Want to research how artificial intelligence will reshape jobs, social protection and welfare states? A fully funded four-year PhD position in Switzerland is now open to candidates with a Master’s degree in political science, sociology, economics or related fields. The University of Lucerne is recruiting a PhD Candidate / Doctoral Researcher (100%) for a research project examining how artificial intelligence is transforming welfare state politics and labour markets across OECD countries. The position is part of the European Research Council-funded REPAIR project — “(Re)distributive Politics after the AI Revolution”, led by Professor Juliana Chueri. The successful candidate will join the Zug Institute for Blockchain Research (ZIBR), a newly established research institute at the University of Lucerne focused on the social, political, legal and economic consequences of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain and quantum computing. The position is fully funded for four years, offering an opportunity to pursue a doctoral qualification while working within an international research network. PhD Research on AI, Jobs and the Welfare State The REPAIR project investigates an increasingly important question: What happens to welfare states as artificial intelligence changes the labour market? Rather than assuming that technology automatically produces particular political or economic outcomes, the project examines how governments, political actors and citizens actively shape the consequences of technological change through policy choices and institutions. The PhD candidate will contribute to two major strands of the research. The first focuses on how political actors across OECD countries understand and frame the opportunities and challenges created by AI’s impact on labour markets. The research will examine the policy responses proposed to address issues such as AI-driven automation, employment disruption and changing labour market conditions. The second strand examines whether citizens support different welfare state policies and institutional reforms designed to respond to labour market disruptions caused by artificial intelligence. This makes the position particularly relevant to applicants interested in the intersection of AI, political economy, labour markets, welfare states and social policy. What Will the PhD Candidate Do? The successful candidate will conduct independent doctoral research within the broader REPAIR research programme. Key responsibilities include: Conducting doctoral research on welfare state transformation and/or labour market regulation in the context of AI-driven automation. Contributing to comparative indicators, surveys and cross-national research. Conducting comparative analyses across countries. Publishing research in international peer-reviewed journals. Developing a cumulative doctoral dissertation based on research publications. Supporting research activities within the ERC project. Contributing to workshops, conferences and other academic events. Presenting research findings at international conferences. Participating in the project’s international research network. The researcher will become part of a collaborative team of four researchers, working on shared research infrastructure and comparative research while also developing an independent doctoral project. Who Can Apply? The position is aimed at applicants with a completed Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in: Political Science Public Administration Sociology Economics A closely related discipline Applicants should have a strong interest in areas such as welfare state institutions, labour market regulation, social policy, technology governance or political economy. A strong background in quantitative research methods is also important. Candidates are expected to have experience with programming or statistical tools such as R, Stata or Python. However, applicants who do not yet possess all these technical skills may still be considered if they demonstrate the motivation and ability to develop them. The university is also looking for candidates with excellent written and spoken English, strong communication skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of an international research team. A PhD at the Intersection of AI and Politics The research topic makes this opportunity particularly timely. Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way work is organised, while governments are increasingly debating automation, employment, social protection and inequality. The REPAIR project approaches these questions from a political and institutional perspective. Instead of treating AI as an unstoppable force that determines the future of employment and welfare systems, the project asks how political decisions and citizen preferences can shape the distributional consequences of technological change. For doctoral researchers interested in the politics of technology, this provides an opportunity to work on a rapidly developing field while contributing to comparative research across OECD countries. What the University Offers The position is a 100% fully funded doctoral position for four years. The successful candidate will receive the conditions required to pursue a doctoral qualification while participating in an ERC-funded international research project. The position also offers: Four years of fully funded doctoral employment. Integration into a prestigious European Research Council-funded project. Participation in an international research network. Opportunities to publish in international peer-reviewed journals. Career mentoring and professional development support. A collaborative and team-oriented research environment. Opportunities to participate in international conferences and workshops. Flexible working arrangements. A modern workplace close to Zug railway station. Employment conditions based on the personnel regulations of the Canton of Lucerne. The position is scheduled to start on 1 January 2027, or by mutual agreement. Documents Required Applicants should prepare a complete application dossier containing several documents. The application must include: Motivation letter of no more than two pages explaining the applicant’s profile, interest in the position and REPAIR project, and connection to the project’s research themes. Curriculum vitae, including education, employment, publications and relevant academic activities. University transcripts and degree certificates. Abstract or short description of the Master’s thesis in English. Writing sample in English, such as a seminar paper, thesis or academic publication. Contact details of two academic referees. Applicants should combine their application documents into one PDF file before submission. Application Deadline: 15 November 2026 The application deadline is 15 November 2026. The successful candidate is expected to begin the position on 1 January 2027, unless another starting date is mutually agreed. Applicants should not wait until the deadline to prepare their documents, particularly because the application requires a motivation letter, writing sample, Master’s thesis description, academic records and two academic references. Candidates should also use the motivation letter to demonstrate a clear connection between their research interests and the central questions of the REPAIR project. Why This PhD Stands Out This is more than a conventional doctoral position. The successful candidate will be researching one of the major policy questions of the coming decades: how societies should respond when artificial intelligence changes the nature of work and employment. The research combines AI with welfare state politics, labour markets, social policy and political behaviour, providing an opportunity for doctoral researchers to contribute to an emerging area of scholarship. For candidates with a background in political science, sociology, economics or related disciplines — particularly those with quantitative research interests — the position offers the chance to build an academic profile around a rapidly expanding global research agenda. If you have a Master’s degree, an interest in AI and political economy, and want to pursue a fully funded PhD in Switzerland, this opportunity deserves your attention before the 15 November deadline. 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