PhD Position in Political Science at the ETH Zurich University

ETH Zurich University is offering a 36-month PhD position for an early-stage researcher (ESR) in the area of sustainable energy systems. PhD Position in Political Science is available for the academic session 2021-2022.

ETH Zurich University is looking for a doctoral student working on societal acceptance and policy preferences concerning large-scale CCS/CCU deployment.

Summary

Project Description

Within the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 847585.

Job description

In light of the Paris Agreement of 2015, several countries recently committed to reaching carbon neutrality within a few decades, e.g. by 2050 in Switzerland. In addition to ambitious action for emission reduction, achieving this goal will likely require negative emission technologies, such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU).

However, significant hurdles for their deployment remain, and the feasibility of industrial-sized CCS/CCU applications remains contested. From a policy point of view, the economic and political feasibility needs to be considered, given the immense financing needs and acceptance challenges of CCS/CCU.

In collaboration with a larger project on CCS/CCU demonstrators at ETH Zurich, the student will use public opinion surveys, survey embedded experiments, and focus group approaches to examine: (1) public and stakeholder support for/opposition to storing or utilising emissions abroad vs domestically via different types of CCS/CCU to meet Swiss climate policy targets; (2) public and stakeholder preferences over different policy designs (e.g. policy packages combining voluntary and mandatory measures) for incentivising industry and household demand for CO2 abatement via CCS/CCU; (3) policy feedback effects, i.e. how policy interventions to incentivise CCS/CCU deployment may affect public and stakeholder acceptance and thereby stickiness and ratcheting-up potential of support policies.

A planned secondment of 3 months at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ‘s climate policy unit in Paris is part of the project. During this secondment, the doctoral student will discuss her/his preliminary findings with policy stakeholders, using the OECD’s extensive network.

Under the partner’s supervision, the doctoral student will be also be trained in methods for stakeholder consultations and advisory services for policy and hence learn practical skills that complement academic education.

This project’s anticipated outcomes are publications in high-impact academic journals, with significant results for policy advice related to CCS/CCU.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is July 01, 2021 

Further information

RESPONSE Doctoral Programme (DP): «RESPONSE – to society and policy needs through plant, food and energy sciences» is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No 847585.

RESPONSE DP builds on the academic expertise of three world-leading institutions – ETH Zurich, University of Zurich and University of Basel. The successful candidate will be integrated into the research network and infrastructure of the internationally renowned competence centre Energy Science Center.

All RESPONSE ESRs will follow the PSC PhD Program Science and Policy that is unique in its kind. Through the curriculum of this program, ESRs will be trained in the communication of scientific evidence to policymakers and the public, the involvement of different stakeholder groups as well as in policy development and endorsement in Europe and on a global scale.

Eligibility Criteria

We are looking for a candidate conducting a PhD (i.e. a cumulative PhD thesis) as part of the International Political Economy / Environmental Politics group and the Institute for Science, Technology and Policy (ISTP) at ETH Zurich. Relevant disciplinary fields include but are not limited to political science, political economy, sociology, social psychology, environmental sciences. You should be dedicated to scientifically rigorous work that, at the same time, is relevant to policymakers and financial and other stakeholders.

Experience with quantitative social sciences research methods is essential. Knowledge of CCS/CCU technology, climate and energy policies, and relevant practical experience, e.g. in infrastructure finance, plant engineering, or energy policy, is welcome. Your working style is team-oriented, and you have strong communication skills. You are highly proficient in English and German; additional language skills are an additional asset.

Early-stage researcher in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers, including the period of research training, starting at the date of obtaining the degree which would formally entitle them to embark on a doctorate either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the initial training activities are provided

At the time of recruitment (for call 4 = July 1, 2021) by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Switzerland for more than 12 months the three years immediately before the reference date. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

RESPONSE is open to applicants of any nationality.

Benefit

We are offering an exciting position at the interface of science and policy. While working in an international, interdisciplinary and innovative research environment at ETH Zurich, the ESR will be jointly co-supervised by the Profs. Thomas Bernauer (ETH Zurich), Tobias Schmidt (ETH Zurich), Bjarne Steffen (ETH Zurich), and Dr. Brilé Anderson (OECD).

The complete 36 months will be under a 100% working contract. The PhD salary follows the regulations of ETH Zurich and will be according to EU regulations for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Stage Researchers. The monthly gross salary will not be lower than CHF 3920. The successful candidate will be matriculated and will have a working contract at ETH Zurich. He/she will work in Switzerland. The secondment will take place in France.

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

Application Process

For submitting your online application: https://join.lszgs.uzh.ch/ (select PhD Program Science and Policy). The online application should contain all information, as indicated by the application portal. Moreover, the following documents have to be uploaded under “further documents”:

1) a letter of motivation to join a) the RESPONSE doctoral programme and b) to apply for this specific position (ESR 23), 2) a comprehensive tabular CV, 3) transcripts of records. If you apply for more than one RESPONSE position, please refer to them in your letter of motivation.

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered. If you consider applying, we also strongly encourage you to contact us early-on; please do not wait until shortly before the deadline.

For questions and further information on the position, please contact Prof. Thomas Bernauer (thbe0520@ethz.ch) early-on, no applications.

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