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Research and teaching assistant (PhD candidate) in International Economics or Urban Economics (m/f/d)

70 % (unlimited, by 01.02.2026)

Your tasks

The Chair of Economics, led by Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Rauch, is seeking to fill one or two funded PhD positions. Successful candidates will enrol in the PhD Program in Economics at the University of St.Gallen (GPEF) and are encouraged to also participate in the Swiss Program for Beginning Doctoral Students in Economics at the Study Center Gerzensee. 

  • The main responsibility of the candidates will be to develop their own PhD thesis under the supervision of Prof. Rauch. Research topics may include International Economics or Urban Economics. Collaboration with other researchers within the Chair and beyond is also possible.
  • In addition, successful candidates are expected to contribute to the teaching activities of Prof. Dr. Rauch.

Your profile

  • You have an outstanding Master's degree in economics or a related field, and you have advanced knowledge of econometric and theoretical methods
  • High motivation and ability to work independently as well as in a small team
About us:
The University of St. Gallen is a leading business university with over 9,800 students and 3,500 employees. The Swiss Institute for International Economics and Applied Economic Research, or SIAW-HSG for short, has around 40 employees and is one of the university's 36 institutes. Our focus is on foreign trade, macroeconomics, taxation and social systems, public economics, environmental economics and insurance. We are responsible for research, teaching and services in our fields and train young talent for research and the interface between science and practice.

The Chair of Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Rauch is part of the Swiss Institute for International Economics and Applied Economic Research (SIAW-HSG) at the University of St.Gallen. The SIAW-HSG has a strong track record of supporting young researchers, with recent PhD graduates joining institutions such as Harvard Business School and the Paris School of Economics. We offer a research-oriented, intellectually stimulating, and dynamic work environment.

Application requirements:

Please submit
  • a cover letter (providing details about your motivation for this position, your research interests, and your relevant skill)
  • a CV
  • your grade transcripts
  • a piece of written work (e.g. thesis or seminar paper)

Application deadine is November 30th.
We are looking forward to your online-application stating the job ID
apply here
Inspirational Work Environment

Inspirational Work Environment

Executive Education

Executive Education

Network

Network

Family & Career

Family & Career

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunities

Fit and Healthy

Fit and Healthy

Inspirational Work Environment

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Rauch
Professor of Economics, SIAW-HSG
ferdinand.rauch@unisg.ch

As your potential future supervisor, I look forward to receiving your application. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions.


Dr. Mirela Keuschnigg
Executive Director, SEPS-HSG
mirela.keuschnigg@unisg.ch

I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the Graduate Programme in Economics and Finance (GPEF).

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.