PhD Position in Applied Marketing Research (m/f/d)

Universität St.Gallen (HSG); Schweiz; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of St.Gallen (HSG) invites applications for a full-time research associate position (100%) to pursue a doctorate in applied marketing research. The role offers interdisciplinary work, regular collaboration with companies on AI-driven marketing and access to an international network of executives. You will be supervised by Prof.

Dr. Reto Hofstetter, engage in empirical research, and contribute to publications in leading journals while benefiting from a collegial team and strong

Qualifications

• Outstanding Master's degree in business administration, economics, or related field with top grades.
• Excellent command of English and German (mandatory).
• Strong interest in innovative marketing, consumer behavior and AI.

Responsibilities

• Pursue a doctorate in applied marketing research at a leading European management school.
• Work as a full-time research associate (100%) under the university guidelines.
• Collaborate in interdisciplinary teams and publish empirical research in top journals.
• Engage with companies on AI-driven marketing, consumer behavior, and social media topics.
• Benefit from a strong executive network and individual supervision of your doctoral thesis.

Skills

Quantitative methods

English proficiency

German proficiency

Team collaboration

Initiative & flexibility

Python/R

Education

Master's degree in business administration or economics

Strong academic record (5.0 CH / 2.0 DE)

Tools

R

Python

Job description

• The opportunity to pursue a doctorate in applied marketing research at one of Europe's leading management schools
• A full-time research associate position (100%) in accordance with the guidelines of the University of St.Gallen
• Scientific work in an interdisciplinary team, with the opportunity to publish empirical research in leading international journals
• Hands-on collaboration with companies on current topics in AI-driven marketing, consumer behaviour, and social media
• Access to a high-caliber network of executives in marketing, communications, and sales
• Individual supervision of your doctoral thesis by Prof. Dr. Reto Hofstetter
• A collaborative working atmosphere in a dedicated and collegial team

Your tasks

• The opportunity to pursue a doctorate in applied marketing research at one of Europe's leading management schools
• A full-time research associate position (100%) in accordance with the guidelines of the University of St.Gallen
• Scientific work in an interdisciplinary team, with the opportunity to publish empirical research in leading international journals
• Hands-on collaboration with companies on current topics in AI-driven marketing, consumer behaviour, and social media
• Access to a high-caliber network of executives in marketing, communications, and sales
• Individual supervision of your doctoral thesis by Prof. Dr. Reto Hofstetter
• A collaborative working atmosphere in a dedicated and collegial team

What We Offer You

• The opportunity to pursue a doctorate in applied marketing research at one of Europe's leading management schools
• A full-time research associate position (100%) in accordance with the guidelines of the University of St.Gallen
• Scientific work in an interdisciplinary team, with the opportunity to publish empirical research in leading international journals
• Hands-on collaboration with companies on current topics in AI-driven marketing, consumer behaviour, and social media
• Access to a high-caliber network of executives in marketing, communications, and sales
• Individual supervision of your doctoral thesis by Prof. Dr. Reto Hofstetter
• A collaborative working atmosphere in a dedicated and collegial team

Your profile

• A strong interest in innovative research on marketing, consumer behaviour, and AI, and in its practical relevance
• Digital affinity and solid IT skills; experience with quantitative research methods (e.g., experimental design, statistics, R or Python) is an advantage
• A sense of responsibility, organizational talent, and a high degree of initiative and flexibility
• A professional and confident demeanor, strong commitment, team spirit, and accountability
• A keen willingness to learn and the ability to quickly familiarize yourself with new topics
• Excellent command of both English and German (mandatory)
• An outstanding university Master's degree in business administration, economics, or a related field (e.g., psychology, industrial engineering), with a minimum grade of 5.0 (CH) / 2.0 (DE). Degrees from universities of applied sciences, MBA, and MAS programmes are not accepted.

This is a full-time research associate position (100%), salaried in accordance with the university's guidelines.

The chair of Prof. Dr. Reto Hofstetter offers a young, highly motivated environment with excellent infrastructure. Our projects run in cooperation with top international universities (e.g., Columbia or Stanford) and leading companies. Regular conference participation helps you build your own international network early on.

The University of St.Gallen is among the leading business schools in Europe, with a large and active doctoral community.

Inspirational Work Environment

At the HSG, as Europe's leading business university, we operate in an entrepreneurial environment where you will meet highly qualified, ambitious experts - both regionally and internationally. For example, you benefit from a modern IT infrastructure and, in our library via HSGswisscovery, from nationwide access to the wealth of scientific information available.

Executive Education

We support internal and external executive education opportunities. Our internal executive education programme offers you a practical, dedicated and didactically mature transfer of knowledge in the form of seminars, e-learning, coaching and collegial advice. We support task-specific external training and executive education financially as well as with regard to the time required.

Network

We promote our culture of cross-functional collaboration and create space for forging valuable relationships - also with external partners. Regular exchanges and internal events help to strengthen these relationships and make them long-lasting.

Family & Career

We provide our employees with flexible work time models with a variable number of hours per week. As a family-friendly employer, we offer part-time positions, 16 weeks of maternity leave and a subsidised crèche, as well as support with childcare during the vacations.

Equal Opportunities

The University enables equal opportunities for all employees and students. This applies to degree courses and work, as well as academic careers, university management positions and the reconciliation of studies, work and private commitments. We are committed to this with various measures in the areas of teaching, research, administration and the Presidency.

Fit and Healthy

We help you stay fit and healthy. In addition to our diverse range of sports activities at the university, most of which are free of charge, and campaign weeks for corporate health management, we also offer you fruit in the workplace. In our canteen you will find a wide selection of freshly prepared meals - from vegetarian to fish dishes - at discounted prices.

Further information on working at the HSG can be found here.

University of St.Gallen

«A place where knowledge is created» - As one of Europe's leading universities of economics and business administration, the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, is committed to the education of over 10'000 students. The HSG is one of the largest employers in the region and provides an attractive and innovative environment for more than 3'800 researchers, educators and professional staff.