The economic geography group of the University of Bern examines the evolution of urban and regional economies and we are interested in the ways in which places develop and maintain their economic competitiveness and sustainability.
Our research focuses on the evolution of firms and industries in the spatial context. We examine why certain cities and regions manage to grow entrepreneurial and innovative economies while others fail to do so. We are interested in the role of entrepreneurs and spinoffs and the ways in which they are embedded in networks of innovation and knowledge creation.
📢 PhD Position in Economic Geography, University of Bern (Switzerland)
We are excited to announce a fully funded four-year PhD position in Economic Geography at the Institute of Geography, University of Bern, starting July 2026.
The successful candidate will join a dynamic research environment focusing on the interplay between economic, social and ecological transformations, with strong links to policy and societal impact. The PhD project will be embedded in a broader research agenda on topics such as:
🌍 Regional economic development
🌱 Sustainability transitions & innovation
🏙️ Urban and peripheral resilience
♻️ Circular economy & post-growth
🌡️ Climate adaptation & just transitions
What we offer
· Fully funded PhD position with competitive salary
· Supportive supervision and international research networks
· Dedicated research budget (fieldwork & conferences)
· Opportunities for teaching, publishing, and policy engagement
· Outstanding quality of life in Bern and the Swiss Alps
Who we are looking for
· Master’s degree in Geography or a related discipline
· Strong interest in one or more of the topics mentioned above
· Excellent English skills (and good knowledge of German)
· Motivation to work in an international, interdisciplinary team
📅 Start date: July 1, 2026
📍 Location: Institute of Geography, University of Bern
📄 Application deadline: February 9, 2026
🔗 Full job description and application details here: https://ohws.prospective.ch/public/v1/jobs/342ce6ad-a128-46cb-8ba8-8bc0cdbff406
For questions, please contact:
Dr. Sebastian Fastenrath – sebastian.fastenrath@unibe.ch
Prof. Heike Mayer – heike.mayer@unibe.ch
Please send your application as one single PDF file to: jobs.giub@unibe.ch
