SNSF PhD Candidate

About the job

The Lausanne School of Social Work (HETSL) brings together on its site nearly 800 bachelor students in social work and more than 2000 professionals in continuing education. Its 220 staff members and a vast network of around 1000 external contributors enable it to fulfil its mission of education, research, and service provision. A private institution attentive to promoting a balance between academic collaborations and the realities of professional fields, the School contributes to the stimulation of the training offer provided by the Vaud Universities of Applied Sciences. Within the HES-SO network, it participates in teaching as part of the Master in Social Work and in the promotion of postgraduate studies (PhD). As part of research funded by Division 1 of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) entitled "Sex@Work: the regulation of sexualised relations at work in four professional organisations", it is offering a position for:

SNSF PhD Candidate 100% for a duration of 48 months

The project focuses on the regulation of sexualised relations at work (consensual or not) in four professional activity contexts. The investigation is based on four case studies in French-speaking Switzerland and employs a qualitative approach: documentary analyses, focus groups, observations, interviews with management, middle management, and workers. It posits that what is "accepted" in the worlds of work regarding sexuality is determined by legal norms, while conceptions of what is deemed "acceptable" fall under social and organisational norms varying according to sectors of activity, work cultures, as well as the characteristics and social positions of individuals. To apprehend the plural and intertwined nature of regulation processes, the project analyses four interdependent levels: the legal framework, organisational policies and practices, professional collective norms, and individuals’ representations and experiences. The research aims to better understand differences between professional environments, tensions between protection and control, as well as the effects of regulation practices on the people concerned.

Holding a master’s degree (social work or social sciences), the person recruited for this project will undertake a PhD within the framework of the SNSF research. They will develop, within this collective research, a specific thesis problem and an autonomous scientific contribution. The team will consist of Dr Stéphanie Monay (postdoctoral researcher), Morgane Kuehni (Professor, research lead).

MISSION

• Conduct a doctoral thesis related to the research problem, ideally in the field of social work;
• Participate in the review of scientific literature (mainly in sociology) and compile a relevant corpus for the doctoral thesis;
• Participate in the selection and processing of collected legal material and data analysis;
• Participate in conducting interviews and focus groups with management and leadership of the four institutions and their analysis;
• Participate in the ethnography of two research sites in partnership with a team member (observations, interviews, data analysis, feedback and organisation of empirical material);
• Contribute to cross-sectional analyses of data collected within the SNSF project;
• Participate in exchanges with the scientific committee, sessions with research partners, and more broadly in institutional activities within HETSL;
• Participate in activities to promote research and results: presentations, publications.

PROFILE

• Master’s degree in social work or social sciences, ideally with a specialisation in labour sociology and/or gender studies;
• Interest in the project’s theme and willingness to undertake a doctoral thesis related to the subject;
• Experience in collecting qualitative data (institutional ethnography, focus groups, interviews and/or observations);
• Good analytical and synthesis skills;
• Good organisational skills;
• Aptitude and interest in working as part of a team;
• Interest in applied research;
• Proficiency in French and English (German is an asset).

Working conditions are governed by the Regulations of the Lausanne School of Social Work. The School offers a welcoming and stimulating work environment, providing numerous opportunities to develop professional projects. Gross annual salary scale for a 100% activity rate, according to SNSF prescriptions: 1st year: CHF 56,230.–, 2nd year: CHF 58,024.–, 3rd and 4th years: CHF 59,818.–

START DATE
1 March or 1 April 2027 or by agreement

APPLICATION DEADLINE
11 December 2026

INTERVIEW DATE:
11 January 2027, shortlisted candidates will be notified on 18 December 2026

INFORMATION
Morgane Kuehni
Full Professor HES
morgane.kuehni@hetsl.ch
(possibility to arrange a telephone conversation)