PhD Position in Marketing Management and Consumer Behavior (m/f/d)

University of St.Gallen; Schweiz; On-site; CHF 70,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of St.Gallen invites applications for a full-time research associate position at the intersection of consumer behavior, marketing and technology. You will conduct independent research, apply theory to digital marketing contexts, and collaborate with leading Swiss and international partners.

You will run online experiments using Qualtrics/Prolific, analyze data with Python or R, and contribute to journals.

Qualifications

• Above-average degree in business administration, economics, psychology, computer science, data science, or related fields.
• Strong interest in scientific questions related to digital marketing and technology/AI in marketing.
• High level of personal initiative and goal orientation.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; knowledge of German is beneficial.
• Proficiency in statistics and, ideally, basic coding skills in R/Python.
• Exceptional analytical and conceptual abilities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research at the intersection of consumer behavior, marketing and technology (e.g., AI, AR/VR, Social Media).
• Apply and develop consumer behavior theory in the context of new technologies in marketing.
• Conduct empirical research using online experiments/surveys (e.g., Qualtrics and Prolific) and statistical analyses using Python or R.
• Partner with leading Swiss and international companies in applied research projects at the intersection of technology and marketing.

Skills

English proficiency

Statistics

Python

R

Analytical thinking

Initiative

Education

Above-average degree in business administration, economics, psychology, computer science, data science, or related fields

Tools

Qualtrics

Prolific

Python

R

Job description

• Conduct independent research at the intersection of consumer behavior, marketing and technology (e.g., (agentic) AI, AR/VR, Social Media)
• Apply and develop consumer behavior theory in the context of new technologies in marketing
• Conduct empirical research using online experiments/surveys (e.g., Qualtrics and Prolific) and conduct statistical data analyses using Python or R
• Partner with leading Swiss and international companies in applied research projects at the intersection of technology and marketing

Your tasks

• Conduct independent research at the intersection of consumer behavior, marketing and technology (e.g., (agentic) AI, AR/VR, Social Media)
• Apply and develop consumer behavior theory in the context of new technologies in marketing
• Conduct empirical research using online experiments/surveys (e.g., Qualtrics and Prolific) and conduct statistical data analyses using Python or R
• Partner with leading Swiss and international companies in applied research projects at the intersection of technology and marketing

Your profile

• An above-average degree in business administration, economics, psychology, computer science, data science, or related fields
• Strong interest in scientific questions related to the fields of digital marketing and technology/AI in marketing
• A high level of personal initiative and goal orientation
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; knowledge of German is beneficial
• Proficiency in statistics and, ideally, basic coding skills in R/Python
• Exceptional analytical and conceptual abilities

Application Procedure

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. You will have the freedom to pursue your own research agenda, the time to do it properly, and financial support for your projects, from data collection and participant incentives to conference travel. We encourage you to publish in top-tier journals (e.g., JCR, JMR) and support your development through continued training at international institutions (e.g., GSERM, University of Michigan, ESADE). 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.

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.