PhD position in Political Ecology / Critical Physical Geography (80%)

Introduction

The University of Lausanne (UNIL) is a higher teaching and research institution composed of seven faculties where nearly 17,000 students and 5,000 collaborators, professors, and researchers work and study between the Dorigny campus, along the Lake of Geneva, and the CHUV, Epalinges and Sion sites. As an employer, it encourages excellence, recognition of individuals and responsibility.

Presentation

The Institute of Geography and Sustainability (IGD) seeks to fill a

PhD position in Political Ecology / Critical Physical Geography (80%)

This position will be supervised by Professor Christian Kull. 

The IGD is an interdisciplinary community of about 130 academics that work in the fields of Geography and Sustainability. With 24 professors and lecturers, and more than 60 PhD students and Post-docs, the department offers a vibrant, stimulating environment for cutting-edge research. It hosts regular lecture series and distinguished guest researchers from around the world.

Job information

Starting date:     September 1, 2026 (or to be agreed)
Contract length: 1 year, renewable 2 x 2 years, maximum 5 years
Activity rate:       80% 
Workplace:        University of Lausanne, Institute of Geography and Sustainability, Géopolis, Lausanne, Switzerland

Your responsibilities

The successful candidate will develop personal research leading to a PhD in Geography, within the subfields of political ecology or critical physical geography. The research topic is open, with preference for those that demonstrate synergies with ongoing work by Professor Kull and the “Political ecologies” research collective of IGD. 

The successful candidate will dedicate at least half of their time to the PhD research, with the remainder dedicated to serving as a graduate assistant supporting Professor Christian Kull’s research and especially teaching in political ecology, epistemology of geographic and environmental research, and environmental geography. 

Your qualifications

•    Interest and experience in the social dimensions of environmental change or natural resource management issues in developing countries
•    Experience in empirical field research and in methods appropriate to the proposed research topic (or specific plans to acquire such skills)
•    Demonstrated familiarity with, and ability to engage critically in, theoretical debates in geography, political ecology and/or related critical social science fields, including the ability to mobilise theory in empirical research.
•    Ability (or interest to learn) to support teaching through activities such as running discussion groups, evaluating assignments, delivering a guest lecture, supporting students
•    Independence and initiative
•    Synergies with the supervisors' specific interests and field areas
•    Excellent reading, writing, and communications skills in both French and English (French is the main teaching language at UNIL)
•    Experience in the region and language of the proposed field site, if possible.

Disciplinary knowledge (Master certificate or equivalent)
Master's degree (or equivalent) in geography or allied fields.  

What the position offers you

The University of Lausanne, Institute of Geography and Sustainability, offers a stimulating work environment and atmosphere, with dedicated support for developing an academic career. Members of our institute become part of international networks and benefit from opportunities to attend conferences and workshops around the world. 

We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. Opportunities for professional training, a lot of activities and other benefits to discover.

Contact for further information

Professor Christian Kull : [email protected]

Your application

Deadline: 2 March 2026

Please submit the following documents in PDF format only via the career website of the University of Lausanne:

•    Motivation letter (maximum 1 ½ pages)
•    Full CV
•    A short initial proposal (2-3 pages) for the PhD project
•    Scans of university degrees and course transcripts/marks (please keep file size small but legible)
•    Writing samples:  (Master’s thesis; research paper, if available; other…)
•    List of three references and their contact information

Only applications submitted through the career website will be considered.

We thank you for your understanding.

Additional information

UNIL is committed to:
•    equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
•    ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
•    offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;
•    supporting early career researchers.

unil.ch/equality
unil.ch/families
unil.ch/graduatecampus