The KOF Swiss Economic Institute at the ETH Zurich is the leading institute for applied research in economics in Switzerland.

The labour market division at KOF Swiss Economic Institute is a research division that monitors, analyses, and evaluates the effects of policies, institutions, and economic forces on jobs, the workforce, and wages, with the aim of establishing quantitative evidence relevant for policy makers and society at large. Core competencies include the analysis of firms' demand for workers, wage setting and wage inequality, discrimination, and immigration. The team uses innovative large datasets and applies rigorous empirical methods to estimate causal effects.

The successful candidate(s) will be part of the PhD programme of the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics of ETH Zurich, and will be a member of the labour market division at KOF.

The successful candidate(s) will conduct academic research within the project “Labor Market Inequality in Modern Labour Markets” funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The project is led by Dr. Michael Siegenthaler and will last four years. Using large-scale register data linked to online employer review and survey data from Switzerland and Germany, the main research objectives of this project are to understand the importance of non-wage work arrangements for workers and firms – and the implications for labour market inequality – in Germany and Switzerland. Non-wage work arrangements, often referred to as amenities, include job benefits such as the option to work from home, company-sponsored childcare facilities, or fringe benefits such as a company car or extended paternity leave.

The optimal starting date for this position is February or March 2025.

Your role is to contribute empirical research to the four work packages of the project. These address the following research questions:

• What non-wage work arrangements do workers value? As job seekers struggle to find employment, do they begin to compromise on the amenities they seek?
• Does considering the incidence and workers' valuation of non-wage work arrangements reduce or exacerbate labour market inequalities between firms, industries, women and men and other groups of workers?
• What are the factors that encourage and discourage firms from providing amenities?
• How does a higher minimum wage affect non-wage work arrangements?

Your empirical analyses combine panel data methods for observational data exploiting quasi-experimental variation with surveys and hypothetical choice experiments among workers and firms.

As the ideal candidate for this position, you

• are excited about research that aims to solve real-world problems. You finished your degree with excellent grades. You are motivated to conduct high-quality research. You care about having a positive impact with your research.
• are excellent at quantitative reasoning. You understand what data can and cannot tell us, can communicate this to others, and know when to use which method. You have a rigorous statistical training in causal inference and data science, experience in working with micro-data, and a strong command of Stata and/or R.
• have, at the time of appointment, completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Political Science, Data Science, or a related quantitative field. You have a strong interest in labour market issues, particularly in relation to pay and inequality in the labour market.
• have excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills. You like to collaborate with others and have a compelling writing style in English. Knowledge of French or German is an asset.

We offer the opportunity to pursue a high-quality PhD at renowned institutions in a dynamic and collaborative research environment. The position also offers the possibility for a research stay at a top university abroad. ETH Zurich has internationally competitive working conditions. The gross salary will be the standard salary rate for PhD students at ETH Zurich (see the salary regulations of ETH Zurich).

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

We look forward to receiving your online application until November 15, 2024, with the following documents:

• Cover letter that includes an explanation why you are interested in doing a PhD in economics and in working on the project sketched above
• Curriculum vitae
• Writing samples in German or English (e.g., Master thesis)
• Complete academic record with undergraduate and graduate courses and grades
• Copies of certificates
• Contact information for 2-3 potential letter writers

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Unless a job offer is rejected, candidates who are invited for an interview will be reimbursed for travel expenses.

Further information about the KOF Swiss Economic Institute can be found on our website. 

Questions regarding the position should be directed to KOF HR Services hr@kof.ethz.ch (no applications).

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.