Fully Funded PhD Position in Switzerland: AI and the Future of the Welfare State
The University of Lucerne is hiring a fully funded PhD researcher for a four-year ERC project on how artificial intelligence is changing the welfare state. Apply by 15 November 2026. See requirements and how to apply.
What Is This Opportunity?
The University of Lucerne is looking for a PhD Candidate / Doctoral Researcher (100%) to join the ERC-funded project REPAIR: "(Re)distributive Politics after the AI Revolution."
The project is led by Prof. Juliana Chueri and studies how AI is transforming welfare state politics across OECD countries, including:
- How political parties and leaders respond to AI-driven automation
- How welfare and labour market policies are changing
- How public support for welfare reforms is shifting
You'll be based at the Zug Institute for Blockchain Research (ZIBR), part of the University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Important Dates
- Application deadline: 15 November 2026
- Start date: 1 January 2027 (or by agreement)
- Duration: 4 years
Who Can Apply?
- A master's degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, Economics or a related field
- Interest in welfare states, labour markets, social policy, technology governance or political economy
- Quantitative research skills and programming experience in R, Stata or Python (or willingness to learn)
- Excellent English, both written and spoken
- Able to work independently and in an international team
The posting doesn't mention any nationality restrictions.
What You'll Do
- Carry out your own doctoral research on AI, automation and the welfare state
- Help build comparative indicators, surveys and cross-country analyses
- Publish in international peer-reviewed journals (your PhD will be article-based)
- Present at international conferences
- Support workshops, events and project activities
What You Get
- A fully funded, 100% PhD position for four years
- A place in a prestigious ERC-funded research project
- An international research network
- Career mentoring and professional development
- Flexible working and a modern workplace in Switzerland
The salary isn't listed, but the position follows the Canton of Lucerne's employment regulations.
How to Apply
Prepare one PDF that includes:
- A motivation letter (max. 2 pages) explaining your interest in the project and how your research fits
- Your CV
- University transcripts and degree certificates
- A short English summary of your master's thesis
- An English writing sample (such as a thesis chapter or seminar paper)
- Contact details for two academic referees
Submit it through the University of Lucerne's online application portal by 15 November 2026.
Simple Tips
- Read about the REPAIR project and mention specific parts that interest you.
- Show your quantitative skills. Include any work with surveys, data analysis or R/Stata/Python.
- Connect your past research to AI, labour markets or social policy.
- Choose your strongest English writing sample.
- Contact Prof. Chueri with a short, focused question if anything is unclear.
Apply Here
📌 Official job posting: https://www.unilu.ch/universitaet/personal/personaldienst/offene-stellen/phd-candidate-doctoral-researcher-100-2216512/
📌 Questions: juliana.chueri@zibr.ch
Disclaimer: World Opportunities Hub is an independent information platform. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Lucerne. Always confirm details on the official website before applying.
| Organization | University of Lucerne (ERC project REPAIR) | | Region | Lucerne/Zug, Switzerland | | Deadline | 15 November 2026 | | Level | PhD | | Funding | Fully funded 4-year position (100%) |
WorldOpportunitiesHub is an independent information platform. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by University of Lucerne (ERC project REPAIR). Always verify details on the official website before applying.
