Doctoral Candidate with a Focus on Sustainability

About the job

The University of Applied Sciences for Business Freiburg (HSW-FR) is a member of the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO) and offers bilingual and trilingual programmes at Bachelor and Master levels.

The University of Applied Sciences for Business Freiburg is strengthening its research team in the field of sustainability. We are looking for a doctoral candidate who will lead interdisciplinary projects, support the institution's sustainability strategy, and contribute to teaching in the area of embedding sustainability in organisations.

Tasks and Areas of Activity

• Research & Innovation: Designing and conducting applied research projects on the topics of embedding sustainability in companies, impact/social entrepreneurship, and circular economy in collaboration with partner institutes and laboratories. Writing and publishing articles in scientific journals

• Institutional Strategy: Implementing the university's sustainability strategy and coordinating activities with institutional partners

• Teaching: Co-designing and delivering teaching modules on sustainability as well as leading awareness-raising workshops

• Monitoring & Network Maintenance: Ensuring regulatory and scientific monitoring and representing the university in national and international networks

Your Profile

• Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, or management with a focus on sustainability or equivalent qualification

• Strong interest in writing a doctoral thesis

• Initial successful experience in managing research projects and/or strategic consulting in CSR/sustainability in the public, private, or academic sector

• Solid knowledge of tools for analysing environmental data (ESG assessment, life cycle assessment/LCA, carbon accounting, etc.)

• Excellent competence in transdisciplinary work, ability to synthesise, and an interest in sustainability values

• Teamwork skills, organisational talent, independence, and flexibility

• Proficiency in German or French and good knowledge of the other language, as well as very good English skills

Additional Information

• Fixed-term contract for 3 years

• Employment level: 70-80%

• HSW Freiburg pursues an equal opportunity employment policy

• Contact: Laurent Houmard, Head of Institute, Tel. +41 26 429 63 67
  Greta Balliu, Associate Professor FH, Tel. +41 26 429 63 71

• Start date: 1 January 2027

• Application deadline: 6 December 2026

Are you interested? We look forward to receiving your complete application dossier (cover letter, CV, diplomas, references). Please click on "Apply" below and submit your documents.