Are you passionate about climate policy, sustainability, agricultural economics, and climate change mitigation? ETH Zürich PhD Scholarship 2026 application commencement by the prestigious ETH Zürich has officially been announced. The scholarship is a fully funded doctoral opportunity for international students.
This exciting PhD position is hosted by the Agricultural Economics and Policy Group led by Professor Robert Finger and forms part of the national ACHIEVE Project titled “Pathways to a Net-Zero Target for Hard-to-Abate Swiss Emissions.” The program offers scholars the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Swiss agriculture and developing evidence-based climate policy solutions.
The fully funded PhD scholarship will run for four years in Zürich, Switzerland, and includes a competitive ETH Zürich salary, advanced research training, international collaboration opportunities, academic mentorship, and career development support. The application deadline is 26 June 2026.
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About ETH Zürich
ETH Zürich is globally recognized as one of the world’s leading universities for science, technology, sustainability, and innovation. The university hosts more than 30,000 students and researchers from over 120 countries and consistently ranks among the best institutions worldwide.
ETH Zürich is widely known for:
- Cutting-edge research
- Academic excellence
- Innovation-driven education
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Sustainability and climate neutrality initiatives
The university promotes diversity, inclusion, independent thinking, and collaboration across academia, industry, government, and civil society.
About the ACHIEVE Project
The PhD scholarship is funded under the ACHIEVE initiative: “Pathways to a Net-Zero Target for Hard-to-Abate Swiss Emissions.”
The project brings together:
- 29 member entities
- 27 collaboration partners
- Researchers and policymakers
- Industry and civil society stakeholders
The initiative focuses on developing climate mitigation pathways, net-zero emission strategies, sustainable transition frameworks, and evidence-based policy recommendations for Switzerland.
Within the project, ETH Zürich’s Agricultural Economics and Policy Group leads research on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Swiss agri-food systems.
Research Focus of the ETH Zürich PhD Scholarship
The selected doctoral candidate will conduct research in areas such as:
- Climate change mitigation in agriculture
- Agricultural economics and policy
- Sustainable agri-food systems
- Farmer decision-making processes
- Behavioural responses to climate policy
Key research topics include greenhouse gas reduction strategies, agricultural policy instruments, sustainability transitions, and economic incentives for environmental action.
Research Activities and Methodology
The doctoral project combines economic theory, survey research, behavioural experiments, stakeholder engagement, and quantitative analysis.
Major responsibilities include:
1. Conducting Surveys and Choice Experiments
- Designing farmer surveys
- Conducting behavioural choice experiments
- Gathering primary data from Swiss farmers
2. Data Analysis
- Analyzing survey and secondary datasets
- Conducting economic and statistical analysis
3. Stakeholder Engagement
The candidate will interact with:
- Farmers
- Policymakers
- Agricultural stakeholders
- Sustainability experts
4. Research Collaboration
The researcher will collaborate with PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and interdisciplinary international teams.
5. Student Supervision
The selected candidate may also supervise bachelor’s and master’s students.
PhD Training and Duration
The scholarship is fully funded for four years and offered as a full-time fixed-term position. The expected start period is between October and December 2026.
As part of the doctoral training, candidates will complete 18 ECTS of PhD-level coursework and participate in advanced academic and interdisciplinary training opportunities.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for the ETH Zürich PhD Scholarship, applicants must have:
- A Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics or a related field
- Strong analytical and quantitative research skills
- Interest in climate policy and sustainability research
- Academic writing competence
Applicants close to completing their Master’s degree may also apply.
Language Requirements
Because the project involves direct interaction with Swiss farmers and stakeholders, applicants must demonstrate:
- C1 proficiency in German or French
- Strong English communication and writing skills
Benefits of the ETH Zürich PhD Scholarship
Successful applicants will receive:
- Fully funded four-year PhD position
- Competitive ETH Zürich salary
- Access to world-class research infrastructure
- Personalized mentorship and career guidance
- International and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities
- Professional development and academic networking
Graduates will be well prepared for careers in academia, government, sustainability policy, industry, and international organizations.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following in a single PDF:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Contact details of two referees
- Academic transcripts
Application Deadline
Deadline: 26 June 2026
How to Apply
Interested candidates should visit the official ETH Zürich application portal, prepare all required documents, and submit their applications online before the deadline.
Important:
- Applications submitted by email or post will not be accepted
Apply HERE
For more information, visit the official website
Conclusion
The ETH Zürich PhD Scholarship 2026 is an outstanding opportunity for students interested in agricultural economics, sustainability, and climate policy research. With full funding, international collaboration, strong mentorship, and access to one of Europe’s top research universities, this program offers an excellent pathway for aspiring researchers seeking to contribute to climate change mitigation and sustainable agriculture solutions.
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