University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD Position 2027: Four-Year Research Opportunity in AI and Social Policy 🇨🇭

University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD Position 2027: Four-Year Research Opportunity in AI and Social Policy 🇨🇭. Applications are open for a fully funded PhD position at the University of Lucerne in Switzerland, offering a four-year doctoral research opportunity at the intersection of:

🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

🏛️ WELFARE STATE POLITICS

📊 SOCIAL POLICY

💼 LABOUR MARKETS

and:

⚖️ POLITICAL ECONOMY.

The position is based at the Zug Institute for Blockchain Research (ZIBR) at the University of Lucerne and forms part of the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant project:

“(RE)DISTRIBUTIVE POLITICS AFTER THE AI REVOLUTION” — REPAIR.

The project is led by:

PROFESSOR JULIANA CHUERI

and examines how artificial intelligence is transforming welfare-state politics across OECD countries.

The successful candidate will be appointed as a:

🎓 PHD CANDIDATE / DOCTORAL RESEARCHER (100%)

for:

📅 FOUR YEARS

with the position expected to start on:

🚨 JANUARY 1, 2027

or another date agreed with the university.

Applications close on:

🚨 NOVEMBER 15, 2026.

⚠️ Important Accuracy Note

This opportunity is a:

✅ FULLY FUNDED DOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITION

✅ 100% EMPLOYMENT APPOINTMENT

✅ FOUR-YEAR FIXED-TERM POSITION

and:

✅ ERC-FUNDED RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY.

It should not be described as a traditional scholarship that simply provides a monthly stipend.

The University of Lucerne describes the role as a:

FULLY FUNDED QUALIFYING POSITION

with attractive employment conditions governed by the personnel regulations of the:

CANTON OF LUCERNE.

However:

⚠️ THE OFFICIAL VACANCY DOES NOT PUBLISH A SPECIFIC CHF SALARY FIGURE.

Vacancy Bridge should therefore not advertise an invented salary amount.

🇨🇭 University of Lucerne PhD 2027: Quick Overview

Detail	Information
University	University of Lucerne
Country	Switzerland 🇨🇭
Institute	Zug Institute for Blockchain Research
Position	PhD Candidate / Doctoral Researcher
Employment Level	100%
Research Theme	Welfare State Transformation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Project	REPAIR
Funding	European Research Council Starting Grant
Project Lead	Prof. Juliana Chueri
Duration	4 Years
Start Date	January 1, 2027 or by Agreement
Funding Status	Fully Funded
Salary	According to University / Canton Employment Conditions
Exact Salary	Not Published
Location	Zug / University of Lucerne, Switzerland
Required Qualification	Master’s Degree or Equivalent
Relevant Fields	Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, Economics or Related Field
Quantitative Methods	Required / Strongly Preferred
Programming	R, Stata or Python Experience or Willingness to Learn
Language	Excellent English
Application Format	Single PDF
Deadline	November 15, 2026
Status	Applications Open

The official vacancy confirms that the appointment is fully funded for four years and embedded in an international ERC-funded research network.

🏛️ About the University of Lucerne

University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD Position 2027: Four-Year Research Opportunity in AI and Social Policy 🇨🇭

The University of Lucerne is a Swiss university focused strongly on the:

HUMANITIES

SOCIAL SCIENCES

LAW

ECONOMICS

and:

HUMAN-CENTRED STUDY OF TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY.

Its guiding principle is:

“MOVING HUMAN SCIENCES.”

The university aims to strengthen internationally visible research on the relationship between:

PEOPLE

INSTITUTIONS

POLITICS

TECHNOLOGY

and:

SOCIETY.

🧠 About the Zug Institute for Blockchain Research

The Zug Institute for Blockchain Research, or:

ZIBR,

is a newly established interdisciplinary institute at the University of Lucerne.

Despite its name, its research extends beyond blockchain.

The institute studies emerging technologies including:

🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

⛓️ BLOCKCHAIN

⚛️ QUANTUM COMPUTING

and related digital technologies.

Its focus is not only technical.

ZIBR examines the:

SOCIAL

POLITICAL

LEGAL

and:

ECONOMIC

consequences of technological change.

The institute brings together researchers across multiple social-science disciplines and aims to develop a distinctive international centre for research on:

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND SOCIETY.

🤖 What Is the REPAIR Project?

The PhD position is part of the ERC Starting Grant project:

(RE)DISTRIBUTIVE POLITICS AFTER THE AI REVOLUTION

known as:

REPAIR.

