Postdoctoral Position in the Sustainability Economics Group

The Sustainability Economics Group, led by Prof. Dr. Moritz Drupp, seeks to inform and support the transition to sustainable futures. We investigate how society can manage natural and human-made resources not only efficiently but also equitably. Research foci in the group include (i) studying the efficacy and distributional effects of environmental policies, (ii) exploring concepts of intergenerational justice, such as applied to estimating the social cost of carbon, (iii) analysing preferences and sustainability-relevant behaviours, and (iv) accounting for the limited substitutability of nature when measuring and managing sustainable development. We draw on a diversity of methods (theory, modelling, surveys, experiments, quasi-experimental designs), often in international, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary cooperation, and publish our work in general economics journals (e.g. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, Journal of Economic Literature), field journals (e.g. JEEM), and interdisciplinary journals (e.g. Nature Climate Change, PNAS, Science). With our teaching, we seek to stir students’ enthusiasm for the possibilities in which economic theories and empirical methods can help to better understand and manage sustainability challenges. We furthermore actively contribute to the societal debate and help to improve public policy. 

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to strengthen our Sustainability Economics Group. You are passionate about developing innovative research projects and to share your expertise with students, decision-makers and society. While your main focus lies on independent and collaborative research, you are also excited to make a contribution to the teaching, service and outreach activities of the Sustainability Economics Group. The starting date is flexible, ideally in Summer/Autumn 2025. 

You have a PhD (or are close to completion) in Environmental and Resource Economics, or related fields, and have a keen interest in better understanding and managing sustainability challenges. You have strong analytical and communication skills and excellent methodological expertise in one or more of the following areas: econometric analysis of observational data, surveys and economic experiments, applied theory, or integrated environmental-economic modelling. In line with ETH principles, you seek to drive innovation, act responsibly, live inclusively, nurture well-being, build bridges and enable people to support the transition to sustainable futures.

We offer a full-time position in a dynamic and exciting working environment that will help you build a strong research portfolio, develop your professional skills, and support your career development towards a tenure-track or permanent professorship. Besides the Sustainability Economics Group, which will build up from April 2025 onwards, ETH Zurich is also home to a number of related research groups, such an on Energy, Climate, and Agricultural Economics, Sustainability and Technology as well as Climate, Energy and Environmental Policy, and ample potential for interdisciplinary research beyond. ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. Benefits and salary (currently >$100,000 per year) are very competitive, in line with ETH standards. The contract is initially for 1 year, but it is expected to be renewed for multiple years.