Doctoral Student in Development Economics

Opportunity Overview

The Development Economics Group (ETH-DEC) at ETH Zurich invites you to explore a full-time doctoral student position focused on the field of development economics, commencing on 1 March 2026. This is a limited-term engagement of four years.

About Us

Our research group is dedicated to empirical development economics, addressing global inequalities, development financing, public health economics, innovative technologies for poverty alleviation, sustainable resource management, and policymaking informed by evidence. We encourage you to consult our Development Economics Group for insights into our ongoing projects.

Our Team

We are an international collaboration of economists and data scientists committed to analyzing global inequalities and shaping solutions for sustainable development. Our group collaborates with NADEL, fostering education for current and future leaders in global cooperation, and ETH for Development, bridging researchers with practitioners to enhance technical innovations worldwide.

Core Values

We emphasize open dialogue, diversity, and empathy within our team. By welcoming innovative approaches and interdisciplinary research, we actively engage with public service to drive meaningful change.

Role Description

In this role, the chosen candidate will partake in existing research projects at ETH-DEC, focusing on public health and information economics, primarily utilizing secondary data. Key projects include:

• Investigating harmful narratives in local radio broadcasts regarding public health, along with assessing the influence of organizations that provide reliable counter-information in Africa.
• Monitoring various indicators of food insecurity across low- and middle-income nations temporally and spatially.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking a candidate who:

• Holds a Master’s degree in Economics or Statistics and is fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Demonstrates a strong motivation for research in development economics and global public health.
• Possesses a robust background in quantitative methods with experience in analyzing large-scale surveys or administrative datasets.
• Has worked in low- and lower-middle-income countries, familiar with statistical learning methods, and/or can speak French, which would be advantageous but not mandatory.
• Exhibits strong communication skills, enjoys teamwork, and is open to global travel.

Workplace Environment

Joining ETH Zurich means being a part of an institution that fosters not only professional development but also engages in positive societal impacts. We provide numerous benefits, including public transport season tickets, car-sharing options, a variety of sports activities through ASVZ, childcare, and attractive pension plans.

Diversity and Sustainability Commitment

ETH Zurich champions an inclusive culture, promoting equality and diversity in our workplace. We nurture an environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Additionally, sustainability is a guiding principle for us as we strive towards a climate-neutral future.

Join Us in Shaping the Future

If you find this opportunity intriguing, we invite you to consider how you can contribute to impactful research and initiatives aimed at addressing global challenges.