The project examines how:

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

is transforming:

WORK

EMPLOYMENT

SOCIAL PROTECTION

and:

WELFARE STATE POLITICS

University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD Position 2027: Four-Year Research Opportunity in AI and Social Policy 🇨🇭

across OECD countries.

Rather than assuming technology automatically determines political outcomes, REPAIR focuses on how:

POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS

PUBLIC POLICIES

POLITICAL ACTORS

and:

COLLECTIVE CHOICES

shape the social consequences of AI.

🎯 What Will the PhD Research Focus On?

The doctoral researcher will contribute to two main areas of the REPAIR project.

1️⃣ Political Responses to AI and Labour-Market Change

The project will examine how political actors in OECD countries understand and frame:

AI-DRIVEN LABOUR-MARKET DISRUPTION

including:

AUTOMATION

JOB DISPLACEMENT

CHANGING SKILL DEMANDS

and:

NEW FORMS OF EMPLOYMENT.

The candidate will investigate what policy responses political actors propose to address these challenges.

2️⃣ Public Support for Welfare-State Reform

The project will also study how citizens respond to:

AI-RELATED ECONOMIC CHANGE

and whether they support reforms involving:

SOCIAL PROTECTION

LABOUR-MARKET POLICY

REDISTRIBUTION

and:

WELFARE STATE INSTITUTIONS.

🔬 Main Responsibilities

The successful doctoral researcher will be expected to conduct:

INDEPENDENT PHD RESEARCH

on:

WELFARE STATE TRANSFORMATION

and/or:

LABOUR-MARKET REGULATION

in the context of AI-driven automation.

📊 Comparative Research

The candidate will contribute to the development of:

COMPARATIVE INDICATORS

SURVEYS

and:

CROSS-NATIONAL ANALYSES.

📚 Academic Publishing

The PhD is expected to result in:

PEER-REVIEWED INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS

forming a:

CUMULATIVE DISSERTATION.

🌍 International Conferences

The doctoral researcher will also:

PRESENT RESEARCH AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

and participate in:

THE PROJECT’S INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH NETWORK.

🤝 Research Team Activities

Additional responsibilities may include supporting the principal investigator with:

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

GRANT MANAGEMENT

WORKSHOPS

University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD Position 2027: Four-Year Research Opportunity in AI and Social Policy 🇨🇭

and:

CONFERENCE ORGANISATION.

👥 Collaborative Research Environment

The successful applicant will join a:

FOUR-PERSON RESEARCH TEAM

working collaboratively on the REPAIR project.

The candidate will contribute both to:

INDIVIDUAL DOCTORAL RESEARCH

and:

SHARED PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE.

🎓 Who Can Apply?

Applicants must hold:

A COMPLETED MASTER’S DEGREE

or:

AN EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATION

in one of the following fields:

🏛️ POLITICAL SCIENCE

📋 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

👥 SOCIOLOGY

💰 ECONOMICS

or:

📚 A CLOSELY RELATED DISCIPLINE.

🎯 Research Interests

Applicants should have a strong interest in one or more of the following:

WELFARE STATE INSTITUTIONS

LABOUR-MARKET REGULATION

SOCIAL POLICY

TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE

and:

POLITICAL ECONOMY.

📊 Quantitative Research Skills

Strong knowledge of:

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

is important for the position.

Relevant methodological experience may include:

SURVEY ANALYSIS

STATISTICAL MODELLING

COMPARATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

and:

CROSS-NATIONAL RESEARCH.

💻 Programming Requirements

Applicants should ideally have experience with programming or statistical software such as:

R

STATA

or:

PYTHON.

However, the university also states that candidates who show:

THE WILLINGNESS

and:

ABILITY TO ACQUIRE THESE SKILLS

may still be considered.

🗣️ English Language Requirement

Applicants need:

EXCELLENT SPOKEN AND WRITTEN ENGLISH.

University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD Position 2027: Four-Year Research Opportunity in AI and Social Policy 🇨🇭

The official vacancy does not state that German is mandatory for this position.

This can make the opportunity particularly attractive to:

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

whose primary academic working language is English.

🧠 Personal Skills

The University of Lucerne is looking for candidates who can:

✅ WORK INDEPENDENTLY

✅ COLLABORATE IN AN INTERNATIONAL TEAM

✅ COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY

✅ ORGANISE THEIR WORK

and:

✅ TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO RESEARCH.

💰 Is the PhD Fully Funded?

Yes.

The official vacancy describes the position as:

✅ FULLY FUNDED

for:

FOUR YEARS

at:

100% EMPLOYMENT.

