EconJobMarket®

Pre-Doctoral Program – Global Talent Common Application

Department of Economics, University of Zurich, Switzerland

The Department of Economics at the University of Zurich invites applications for pre-doc positions (1-2 years) for qualified applicants from low- and middle-income countries and/or with a refugee background (see below for details).

There are two application paths. Applicants should pursue both, they are not mutually exclusive.

• Common Application: First, qualified applicants from eligible backgrounds can apply through this common application process. This process will lead to a pool of finalists, from which professors can choose to hire pre-docs. This job posting refers to this path.
• Individual Postings: Second, many professors separately post job opportunities for their own pre-doc positions. These positions are open to all applicants, regardless of their origin or background. It is strongly recommended that interested candidates also apply directly through those postings.

What is the pre-doctoral research fellow’s role?

Pre-doctoral fellows work with a professor of the economics department to support their research, with substantive opportunities for on-the-job learning about academic research in economics. Pre-docs may be involved in all stages of research – brainstorming, literature reviews, project management, data analysis, and writing. The predoctoral position is a full-time in-person commitment (70% research, 30% on-the-job-learning).

The research fellow will become part of a vibrant community of predoctoral fellows at the department and of the wider research community at UZH. Predocs receive hands-on mentoring throughout. Previous pre-docs have worked, among others, with Professors Sandro Ambühl, Lorenzo Casaburi, Ana Costa-Ramon, David Dorn, Thomas Graeber, David Hémous, Mathias Hoffmann, Ronak Jain, Dina Pomeranz, Hans-Joachim Voth, David Yanagizawa-Drott and Ulf Zölitz.

Qualifications

The pre-doctoral positions are ideal for recent graduates who are interested in potentially going on to do a PhD in economics or a related field. We are looking for highly motivated candidates with strong quantitative, programming and analytical skills, and an interest in economic research. We particularly value curiosity, perseverance, and a demonstrated commitment to research and learning.

Specific requirements:

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree (in the last 5 years) with strong grades in economics or another quantitative social science field, including strong math skills;
• Strong knowledge of STATA, R or Python; familiarity with other statistical software or programming languages is a plus;
• Fluency in written and spoken English;
• Recommendation letter from 1-3 letter writers who are familiar with academic research (professor, research supervisor, or similar).

The following qualifications are not required, but represent a plus:

• Knowledge of causal inference research methods;
• Previous experience in research, e.g. as a research assistant or a research manager;
• Top of the class, high GRE Quant score, completed MITx MicroMasters courses;
• Proven ability to handle several different projects/tasks at one time, successfully complete tasks assigned, and meet deadlines

Eligibility

This common application is open to applicants who meet any of the following criteria

• Having grown up in a low- or lower-middle income country (based on this World Bank classification).
• Having grown up in an upper-middle income country and being a first-generation university student (i.e. parents did not go to university)
• Refugee/asylum/forced migration background (having experienced flight or having had a residence status of stateless, asylum seeker, humanitarian visas, or similar).

To confirm your eligibility, please refer to the Application Checklist.

No prior work permit for Switzerland is required.

How to Apply

Please apply online here: https://www.facultyhiring.oec.uzh.ch/position/53411840. Look for “Pre-Doctoral Program – Global Talent Common Application”.

Please note that in order to submit your application through the application form, you’ll need to answer all questions and upload all documents in one go (no intermediate saving possible). Thus, please look at this Application Checklist and prepare your documents and responses in advance so that they can be copy-pasted into the application form.

For any inquiry, please contact predoc@econ.uzh.ch

Country: Switzerland

Education: Bachelor's, Master’s

Start Date (Earliest): 1. March 2026

Start Date (Latest): 1. February 2027

Length of Commitment: One or two years

Language Requirement: English

Application Deadline: Rolling applications with evaluation in batches. The next deadline is January 31, 2026.

Deadline for recommendation letters: February 7, 2026.

