ETH Zurich PhD Scholarship in Climate and Agricultural Economics (2026)
Scholarship Description
The ETH Zurich PhD Scholarship in Climate and Agricultural Economics is a fully funded doctoral position in the Agricultural Economics and Policy Group led by Professor Robert Finger. This 4-year position is funded by the project “Pathways to a Net-Zero Target for Hard-to-Abate Swiss Emissions” (ACHIEVE), which brings together 29 member entities and 27 collaboration partners from research, industry, and the public sector to develop net-zero strategies for Switzerland.
ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) is one of the world's leading universities specialising in science and technology, renowned for excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research, and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find ETH Zurich to be a place that promotes independent thinking and inspires excellence.
The doctoral student will focus on the economic, policy, and behavioural aspects of climate change mitigation in Swiss agriculture, conducting choice experiments with farmers, analysing survey and secondary data, and testing the efficacy of different policy instruments.
Scholarship Location
The position is based at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, one of Europe's leading science and technology universities, located in the heart of Zurich — a vibrant, international city with high quality of life.
Application Deadline
Application Deadline: June 26, 2026
Preferred Start Date: Last quarter of 2026 (October – December 2026)
Duration: 4 years (fully funded, full-time, fixed-term position)
Host Institution
ETH Zurich – the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, consistently ranked among the top universities globally for science, technology, engineering, and economics. The Agricultural Economics and Policy Group is part of ETH Zurich's world-renowned research environment.
Level and Fields of Study
Level: PhD (Doctoral) — the position is scheduled for 4 years of doctoral study and research.
Fields: Agricultural Economics, Environmental Economics, Climate Change Economics, Policy Analysis, Behavioural Economics. The research focuses on the economics and policy of climate change mitigation in Swiss agriculture.
Target Group
Highly motivated candidates with a Master's degree (or close to completion) in Agricultural Economics or a related discipline. The position is open to international applicants, but proficiency (C1 level) in German or French is required due to the need to interact with Swiss farmers and stakeholders. The Agricultural Economics and Policy Group values diversity, inclusion, and sustainability.
Scholarship Duration & Amount
Duration: 4 years (fully funded, full-time, fixed-term position).
Funding includes:
- Competitive salary according to ETH Zurich standards for doctoral students (fully funded position).
- Full social benefits as per Swiss employment regulations.
- Opportunities to take courses at PhD level (18 ECTS required) and for continuous training.
- Highly supportive and personalised mentoring and guidance from Professor Robert Finger and the research group.
- Strong connections with academic partners and stakeholders in the agri-food system.
- Support for career development in academia, industry, or administration.
- A productive, welcoming, and friendly working environment in an interdisciplinary, international, and diverse team.
📊 Summary: 4-year fully funded PhD position at ETH Zurich with competitive salary (according to ETH standards), social benefits, and excellent research environment.
Scholarship Eligibility
Required qualifications:
- Master's degree (or close to completion) in Agricultural Economics or a related discipline.
- Strong analytical and writing skills.
- Ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment.
- Proficiency (C1 level) in German or French is required — as the role involves conducting surveys and choice experiments with Swiss farmers and stakeholders in the German- or French-speaking regions of Switzerland.
Desirable attributes:
- Experience with survey design, choice experiments, or quantitative data analysis.
- Background in environmental economics, climate policy, or agricultural policy.
- Interest in behavioural economics and policy instrument design.
Visa and residency information: International applicants are welcome to apply, but must meet Swiss visa requirements. ETH Zurich supports international researchers with the visa process for successful candidates.
✅ Eligible Candidates
- Holders or near-completion of a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics or related field.
- C1 proficiency in German OR French (mandatory).
- Strong analytical and writing skills.
- Interest in climate change mitigation and agricultural policy.
- Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
❌ Ineligible Candidates
- Applicants without German or French proficiency (C1).
- Those without a Master's degree (or imminent completion) in Agricultural Economics or a related discipline.
- Applicants who cannot work in Switzerland (remote work not possible due to fieldwork requirements).
- Those seeking a purely theoretical position without stakeholder interaction.
Application Procedure
Applications are accepted exclusively through the ETH Zurich online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
- Prepare application documents as a single PDF file containing:
- A cover letter (explaining your motivation and fit for the position)
- Your CV (curriculum vitae)
- Contact details of two referees (please note: reference letters themselves are NOT required at this stage — only contact details)
- Transcripts of academic records (Bachelor's and Master's degrees)
- Submit your application online via the ETH Zurich job portal (link below) before the deadline.
- Deadline: June 26, 2026 (late applications will not be considered).
- Selection process: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
- Start date: Preferred start is in the last quarter of 2026 (October to December).
Important notes:
- Only applications submitted through the online application portal will be considered.
- Do not send reference letters at the application stage — only provide contact details of two referees.
- The position is full-time (100%) and fixed-term for 4 years.
- Questions regarding the position (not applications) can be directed to Nadine Wacha at [email protected].
Official Website & Application Link
ETH Zurich Official Job Posting – Doctoral Student in Agricultural Economics and Policy
Application Portal: Applications accepted exclusively via the ETH Zurich online job portal (accessible through the link above).
Contact for questions (not applications): Nadine Wacha – [email protected]
Research Group Website: Further information about the Agricultural Economics and Policy Group can be found on the ETH Zurich website.
💡 Final Thoughts and Key Requirements
The ETH Zurich PhD Scholarship in Climate and Agricultural Economics is an exceptional opportunity for candidates passionate about using agricultural economics to address climate change challenges. With a competitive salary, world-class research environment, and strong connections to Swiss agricultural stakeholders, this 4-year position offers an ideal launchpad for a career in academia, industry, or policy.
Key requirements and success factors:
- Language proficiency is non-negotiable: You must have C1-level German or French. The research involves direct interaction with Swiss farmers — without this language skill, your application cannot be considered.
- Strong academic background: A Master's degree in Agricultural Economics or a closely related field with excellent grades.
- Research relevance: Your cover letter should clearly articulate your interest in climate change mitigation, agricultural policy, and behavioural economics.
- Application completeness: Submit a single PDF with cover letter, CV, two referee contact details, and academic transcripts — no reference letters needed initially.
- Timely submission: Apply well before the June 26, 2026 deadline. The ETH portal may close precisely at the deadline.
- ETH Zurich values diversity and sustainability: The university actively promotes an inclusive culture and works toward a climate-neutral future.
Important reminder: Applications via email or postal services will not be accepted. You must apply through the official ETH Zurich online application portal. If you have technical questions, refer to the portal's support resources.
ETH Zurich PhD Scholarship 2026 – FAQ
What is the duration of this PhD position?
The position is for 4 years (fully funded, full-time, fixed-term).
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is June 26, 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.
Is German or French proficiency required?
Yes, C1 proficiency in German OR French is required. The research involves surveys and choice experiments with Swiss farmers, requiring direct interaction in the local language.
Do I need to submit reference letters with my application?
No. You only need to provide the contact details of two referees. Reference letters are not required at the application stage.
What documents are required for the application?
A single PDF containing: cover letter, CV, contact details of two referees, and academic transcripts (Bachelor's and Master's).
When does the position start?
The preferred start date is in the last quarter of 2026 (October to December 2026).
What is the salary for this PhD position?
The position offers a competitive salary according to ETH Zurich standards for doctoral students, plus full social benefits. The exact amount is set by ETH Zurich's salary scales.
Can international students apply?
Yes, international students are welcome to apply. However, you must meet Swiss visa requirements, and German or French proficiency (C1) is mandatory.