Predoctoral Research Associate in Economics (m/w/d)
Your tasks
Research tasks will include data work (collection, cleaning, analysis), coding, and documentation. Projects include, among others:
CO₂ and inequality:
- Computation of household carbon footprints
- Analysis of household carbon footprints along the income distribution and over time
- Evaluation of the effects of carbon pricing on inequality
Dynamic elasticities of taxation:
- Coding of an LLM to systematically document cantonal tax systems in Switzerland and identify tax reforms
- Coding of a microsimulation model of Swiss income taxes
- Working with large administrative data sources
Applicants may also contribute to other ongoing research projects at the Chair. For an overview, please consult Prof. Dominik Sachs and Lehrstuhl Prof. Dominik Sachs. The first website also lists many completed projects, which give a good impression of the type of research pursued in the research group.
Your profile
- Master's degree in economics, public policy, statistics, mathematics, or a related field (exceptionally, an outstanding Bachelor's degree may suffice)
- Strong interest in public economics, macroeconomics, taxation, and applied empirical research
- Solid training in econometrics and quantitative methods
- Experience with statistical software (e.g. Stata, Python, R, Matlab); willingness to deepen programming skills
- High motivation and ability to work independently as well as in a small team
- Existing work permit
The Chair of Macroeconomics and Public Finance at the University of St. Gallen is inviting applications for a full-time Predoctoral Research Associate (100%). The position offers an excellent opportunity for highly motivated students to gain hands-on research experience before pursuing a PhD. The successful candidate will work closely with Prof. Dominik Sachs and his team on empiri-cal, computational, and theoretical projects in macroeconomics and public economics.
- Start date: Ideally in December 2025, but flexible - later start dates (e.g. early 2026) are also possible. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Duration: Flexible - typically until summer 2026 or summer 2027, depending on circumstances. Shorter appointments (e.g. 6 months) are also possible.
Inspirational Work Environment
Executive Education
Network
Family & Career
Equal Opportunities
Fit and Healthy
Inspirational Work Environment
At the HSG, as Europe's leading business university, we operate in an entrepreneurial environment where you will meet highly qualified, ambitious experts - both regionally and internationally. For example, you benefit from a modern IT infrastructure and, in our library via HSGswisscovery, from nationwide access to the wealth of scientific information available.
Executive Education
We support internal and external executive education opportunities. Our internal executive education programme offers you a practical, dedicated and didactically mature transfer of knowledge in the form of seminars, e-learning, coaching and collegial advice. We support task-specific external training and executive education financially as well as with regard to the time required.
Network
We promote our culture of cross-functional collaboration and create space for forging valuable relationships - also with external partners. Regular exchanges and internal events help to strengthen these relationships and make them long-lasting.
Family & Career
We provide our employees with flexible work time models with a variable number of hours per week. As a family-friendly employer, we offer part-time positions, 16 weeks of maternity leave and a subsidised crèche, as well as support with childcare during the vacations.
Equal Opportunities
The University enables equal opportunities for all employees and students. This applies to degree courses and work, as well as academic careers, university management positions and the reconciliation of studies, work and private commitments. We are committed to this with various measures in the areas of teaching, research, administration and the Presidency.
Fit and Healthy
We help you stay fit and healthy. In addition to our diverse range of sports activities at the university, most of which are free of charge, and campaign weeks for corporate health management, we also offer you fruit in the workplace. In our canteen you will find a wide selection of freshly prepared meals - from vegetarian to fish dishes - at discounted prices.
Further information on working at the HSG can be found here.
For job-related questions
We study topical public policy questions with both empirical and theoretical research methods.
I am looking forward to getting you to know soon.
Your place of work
University of St.Gallen
«A place where knowledge is created» - As one of Europe's leading universities of economics and business administration, the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, is committed to the education of over 10'000 students. The HSG is one of the largest employers in the region and provides an attractive and innovative environment for more than 3'500 researchers, educators and professional staff.
