Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, is an internationally networked aquatic research institute within the ETH Domain (Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology). Eawag conducts research, education and expert consulting to achieve the dual goals of meeting direct human needs for water and maintaining the function and integrity of aquatic ecosystems.University of St. Gallen is among the highest ranked universities in the field of economics. Both institutions offer excellent research and educational facilities according to the highest international standards.
The Department of Environmental Social Sciences (ESS) at Eawag, and the Department of Economics at the School of Economics and Political Science, University of St. Gallen, have a vacancy for a jointPhD position in Environmental EconomicsThis PhD position is part of a 4-year research project, entirely internally funded. The project aims to contribute to the existing economics literature on the private provision of public goods by providing new theoretical and empirical insights into consumers’ preferences for carbon-neutral products and services. As climate change is becoming increasing important for voters and consumers, many companies are now turning carbon neutral. Little is known, however, about the extent to which consumers reward companies’ green actions, and which strategies can be used to make such actions more salient. This project aims to fill this gap by studying the demand for carbon-neutral products and services and its drivers. Its empirical findings are expected to provide useful information for policymakers and practitioners on low-cost strategies to increase the adoption of green behaviors as well as methodological insights on overlapping product features.
There is relative flexibility in terms of research agenda and research methods. The project has resources to undertake surveys including discrete choice experiments as well as to implement randomized controlled trials.
The PhD student will be employed by Eawag and enrolled in the PhD program for Economics and Finance at the University of St. Gallen. Eawag is located near Zurich, Switzerland, a city consistently ranked among the best in the world for quality of life. The PhD student will have some flexibility with respect to his or her geographical location. When the PhD student is not taking classes in St. Gallen, he or she could very well spend most of his or her time at Eawag depending on his or her personal situation. The selected candidate may also spend part of his or her dissertation at a top university abroad, if in his or her and the project’s interests. There are no teaching obligations, although some teaching could be arranged if the selected candidate will be interested in acquiring some teaching experience during his or her doctorate.
The prospective candidates should have completed or be in the process of completing a master program in economics. Other disciplines will also be considered depending on the skill set, with the understanding that the candidate would need to receive the green light also from the doctoral program at the University of St. Gallen. Candidates should have a strong interest in academic research and in particular in empirical work. They would already be familiar with standard applied microeconometric techniques and would be eager to acquire additional skills. The position requires a good command of English in speaking and writing. German or French language skills are an asset.
Eawag offers a unique research and working environment and is committed to promoting equal opportunities for women and men and to support the compatibility of family and work. Applications from women are especially welcome. For more information about Eawag and our work conditions please consult www.eawag.ch and www.eawag.ch/en/aboutus/working/employment.
For any further information, please contact Dr. Ivana Logar, Phone: +41 58 765 5504 or Dr. Stefano Carattini, Phone: +41 71 224 23 40.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Interviews will be arranged remotely.
Applications should include a motivation letter, CV, unofficial transcripts, the names of at least two referees, and any term paper the applicants might have already completed.
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