This means the doctoral researcher is employed within the funded ERC project while completing the PhD.

💵 How Much Is the Salary?

The University of Lucerne does not publish a specific salary figure in the vacancy.

Instead, it states that the position includes:

ATTRACTIVE EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

in accordance with the:

PERSONNEL REGULATIONS OF THE CANTON OF LUCERNE.

Therefore:

⚠️ DO NOT ADVERTISE AN UNVERIFIED MONTHLY OR ANNUAL SALARY.

The exact compensation should be confirmed during the recruitment process.

⏳ How Long Is the PhD Position?

The funded appointment lasts:

📅 FOUR YEARS.

The University of Lucerne also notes more generally that funded doctoral assistant positions are commonly structured for up to four years.

📅 When Does the Position Start?

The official start date is:

JANUARY 1, 2027

or:

BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT.

📍 Where Is the Position Based?

The doctoral researcher will work with the:

ZUG INSTITUTE FOR BLOCKCHAIN RESEARCH

at the:

UNIVERSITY OF LUCERNE

in Switzerland.

The university highlights a modern workplace located close to:

ZUG RAILWAY STATION.

💻 Is the PhD Remote?

No.

This is a university-based doctoral employment position in Switzerland.

However, the official vacancy states that the university offers:

FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS.

Applicants should not interpret this as a fully remote PhD.

🌍 Can International Applicants Apply?

Yes.

The official vacancy describes the research environment as:

INTERNATIONAL

and does not restrict the position to Swiss nationals.

International candidates who meet the:

ACADEMIC

RESEARCH

LANGUAGE

and:

EMPLOYMENT / IMMIGRATION

requirements may apply.

🌍 Can Africans Apply?

Potentially:

✅ YES.

The official call does not exclude African applicants.

Qualified candidates from African countries with a Master’s degree in:

POLITICAL SCIENCE

SOCIOLOGY

ECONOMICS

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

or a related discipline may apply if they meet the research and quantitative-method requirements.

🇿🇼 Can Zimbabweans Apply?

Potentially:

✅ YES.

A Zimbabwean applicant can apply if they meet:

THE MASTER’S DEGREE REQUIREMENT

THE QUANTITATIVE METHODS EXPECTATION

THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

and:

THE RESEARCH FIT.

If selected, they would also need to satisfy the relevant Swiss immigration and employment requirements.

🎓 What Does the University Offer?

The successful candidate will receive:

✅ A FULLY FUNDED FOUR-YEAR POSITION

✅ ERC-FUNDED RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

✅ INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH NETWORKING

✅ CAREER MENTORING

✅ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT

✅ FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

and:

✅ A MODERN RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT.

🌍 International Research Network

The PhD is embedded in a:

PRESTIGIOUS ERC-FUNDED PROJECT

University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD Position 2027: Four-Year Research Opportunity in AI and Social Policy 🇨🇭

with an international academic network.

This can give the candidate opportunities to:

COLLABORATE WITH INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHERS

PRESENT AT CONFERENCES

PUBLISH INTERNATIONALLY

and:

DEVELOP A STRONG ACADEMIC PROFILE.

📄 What Documents Are Required?

Applicants must prepare a complete application dossier.

✅ Motivation Letter

Maximum length:

2 PAGES.

The letter should explain:

YOUR PROFILE

WHY YOU WANT THE POSITION

YOUR INTEREST IN REPAIR

and:

HOW YOUR RESEARCH INTERESTS CONNECT TO THE PROJECT.

✅ Curriculum Vitae

The CV should include:

EDUCATION

WORK EXPERIENCE

PUBLICATIONS

and:

OTHER RELEVANT ACTIVITIES.

✅ University Transcripts

Provide copies of:

ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS

and:

DEGREE CERTIFICATES.

✅ Master’s Thesis Abstract

Applicants must include:

AN ABSTRACT

or:

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THEIR MASTER’S THESIS

in:

ENGLISH.

✅ Writing Sample

Provide an English-language writing sample, such as:

SEMINAR PAPER

MASTER’S THESIS

or:

PUBLICATION.

✅ Two Academic References

Applicants should provide:

CONTACT DETAILS FOR TWO ACADEMIC REFEREES.

📦 Application Format

All application documents must be combined into:

ONE SINGLE PDF FILE.

📝 How to Apply for the University of Lucerne PhD 2027

Step 1 — Review the REPAIR Project

Make sure your interests genuinely connect to:

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

WELFARE STATE POLITICS

LABOUR-MARKET CHANGE

or:

SOCIAL POLICY.

Step 2 — Prepare Your Motivation Letter

Keep the letter within:

TWO PAGES.

