PhD Position in Public Administration / Political Science

The KPM Center for Public Management at the University of Bern is seeking a doctoral candidate as of September 1, 2025 or by arrangement.

The position is limited to 4 years.

Are you interested in why public administrations have to operate in increasingly challenging circumstances? Why they frequently come under pressure from politicians and the media? Are you passionate about improving the functioning of the public sector in this more demanding environment? Do you enjoy engaging in research and want to become part of an international research community? If you answered these questions with “yes”, then this job is for you!

We are a nationally and internationally renowned research center in the field of administrative science. As an interfaculty unit of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Law, we are committed to interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research between the disciplines of political science, public management and public law.

The doctorate is part of the SNSF-funded research project “Public Administration under Pressure”, which begins in September 2025, is scheduled to run for four years and includes a collaboration with the Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP). The project will investigate the various pressures that public administrations face, how they adapt to these challenges, and the implications for their performance. The successful candidate will work in the “Political Science” team with Prof. Dr. Fritz Sager at the KPM Center for Public Management in Bern.

Tasks

• Completion of a doctoral thesis in the context of the aforementioned research project
• Participation in scientific conferences

Requirements

• Master's degree in public administration, political science, or related disciplines with a grade of 5 or above (Swiss grading system, 5 equals “good”).
• Basic knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative methods, and willingness to refine and improve your methodological skills
• Passionate about research and willingness to work independently
• Reliable and creative personality
• Very good knowledge of German and English
• Knowledge in French is an asset
• Knowledge of the Swiss political and administrative system is an asset

We offer

• Challenging and diverse work in a motivated and dynamic team
• Access to (inter)national training programs
• Flexible working hours and possibility to partly work from home
• High degree of independence
• Use of the university sports facilities
• Cantonal employment with benefits as part of university employment
• Attractive workplace close to Bern train station

Application & contact

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Fritz Sager: fritz.sager@unibe.ch

We look forward to receiving your electronic application in a single PDF document by May 15, 2025. Please send it to fritz.sager@unibe.ch.