To apply, visit https://www.facultyhiring.oec.uzh.ch/position/53411840. (See posting for details.)

UCLouvain invites applications for a full-time PhD position in Economics at the Louvain Institute of Data Analysis and Modeling in Economics and Statistics (LIDAM), CORE, in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

Research project

The project, Design of auction-based support schemes for renewable energy in Europe, studies renewable energy auctions using auction theory and industrial organization. The exact orientation is flexible, and the candidate will develop their doctoral research project during the first year. Possible directions include:

1. De-risking green investment: how public support affects private insurance, technology choices and incentives to control costs.
2. Multi-technology auctions: how auctions can balance competition, technology portfolios, systemic risk and European strategic autonomy.
3. Local content requirements: how non-price award criteria affect competition and strategic trade.
4. Pre-qualification requirements and completion bonds: how these instruments affect project abandonment, innovation and competition.

Research environment

The successful candidate will join the LIDAM Energy Group at CORE. The position is based in Louvain-la-Neuve and starts in autumn 2026, no later than January 2027.

Requirements

Applicants should have:

• a two-year research master's degree (120 ECTS) in Economics, obtained with distinction; or a master's degree in another field complemented by at least one year of graduate-level courses in economics;
• solid graduate-level training in microeconomic theory, including industrial organization, and game theory; and
• proficiency in English.

Funding eligibility condition: under UCLouvain's doctoral-scholarship regulation, the scholarship holder may not have reached the age of 30 at the start of the first grant period. The limit is raised by one year for each maternity, paternity or adoption before the start of the doctorate, and exceptions may be approved by the rector.

Conditions

The FSR doctoral scholarship initially covers 24 months, with a possible 24-month extension subject to the funding conditions and satisfactory progress. It currently provides about EUR 2,400 net per month and is exempt from income tax.

Application

Applications must be submitted in English as a single PDF file containing:

• a one-page statement of intent outlining the proposed research and showing how the applicant meets the required qualifications;
• a curriculum vitae;
• Bachelor's and Master's transcripts and available degree certificates;
• one writing sample, such as a Master's thesis or research paper;
• available language certificates and standardized test scores; and
• the names and contact details of at least two academic referees.

The application deadline is 21 September 2026.

Questions about the position may be sent to Bert Willems at bert.willems@uclouvain.be.

To apply, visit https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/Nbx4HmviLp. (See posting for details.)

The International Centre for War Crimes Trials (ICWC), Marburg University, DFG Research Training Group (RTG) 3159 “Gender and Gendering in Contexts of International Criminal Law”, is currently accepting applications for ten

Doctoral Researchers/PhD

The positions are offered for a period of 4 years, until 31 January 2031. The starting date is 1 February 2027. The position is part-time (75% of regular working hours) with salary and benefits commensurate with a public service position in the state of Hesse, Germany (TV-H E 13, 75%).

The RTG explores the multifaceted interactions between conceptions of gender and international criminal law from an interdisciplinary perspective. It is focused on the question of how gender and gendering shape international criminal law, as well as its legal, institutional, and societal conditions of application, function, and impact. The RTG's doctoral researchers are offered a unique opportunity to write their dissertation in an inspiring, interdisciplinary, and international environment and to develop their own independent research profile.

Tasks:

• Realization of a doctoral degree on a topic within the RTG's research program
• Research assistance in the research program of the RTG
• Active on-site participation in the RTG's activities (mandatory attendance at the RTG's core program)

The position is limited to a time period deemed adequate for the completion of a doctoral degree. As part of the assigned duties, there will be ample opportunity to conduct the independent scientific research necessary for the completion of a doctorate. The limitation complies to Section 2(1) of the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG).

Profile:

• Above-average completed university degree (Master, state exam or equivalent) in a discipline relevant to the RTG, in particular peace and conflict studies, gender studies, history, modern German literature, political science, law, sociology, theology or economics
• Prior knowledge of the RTG's core research area, in particular international (criminal) law, transitional justice, and/or gender studies, is advantageous
• English language proficiency at least at C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
• German language skills, or willingness to learn German, would be an asset
• Team spirit, strong commitment to academic excellence and interdisciplinary cooperation

Disposition to own scientific qualification is expected.

