Based in Brig, Uni Distance Suisse, an accredited university institute in accordance with the Swiss Higher Education Act (HEd A), has been offering bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes, further education and training courses in the faculties of Law, Psychology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics and History for over 30 years. These programmes and courses are designed to fit around family life or a professional or sporting career through a flexible, distance-learning model.
Uni Distance Suisse is dedicated to the highest quality standards in teaching and research. The institute aims to obtain university status in 2027, becoming a Valais university and marking a major milestone in its history.
With over 2,400 students, Uni Distance Suisse is the leading distance-learning institution in Switzerland. Almost 350 of the institute’s 450 staff members from across Switzerland and abroad are involved in teaching and research activities and are recognised experts in their respective fields.
In the context of a history project financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation, titled Organised Business and Environmental Governance in Western Europe [1945–1995] and led by Professor Sabine Pitteloud, we are seeking applicants for the position of:
Doctoral student in history (80%)
Place of work: Brig, with the option of working from home part-time
Start date: 01/02/2025 or as agreed
Contract duration: Four years
Your main tasks

• Conduct original doctoral research as part of the research project titled Organised Business and Environmental Governance in Western Europe [1945–1995]. The central aim of this project is to shed light on the responses of polluting industries to environmental demands and regulations, as well as discerning how these efforts were coordinated at a political level. Additionally, the research entails an exploration of the connections forged by business associations with the newly established environment ministries/agencies of the 1970s.
  The thesis is supervised by Professor Sabine Pitteloud and co-supervised by a professor from a different university to be determined depending on the project’s orientation.
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and/or collective works/special issues planned as part of the project.
• Present the research at various conferences in Switzerland and abroad and contribute to the publication of the research results.
• Participate in the academic life of the Faculty of History at Uni Distance Suisse.
• Take part in the organisation of scientific events related to the research project.

Your profile

• Holder of a master’s degree in history or a related discipline, obtained by the contract start date at the latest.
• Able to conduct research in the archives of governmental institutions and private collections. Knowledge of quantitative analysis tools would be an asset.
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written) and passive knowledge of at least two other languages relevant to the project (German, French, Italian). Proficiency in other languages would be an asset.

We offer

• A position at a fast-growing institution where you will consolidate and support the contemporary history research unit.
• The opportunity to conduct independent research leading to a Ph D.
• Working conditions are defined by the Swiss National Science Foundation and include a budget allocated to conferences and archival visits required for the project.
• Flexibility and possibility of remote work.