PhD Candidate / Doctoral Researcher: Welfare State Transformation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence in University of Lucerne – Zug, Switzerland

Summary

The University of Lucerne’s Zug Institute for Blockchain Research offers a fully funded, four‑year PhD position within the ERC Starting Grant project REPAIR, which investigates how artificial intelligence reshapes welfare state politics across OECD countries. The candidate will conduct independent doctoral research on welfare state transformation and labour market regulation, develop comparative indicators and surveys, publish in peer‑reviewed journals, and support the principal investigator in grant management and event organisation. The role requires a master’s degree in a relevant social science, strong quantitative skills, programming ability, and excellent English. The position provides integration into an international research network, career mentoring, flexible working conditions, and a modern workplace near Zug railway station.

Key Facts

Department	Zug Institute for Blockchain Research
Position Type	PhD
Discipline	Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, Economics, or related discipline
Research Area	Welfare state transformation and AI-driven labour market regulation
Degree Required	Master's degree (or equivalent)
Salary	Fully funded qualifying position (100%)
Funding	Fully funded (ERC Starting Grant)
Contract Duration	4 years (fixed‑term)
Language	English
Deadline	2026-11-15
Required Documents	Motivation letter (max. 2 pages), Curriculum vitae with education, work experience, publications, Copies of university transcripts and degree certificates, Abstract or short description of Master's thesis in English, Writing sample in English, Contact details of two academic references
Employer Address	Zug Institute for Blockchain Research, University of Lucerne, Zug, Switzerland
Employer Contact	[email protected]

About the Project

The REPAIR project, funded by an ERC Starting Grant, examines how artificial intelligence transforms welfare state politics across OECD countries. It focuses on the role of political institutions, policies, and collective choices in shaping AI’s impact on work, employment, and social protection, and investigates citizens’ support for welfare reforms addressing AI‑driven labour market disruptions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent doctoral research on welfare state transformation and labour market regulation in the AI context
• Develop comparative indicators, surveys, and cross‑national analyses
• Publish research findings in peer‑reviewed international journals (cumulative dissertation)
• Support the principal investigator in research activities, grant management, and organisation of workshops and conferences
• Present research at international conferences and engage with the project’s international research network

Required Skills

• Strong interest in welfare state institutions, labour market regulation, social policy, technology governance, and political economy
• Strong knowledge of quantitative research methods and programming languages (R, Stata, Python) or willingness to acquire them
• Excellent command of English, spoken and written
• Ability to work independently and as part of an international team
• Strong communication skills, proactive attitude, and capacity for self‑organisation

Who Should Apply

Applicants who hold a completed master’s degree (or equivalent) in political science, public administration, sociology, economics or a closely related discipline, possess strong quantitative research skills and programming experience (or willingness to learn), have an excellent command of English, and are motivated to study welfare state institutions, labour market regulation, and AI‑driven social policy in an international team setting.

Benefits

• Fully funded position (100%) for four years with excellent conditions for completing a doctoral qualification
• Integration in a prestigious ERC‑funded research project with an international research network
• Opportunity to help build a globally unique research institute on emerging technologies
• Cooperative, creative, and team‑oriented atmosphere
• Continuous career mentoring and support for professional development
• Flexible working arrangements and a modern workplace close to Zug railway station
• Employment conditions in accordance with the personnel regulations of the Canton of Lucerne

About the Employer

The University of Lucerne is a modern human sciences university in Switzerland with six faculties and two academies. Its Zug Institute for Blockchain Research (ZIBR) is a newly established institute that brings together nine professorships to study the social, political, legal, and economic consequences of emerging technologies such as blockchain, AI, and quantum computing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of the position?

The appointment is fixed‑term for four years.

When does the position start?

The start date is 1 January 2027 or by mutual agreement.

How many academic references are required?

Contact details of two academic references must be provided.