welfare policies and institutional reforms designed to address labour market disruption caused by AI.
Research Infrastructure: Contribute to comparative indicators, surveys and cross-national analyses supporting the project’s objectives.
Academic Publications: Publish research findings in peer-reviewed international journals as part of a cumulative doctoral dissertation.
Research Coordination: Support the principal investigator with research activities, grant management and the organisation of academic workshops and conferences.
Academic Networking: Present findings at international conferences and participate in the project’s international research network.
The position provides an opportunity to develop expertise in the political economy of artificial intelligence, social protection and labour market policy.
Qualifications (Education and Certification, Experience)
Academic Requirements
Applicants must hold a completed master’s degree or equivalent qualification in one of the following fields or a closely related discipline:
- Political Science.
- Public Administration.
- Sociology.
- Economics.
- A related academic discipline.
Candidates should have a strong interest in welfare state institutions, labour market regulation, social policy, technology governance or political economy.
Research and Technical Skills
Applicants should demonstrate knowledge of quantitative research methods and experience using programming languages such as R, Stata or Python.
Candidates who do not yet possess all the required technical skills may still be considered if they demonstrate the willingness and ability to acquire them.
Relevant interests include comparative political research, surveys, data analysis, welfare policy and the social consequences of artificial intelligence.
Language Requirements
Applicants must have an excellent command of written and spoken English.
Personal Competencies
The University of Lucerne is looking for candidates who can work independently while contributing effectively to an international research team.
Strong communication skills, self-organisation, a proactive attitude and the ability to collaborate with researchers are important for the position.
Additional Information
Funding and Employment Conditions
The vacancy describes the doctoral research position as fully funded for four years at 100% employment.
Employment conditions follow the personnel regulations of the Canton of Lucerne. The announcement does not specify an exact salary figure, so applicants should consult the official vacancy or contact the principal investigator for further information.
Research Environment
The successful candidate will join the Zug Institute for Blockchain Research, a research institute at the University of Lucerne examining the social, political, legal and economic consequences of emerging technologies.
The institute brings together researchers from different social science disciplines and explores technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and quantum computing beyond their technical dimensions.
Through the ERC-funded REPAIR project, the doctoral researcher will contribute to an international research agenda examining how political choices and institutions influence the future of welfare systems.
Application Documents
Applicants must prepare the following documents:
- Motivation letter: Maximum two pages, explaining your profile, interest in the position and REPAIR project, and how your research interests connect to its themes.
- Curriculum vitae: Include education, professional experience, publications and other relevant activities.
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates: Copies of university records and qualifications.
- Master’s thesis abstract: An abstract or short description of the master’s thesis in English.
- Writing sample: An English-language seminar paper, thesis extract or academic publication.
- Two academic references: Contact details for two academic referees.
How to Apply
Step 1: Review the official vacancy.
Visit the University of Lucerne’s PhD recruitment page and read the full position details.
Step 2: Prepare your application documents.
Ensure that your motivation letter addresses the REPAIR project’s themes and explains how your research interests relate to AI, welfare policy or labour market transformation.
Step 3: Combine the documents into one PDF.
The university requires the application dossier to be submitted as a single PDF file.
Step 4: Submit before the deadline.
Submit the complete application by November 15, 2026, following the official application instructions.
For further information, applicants can contact Professor Juliana Chueri at juliana.chueri@zibr.ch.
Apply for the University of Lucerne PhD Position
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the University of Lucerne PhD position about?
The position examines how artificial intelligence is transforming welfare state policies, labour markets, employment and social protection across OECD countries.
2. Is the PhD position fully funded?
Yes. The vacancy describes it as a fully funded position at 100% for four years. The exact salary amount is not provided in the supplied announcement.
3. Where is the position based?
The research position is at the Zug Institute for Blockchain Research at the University of Lucerne in Switzerland.
4. What is the application deadline?
The deadline is November 15, 2026.
5. When does the position begin?
The expected starting date is January 1, 2027, or another date agreed upon with the university.
6. Which qualifications are required?
Applicants need a completed master’s degree or equivalent in political science, public administration, sociology, economics or a closely related field.
7. Is programming experience necessary?
Knowledge of quantitative methods and experience with R, Stata or Python are expected. The announcement also allows for candidates who demonstrate the willingness and ability to acquire these skills.
8. Is English proficiency required?
Yes. Applicants must have an excellent command of written and spoken English.
9. What documents must be submitted?
Applicants must provide a motivation letter of up to two pages, CV, academic transcripts and degree certificates, an English abstract of their master’s thesis, an English writing sample and contact details for two academic references.
10. How should applications be submitted?
The full application dossier must be combined into one PDF and submitted according to the instructions on the official University of Lucerne vacancy page.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This University of Lucerne PhD position may be particularly relevant to graduates interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence, political economy, labour markets and social policy.
The four-year appointment offers a structured doctoral research opportunity within an ERC-funded international project, with scope to conduct comparative research, publish academic work and participate in international conferences.
Applicants with a relevant master’s degree, strong English skills and an interest in quantitative research should review the requirements and prepare a focused motivation letter. The application deadline is November 15, 2026.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares external academic and career opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with the University of Lucerne, ZIBR or the European Research Council and does not participate in recruitment decisions. Applicants should verify the funding arrangements, employment conditions, eligibility requirements and application instructions through the official university website.
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