Explain why your academic background makes you a strong fit for:

REPAIR

and:

ZIBR.

Step 3 — Update Your Academic CV

Highlight:

RESEARCH METHODS

STATISTICS

PROGRAMMING

PUBLICATIONS

CONFERENCES

and:

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE.

Step 4 — Prepare Your Academic Documents

Include:

TRANSCRIPTS

and:

DEGREE CERTIFICATES.

Step 5 — Prepare the Master’s Thesis Summary

Write a concise English-language summary explaining:

THE RESEARCH QUESTION

METHODS

DATA

and:

MAIN FINDINGS.

Step 6 — Select Your Writing Sample

Choose your strongest English-language academic work.

Ideally, it should demonstrate:

ANALYTICAL THINKING

RESEARCH DESIGN

ACADEMIC WRITING

and:

METHODOLOGICAL SKILLS.

Step 7 — Identify Two Academic Referees

Choose referees familiar with your:

RESEARCH ABILITY

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

and:

POTENTIAL FOR DOCTORAL STUDY.

Step 8 — Combine Everything Into One PDF

The university specifically requests:

A SINGLE PDF APPLICATION FILE.

University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD Position 2027: Four-Year Research Opportunity in AI and Social Policy 🇨🇭

Step 9 — Submit Before the Deadline

Applications must be submitted by:

🚨 NOVEMBER 15, 2026.

📋 Application Checklist

Before applying, prepare:

✅ Master’s Degree

Required.

✅ Motivation Letter

Maximum 2 pages.

✅ Academic CV

Required.

✅ Degree Certificates

Include copies.

✅ Academic Transcripts

Required.

✅ Master’s Thesis Abstract

In English.

✅ Writing Sample

In English.

✅ Quantitative Skills

Highlight clearly.

✅ R / Stata / Python

Mention experience if applicable.

✅ Two Academic References

Provide contact details.

✅ Single PDF

Required.

✅ Deadline

November 15, 2026.

🎯 How to Strengthen Your Application

🤖 Show Genuine Interest in AI and Society

This is not a computer-science AI PhD.

The central research question is:

HOW AI CHANGES POLITICS, WORK AND SOCIAL POLICY.

Applicants should demonstrate interest in:

TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE

and:

ITS SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES.

📊 Highlight Quantitative Methods

Make your experience with:

SURVEY DATA

REGRESSION ANALYSIS

CAUSAL INFERENCE

COMPARATIVE DATA

or:

STATISTICAL SOFTWARE

easy to identify.

💻 Mention Programming Skills

If you use:

R

STATA

or:

PYTHON,

include specific examples.

For instance:

“Used R to analyse cross-national survey data and estimate multivariate regression models.”

📚 Choose a Strong Writing Sample

Your writing sample should show that you can:

FORMULATE A RESEARCH QUESTION

USE EVIDENCE

ANALYSE DATA OR THEORY

and:

WRITE CLEARLY IN ACADEMIC ENGLISH.

🎯 Tailor the Motivation Letter

Avoid sending a generic PhD letter.

Mention:

REPAIR

PROFESSOR JULIANA CHUERI

WELFARE STATE TRANSFORMATION

and:

AI-DRIVEN LABOUR MARKET CHANGE.

⚠️ Common Application Mistakes

Avoid:

• Calling this a computer science PhD
• Assuming AI programming is the main research topic
• Applying without a completed Master’s degree
• Ignoring the quantitative methods requirement
• Sending a motivation letter longer than 2 pages
• Forgetting the Master’s thesis abstract
• Omitting the writing sample
• Failing to provide two academic references
• Sending documents separately instead of one PDF
• Inventing a salary figure
• Calling the position fully remote
• Missing the November 15, 2026 deadline
• Submitting a generic motivation letter
• Failing to explain how your research interests fit REPAIR

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD Position 2027: Four-Year Research Opportunity in AI and Social Policy 🇨🇭

Is the University of Lucerne PhD 2027 fully funded?

Yes.

The university explicitly describes it as a:

FULLY FUNDED POSITION FOR FOUR YEARS.

Is this a scholarship?

It is more accurately described as a:

FUNDED DOCTORAL EMPLOYMENT / QUALIFYING POSITION

rather than a traditional scholarship.

How long is the position?

FOUR YEARS.

When does it start?

JANUARY 1, 2027

or by mutual agreement.

What is the application deadline?

🚨 NOVEMBER 15, 2026.

What is the research topic?

The official title is:

WELFARE STATE TRANSFORMATION IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

What is REPAIR?

