The University of Lucerne is a modern, personal and dynamic human sciences university at the heart of Switzerland and Europe. In keeping with our guiding principle 'Moving Human Sciences', we focus on people and their institutions with our six faculties, two academies and two university research centres. Our aim is to develop the University of Lucerne into a pioneering, internationally visible centre for research and teaching in the human sciences.
The Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine promotes research and teaching in the fields of health, medicine, functional capacity and rehabilitation. Our mission is to improve health and well-being for all by creating a diverse, inclusive environment for innovative research, education and services.
As of 1 September 2025 or by agreement, we are advertising for
2 fully funded PhD positions in Health Economics (100%)
(SNSF project: “The impact of physician gender on medical decisions and healthcare costs”)
The project is co-led by Samuel Lordemus, PhD, Postdoc and Lukas Kauer, PhD, Senior Lecturer and Researcher. It aims to investigate whether gender-related differences in physicians' clinical decision-making contribute to regional variations in healthcare costs across Switzerland. While the project has a strong focus on economics and econometrics, the research team includes experts from multiple disciplines including health economics, public health, epidemiology, clinical practice and health system research, and successful candidates are expected to actively contribute to this interdisciplinary environment. The successful candidates will also join the Center for Health, Policy and Economics (CHPE) in the faculty, and will be part of a team that provides an outstanding research environment based on dynamic collaboration, interdisciplinary engagement, and an emphasis on academic independence.
Both PhD candidates will conduct research and write a doctoral thesis as part of this four-year research project, which is set to start in August 2025.
One PhD candidate will primarily focus on the development, implementation, data collection, and analysis of a vignette study, which will combine a traditional survey of physician specific
characteristics with a scenario-based survey.
The other PhD candidate will be more involved with compiling and analysing secondary data from health insurance and clinical practices, exploring advanced statistical and machine learning methods.
Both PhD candidates will conduct research and write a doctoral thesis as part of this four-year research project, which is set to start in August 2025.
One PhD candidate will primarily focus on the development, implementation, data collection, and analysis of a vignette study, which will combine a traditional survey of physician specific
characteristics with a scenario-based survey.
The other PhD candidate will be more involved with compiling and analysing secondary data from health insurance and clinical practices, exploring advanced statistical and machine learning methods.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct independent research
- Active participation in scientific conferences
- Active support of the teaching activities
Requirements:
- Master's degree in economics, health sciences, biostatistics or political sciences
- Solid econometrics skills and willingness to refine and improve methodological skills
- Skills in survey research and design are an additional asset
- Strong command of data science using Stata, R or Python
- Passionate about research and willingness to work independently
- Proficient in English (speaking and writing); advanced level in German and/or French strongly desired
- Ability to work in team and autonomy, planning and carrying out research; collaboration with colleagues is required
What we offer:
- Four-year employment in a PhD position salaried according to standards of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
- Excellent working conditions in a fast-growing faculty at the University of Lucerne
- Regular exchange within the project team and within the research colloquia of the Center and the Faculty
- Continuing education opportunities (e.g. participation in international conferences and in the doctoral courses in health economics and policy of the Swiss School of Public Health)
Application
Your application consisting of a single pdf-file should include:
- Motivation letter, specifying your qualifications, research interests, motivations, and preference for which of the two positions (max. 2 pages)
- CV with the names of two academic references who would be willing to provide a reference
- Copy of your Master thesis and, if available, a copy of the supervisor's report. If the candidate's thesis has not yet been submitted, please provide an outline of your thesis project.
- Transcripts of past higher education degrees (Bachelor, Master) as well as copies of diploma. If the candidate has not yet concluded a Master's programme, please provide the expected graduation date and a current full transcript of records.
- Work certificates, if available.
The University of Lucerne is an equal opportunities employer. The Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine embraces inclusion and diversity as key values and implements specific measures to remove any barriers in the recruitment process and career progression.
For further information, please contact Samuel Lordemus, +41 41 229 59 50, samuel.lordemus@unilu.ch or Lukas Kauer, +41 41 229 59 21, lukas.kauer@unilu.ch.
Please submit your application using the button below.
Applications will be accepted until June 1, 2025. Interviews will be conducted mid/end June 2025. Apply now