We offer:

• A doctorate in an inspiring, international, and interdisciplinary environment
• Structured doctoral supervision through an individually composed Thesis Advisory Committee
• An individual qualification and supervision program tailored to you and your doctoral project
• A collegial, family-friendly, and LGBTIQ+-inclusive research environment
• Qualification, advice, and support through the Marburg University Research Academy, the International Office, the Family Service, and the offices for Higher Education Didactics of the University of Marburg

Application documents (German or English):

• Outline of the planned doctoral project (max. 10 pages including work and time schedule and bibliography) based on an innovative research question in line with the RTG's topic and research program and suitable for interdisciplinary collaboration
• Writing sample (max. 25 pages, for instance, table of contents and chapters from Master's thesis, seminar or research paper, article, blog entry)
• Letter of motivation
• Certificates of qualification, CV, and, if applicable, evidence of academic activities
• Transcript of records
• Proof of language proficiency (at least English C1)
• One academic letter of recommendation OR first examiner's report of the Master's thesis

To apply, visit https://stellenangebote.uni-marburg.de/jobposting/f37343375cb05fd5e8609989f887e9dace0b27be0. (See posting for details.)

Research Assistant Position in Dynamic Microsimulation

Research Assistant to work on dynamic microsimulation. Initial contract of 6 months, extendable, with the possibility of applying to a PhD program (potentially through an Industrial Doctorate).

This position will be developed within the framework of SUSTAINWELL project, and continue in the LIFe project. Both projects focus on the impact of population ageing on private and public intergenerational transfers and the sustainability of the welfare state.

Initial salary: €1,258.43 per month, 30 hours per week, with the possibility of increasing the salary and workload depending on performance.

Tasks include: data processing, cleaning, and analysis; literature reviews and the preparation and synthesis of research reports; and collaboration within a committed research team.

Profile: Master’s degree in Economics. Strong background in Economic Analysis, including Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Microeconometrics, Macroeconometrics, and Public Economics. Programming skills and experience in the use of AI are valued.

Application Process

Apply at: https://extractes.fbg.ub.edu/extractes/frameofertes.jsp

Additionally, please send an e-mail to: aalsinak@ub.edu

Only applications that include all the information listed below will be considered.

Subject: “Dynamic Microsimulation of Intergenerational Transfers”

E-mail text: Include the average grade obtained in both the Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

Attachments:

• Bachelor’s and Master’s transcripts.
• Motivation letter (maximum 500 words, PDF format) indicating:
• Past experience (including experience with dynamic microsimulation and the use of AI tools);
• Interest in the research areas covered by the project;
• Interest in pursuing either a standard PhD or an Industrial Doctorate;
• Why you would be an excellent candidate;
• What you expect to enjoy most and least about the position.

To apply, visit https://extractes.fbg.ub.edu/extractes/frameofertes.jsp. (See posting for details.)

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability invites applications for a pre-doc in Global Sustainability and Applied Economics, beginning in Fall 2026. The pre-doc will be part of Economics for Sustainability and Energy Transition (eSET) lab at Stanford, working with Shanjun Li, Valerie Karplus (CMU), and other researchers on topics related to industrial decarbonization pathways, carbon accounting, renewable energy development, and transportation electrification.

The position is initially for one year, offering a competitive annual salary and benefits package, with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance in the first year.

Applicants should hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics, environmental engineering or a related field by the time of hire. Research experience with supply chain, carbon markets, and econometric analysis using large data sets would be highly valuable. The pre-doc is expected to support eSET lab programs, and participate in activities at both the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.

Applicants should submit a one-page letter of application, CV, transcripts, and two reference letters on Econjobmarket.org. Reviews and interviews will be done on a rolling basis with an application deadline of August 8, 2026.