REPAIR stands for:

(RE)DISTRIBUTIVE POLITICS AFTER THE AI REVOLUTION.

It is an ERC Starting Grant project investigating how AI affects welfare-state politics, labour markets and social protection.

Who supervises the project?

PROFESSOR JULIANA CHUERI.

What degree is required?

A completed Master’s degree or equivalent in:

POLITICAL SCIENCE

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

SOCIOLOGY

ECONOMICS

or:

A CLOSELY RELATED FIELD.

Do I need programming experience?

Experience with:

R

STATA

or:

PYTHON

is useful.

Applicants who can demonstrate the ability and willingness to develop these skills may also be considered.

Is German required?

The official vacancy specifies:

EXCELLENT ENGLISH

but does not list German as a mandatory requirement.

Can international students apply?

Yes, potentially.

The vacancy does not restrict applications to Swiss nationals.

Can Africans apply?

Potentially yes, provided they meet all academic and research requirements.

Can Zimbabweans apply?

Potentially yes, subject to the vacancy requirements and Swiss immigration rules if selected.

Is the position remote?

No.

It is based at the University of Lucerne / ZIBR in Switzerland, although flexible working arrangements are offered.

What is the salary?

The exact salary is not published in the vacancy.

Employment conditions follow the personnel regulations of the Canton of Lucerne.

What documents are required?

Applicants need:

MOTIVATION LETTER

CV

TRANSCRIPTS

DEGREE CERTIFICATES

MASTER’S THESIS ABSTRACT

WRITING SAMPLE

and:

TWO ACADEMIC REFERENCES.

How should the application be submitted?

All documents must be submitted as:

ONE SINGLE PDF FILE.

🚀 Final Thoughts

University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD Position 2027: Four-Year Research Opportunity in AI and Social Policy 🇨🇭

University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD Position 2027: Four-Year Research Opportunity in AI and Social Policy 🇨🇭. The University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD Position 2027 offers an excellent opportunity for researchers interested in understanding how:

🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

is changing:

💼 LABOUR MARKETS

🏛️ WELFARE STATES

📊 SOCIAL POLICY

and:

⚖️ POLITICAL ECONOMY.

The four-year doctoral position is part of the:

ERC-FUNDED REPAIR PROJECT

and offers:

✅ FULL FUNDING

✅ 100% EMPLOYMENT

✅ INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COLLABORATION

✅ CAREER MENTORING

✅ CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION

and:

✅ STRONG PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT.

Applicants should have a relevant:

MASTER’S DEGREE

and ideally demonstrate strong:

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

and:

PROGRAMMING SKILLS.

Applications must be submitted before:

🚨 NOVEMBER 15, 2026.

📲 Join the Vacancy Bridge WhatsApp Channel

Get fully funded PhDs, Switzerland scholarships, research opportunities, AI research positions, fellowships, graduate opportunities and international academic careers through Vacancy Bridge.

👉 Join here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vakee9aHFxOyCIBPJA0o

APPLY NOW ON THIS OFFICIAL PAGE

🔑 Key Details

University: University of Lucerne
Country: Switzerland 🇨🇭
Institute: Zug Institute for Blockchain Research
Position: PhD Candidate / Doctoral Researcher
Research Topic: Welfare State Transformation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Project: REPAIR
Funding: European Research Council Starting Grant
Supervisor / Project Lead: Prof. Juliana Chueri
Duration: 4 Years
Employment Level: 100%
Funding Status: Fully Funded
Start Date: January 1, 2027 or by Agreement
Required Qualification: Master’s Degree or Equivalent
Relevant Fields: Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, Economics or Related Field
Quantitative Methods: Important
Programming: R, Stata or Python Preferred / Learnable
Language: Excellent English
Exact Salary: Not Published
Application Format: Single PDF
Deadline: November 15, 2026
Status: Applications Open

🔎 SEO Keywords

University of Lucerne PhD 2027, Fully Funded PhD Switzerland 2027, University of Lucerne Fully Funded PhD, AI and Social Policy PhD, AI Political Economy PhD, Welfare State PhD 2027, ERC Funded PhD Switzerland, REPAIR PhD University of Lucerne, Social Policy PhD Switzerland, Political Science PhD Switzerland, Fully Funded PhD for International Students, PhD Opportunities Switzerland 2027, AI and Labour Market Research, Economics PhD Switzerland, Sociology PhD Switzerland, European Research Council PhD, PhD for Africans in Switzerland, PhD for Zimbabweans in Switzerland, International PhD Opportunities 2027, Vacancy Bridge.