SNSF PhD Student within the project Editing Poetry in French-speaking Switzerland (1900-2025).

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.

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Presentation

The French Section of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Lausanne is offering a SNSF PhD position to join the team of the project "Editing Poetry in French-speaking Switzerland (1900-2025). Books, journals, performances", supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

For more information about this scientific project:
https://www.unil.ch/news/1761553160763?utm_source=mailpoet&utm_medium=email&utm_source_platform=mailpoet&utm_campaign=eureka-655

Job-related information

Start date: February 1, 2026

Contract duration: one year, renewable for three years

Work rate: 100%

Workplace: Lausanne-Dorigny 

Your activities

For 80% of the mandate dedicated to the SNSF project "Editing Poetry in French-speaking Switzerland (1900-2025). Books, journals, performances", the selected person will carry out a doctoral thesis on the Vaud publisher Henry-Louis Mermod, notably based on the archival collections of the Center for Literatures in French-speaking Switzerland (UNIL), under the co-supervision of Professors Daniel Maggetti and Dominique Kunz Westerhoff.

They will write some entries for the SNSF project database listing about a hundred publishing houses, journals, and poetry performances published in French-speaking Switzerland. They will contribute to the presentation of the Mermod publisher in the project catalog, participate in organizing a conference and coordinating its proceedings, and contribute to an exhibition on objects related to their thesis.

For the 20% of the mandate dedicated to the French Section, the selected person may be involved in supervising Bachelor-level teaching (practical work) and exams. They will participate in research activities, tasks, and the life of the French Section.

Your profile

Master of Arts in French-language literature or equivalent degree (degree obtained at the time of starting the position).

Candidates are expected to have an excellent knowledge of modern and contemporary poetry, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland, demonstrated by their Master’s thesis or seminar work, as well as an interest in the French-speaking editorial landscape.

Experience with archival work would be 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 www.unil.ch/carrieres

For further information

Contact Professor Daniel Maggetti or Professor Dominique Kunz Westerhoff  

Your application file

Application deadline: December 5, 2025

Interested candidates are requested to send us, via the online system, in PDF format, a single complete file containing: cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, copies of university diplomas and the Master’s diploma supplement detailing the results obtained, list of any publications.

Attached to this file should be the Master’s thesis and, if applicable, a publication representative of the candidate’s work and demonstrating their fit with the profile defined for this position.

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 spheres of life;
•    Supporting the next generation of scientists.

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