Université de Lausanne
Lausanne
Yesterday
PhD Student in Political Science, specializing in Public Policy
- 13 March 2026
- 100%
- Lausanne
Job summary
Join UNIL, a leading global institution with 5,000 staff and 17,000 students.
Tasks
- Conduct research for a PhD in political science focusing on public policy.
- Support teaching activities and assist in seminars and exams.
- Engage in collaborative research addressing health policy issues.
Skills
- Master's degree in political science or related field required.
- Fluency in French and English; other languages a plus.
- Strong research methods and public policy analysis skills.
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About the job
Introduction
A leading international teaching and research institution, UNIL has nearly 5,000 staff members and 17,000 students, distributed between the Dorigny campus and the CHUV and Epalinges sites. As an employer, it promotes excellence, recognition of individuals, and responsibility.
Presentation
To complement the Laboratory for the Analysis of Governance and Public Action in Europe (LAGAPE), the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences is looking for:
a PhD student in political science, specializing in public policy
Job Information
Start date: 01.06.2026
Contract duration: 1 year, renewable 3 times for 1 year each, maximum 4 years depending on funding
Work rate: 100%
Workplace: Lausanne-Dorigny, UNIL-Mouline
Salary: Salary scale
Your Activities
In your role, you will notably be expected to:
- Dedicate 80% of your work time to completing a doctoral thesis under the supervision of Professor Johanna Hornung, focusing on health policy / public health within the project "Science and Social Identities as Sources of Polarization in Policy Processes and Their Effects on Policy Acceptance and Compliance", as well as shared research activities.
- Devote up to 20% of your work time to supporting teaching (leading and supervising seminars, assisting courses, monitoring, oral exams, and grading exams for other courses in the program, etc.). Other minor institutional tasks may also be assigned.
- Job description: Terms of reference
Your Profile
We wish to hire, to work within a research project, a person with the following profile:
- Master's degree in political science, public administration, public policy, or an equivalent qualification;
- Proficiency in French and English (reading, writing, speaking), proficiency in other languages is an asset;
- Excellent mastery of survey methods and research processes in social sciences;
- Excellent knowledge of the field of public policy analysis;
- Strong motivation to complete a doctoral thesis in the field of public policy;
- Ability to work independently and to manage administrative and research activities while respecting deadlines.
- Interest in a long-term scientific career is an asset.
Your Benefits
A pleasant working environment in a multicultural and diverse academic setting.
Opportunities for continuing education, a multitude of activities, and other benefits to discover.
More information at unil.ch/travailler
For Further Information
Your Application File
Application deadline : April 14, 2026
Please send us your complete application file in PDF format. This file should include the following elements:
1) cover letter;
2) detailed CV with list of publications;
3) official transcript and copies of university diplomas;
4) a copy of the master’s thesis and a research paper (seminar paper, conference paper, or other scientific publication);
5) a brief presentation of a thesis project (1 page) related to the project described below:
How are preferences in public policy formed? Are political measures more accepted when the public perceives them as based on science? Does science act as a factor of polarization or depolarization in political crisis management? And what role do emotions and social group affiliations, such as political parties, play?
Particularly in the field of health policies, the research project analyzes how problems and crises emerge, how they are managed by political actors through public policy instruments, and how actors’ preferences around these policies are formed, as well as the resulting collaborations or conflicts.
The project focuses more specifically on antibiotic resistance and how, in a still little prominent health crisis, social identities and science, and more precisely which aspects of them, influence the acceptance of public policies, compliance with measures, and polarization within society.
Only applications submitted through this site will be considered.
Thank you for your understanding.
Remarks
UNIL is committed to:
• Equality, diversity, and inclusion within its community;
• Ensuring an open, respectful, and supportive environment for personal development;
• Offering working conditions conducive to balancing different life spheres;
• Supporting the next generation of scientists.
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