Two PhD Student Positions in the Social Sciences (m/f/d)
Your tasks
Successful candidates will conduct rigorous research in education/economics/sociology within an interdisciplinary research team, contributing to at least two cutting-edge Horizon Europe Social Science projects in Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment) and Horizon Europe Missions Calls (Co-creating solutions for soil health in Living Labs, see (https://sfs.unisg.ch/en/research/horizon-europe-projekte/). PhD candidates will conduct academic research in the context of these Horizon Europe research projects in one of the following thematic area.
- Analysis of agricultural/agroforestry markets, socio-economic data, and the impacts of digital applications and policy strategies;
- Assessing and mitigating inequalities in agroforestry, land degradation and land-use decision-making;
- Awareness raising, stakeholder engagement, training and capacity building, co-design of useroriented (online) training formats and materials for key actors;
- Facilitation of interactive, multi-actor processes and methods for inclusive participatory and social learning.
The final research focus will be defined jointly during the onboarding phase, taking into account the successful candidates' disciplinary backgrounds, interests, and the evolving project needs.
The PhD Assistants are expected to proactively engage in practice-oriented and user-centred project work and contribute to outputs (literature reviews, study design, data collection and analysis, outreach/exploitation activities, peer-reviewed publications, grant proposal writing, etc.), will also assist in administrative and teaching activities and are expected to work in their office in St. Gallen on a regular basis.
Your profile
- Excellent Master's degree in social sciences (e.g., Education, Sociology, Psychology, Agriculture, Economics, Technology/lnnovation Studies, Political Science, or related studies, completed by summer 2025 latest.
- Strong interest in carrying out innovative academic research in the areas outlined. Documented experience is an asset.
- Strong interest in contributing to interdisciplinary research projects in an international and interdisciplinary team (and possibly co-leading project tasks).
- Practical knowledge of how to do qualitative and/or quantitative research.
- High level of commitment and willingness to engage with questions at the interface between research and practice.
- Strong analytical abilities, high level of personal initiative and goal orientation and flexibility.
- Ability to meet deadlines and contribute collaboratively in a dynamic team environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. German language skills are an advantage.
Please apply with a curriculum vitae (including current or expected degrees, research experience, methods skills, project work, publications, teaching experience), a motivation letter describing the reasons for applying for this position in the given discipline(s), including a description of research interests (1-2 pages), a writing sample (e.g., master thesis or a term paper) and the names of two academic referees (who may be contacted before a final hiring decision is made).
For more information, please contact PD Dr. Sabine Hoidn (sabine.hoidn@unisg.ch).
Inspirational Work Environment
Executive Education
Network
Family & Career
Equal Opportunities
Fit and Healthy
Inspirational Work Environment
At the HSG, as Europe's leading business university, we operate in an entrepreneurial environment where you will meet highly qualified, ambitious experts - both regionally and internationally. For example, you benefit from a modern IT infrastructure and, in our library via HSGswisscovery, from nationwide access to the wealth of scientific information available.
Executive Education
We support internal and external executive education opportunities. Our internal executive education programme offers you a practical, dedicated and didactically mature transfer of knowledge in the form of seminars, e-learning, coaching and collegial advice. We support task-specific external training and executive education financially as well as with regard to the time required.
Network
We promote our culture of cross-functional collaboration and create space for forging valuable relationships - also with external partners. Regular exchanges and internal events help to strengthen these relationships and make them long-lasting.
Family & Career
We provide our employees with flexible work time models with a variable number of hours per week. As a family-friendly employer, we offer part-time positions, 16 weeks of maternity leave and a subsidised crèche, as well as support with childcare during the vacations.
Equal Opportunities
The University enables equal opportunities for all employees and students. This applies to degree courses and work, as well as academic careers, university management positions and the reconciliation of studies, work and private commitments. We are committed to this with various measures in the areas of teaching, research, administration and the Presidency.
Fit and Healthy
We help you stay fit and healthy. In addition to our diverse range of sports activities at the university, most of which are free of charge, and campaign weeks for corporate health management, we also offer you fruit in the workplace. In our canteen you will find a wide selection of freshly prepared meals - from vegetarian to fish dishes - at discounted prices.
Further information on working at the HSG can be found here.
For job-related questions
Full Professor (Chair) of Sociology
We welcome motivated candidates who are eager to conduct impactful, theory-informed work within international Horizon Europe projects.
Project Manager Social Sciences
We are looking for curious minds ready to co-create innovative solutions and help shape the social and educational dimensions of transformation in education and agroecological systems.
Your place of work
University of St.Gallen
«A place where knowledge is created» - As one of Europe's leading universities of economics and business administration, the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, is committed to the education of over 9800 students. The HSG is one of the largest employers in the region and provides an attractive and innovative environment for more than 3300 researchers, educators and professional staff.
