The innovation and diffusion of new technologies in the energy sector is strongly linked to institutional settings and dynamics at various governance levels. To support our team in analyzing this linkage, we expect the successful candidate to conduct research on the interaction of public policy and its underlying politics with technological change in the energy sector. Relevant disciplinary fields include, but are not limited to: political science, governance studies, evolutionary or institutional economics, and innovation studies. Interdisciplinary candidates are welcome. Your work should be scientifically rigorous and at the same time relevant to policy makers and political institutions. Your empirical areas of investigation should be related to energy, e.g. renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, or grid technologies. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches are welcome.

An integral part of your work at EPG will consist of advising PhD and master students. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to contribute to shaping the group’s strategy, allowing you to gain experience in leading research projects and teams. There are also possibilities to contribute to the group’s teaching activities.

You hold a PhD in one of the above mentioned disciplines or a related social science and have a clear aspiration to pursue an academic career. Your excellent academic record underlines your ability to publish in top-ranked journals in the fields of political science and/or energy policy. Your working style is team-oriented and you have strong communication skills. You are highly proficient in English; German is not necessary, but is an additional asset.

We offer an entrepreneurial research atmosphere within a dynamic team at a globally leading university. As a member of ETH’s Energy Science Center, our group benefits from frequent interactions with leading scholars in other energy-related fields. We are also contributing to ETH’s newly founded Institute of Science, Technology, and Policy (ISTP). Furthermore we are collaborating with other national and international academic and policy institutions (e.g., within the UN system). We are centrally located in Zurich and the annual salary is very competitive. The starting date is negotiable. The successful candidate is expected to work in the group for a period of at least 2 years.

At www.epg.ethz.ch you can find more information about the group. The review of applications will start on April 15, 2015. The position will remain open until filled.