Post-Doctoral Fellow (80%)

Who are we?

The Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training SFUVET is Switzerland's expert organization for vocational education and training. It offers basic and continuing training to VET professionals, conducts VET research, contributes to the development of occupations and supports international cooperation in vocational and professional education and training. It has regional campuses in Zollikofen near Bern (main campus), Lausanne and Lugano as well as off-campus space in Olten and Zurich.

As part of the Leading House for Governance in Vocational and Professional Education GOVPET, the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training is looking for a

Post-Doctoral Fellow (80%)

Five-year project (July 2026 to June 2031); position to start as soon as possible, by agreement.

Your activities

• Conducting collaborative and individual research activities within the GOVPET Leading House context
• Disseminating results by means of publications and presentations
• Cooperating in the planning and implementation of GOVPET activities
• Developing your own research profile
• Cooperating with the members of the GOPVET Leading House and the Swiss Observatory for Vocational Education and Training OBS SFUVET as well as national and international partners

Requirements

• PhD in a relevant discipline ( political science, sociology, educational science)
• Interest in theory-driven empirical research on the topic of vocational education and training and related fields
• Excellent training in social science methodology (qualitative and/or quantitative research methods). Interest in carrying out field research ( , expert interviews)
• Interest in researching current challenges for stakeholders in skill formation systems ( , digital and ecological transitions, social inequality) and related questions of educational governance
• Relevant track-record of innovative research
• Very good knowledge of English and very good knowledge of German or French

What we offer

We provide the opportunity to actively contribute to the production of knowledge within the framework of the GOVPET Leading House and OBS SFUVET. We offer a variety of activities, a dynamic environment and a wide range of cooperation opportunities. Within the confines of the overall project, the successful applicant will have freedom to develop their own independent research. The post-doctoral fellow is expected to join GOVPET’s activities such as research workshops and the regular meetings with the prestigious academic advisory board. The position offers opportunities to attend scientific conferences and further training. As a university accredited by swissuniversities, SFUVET is committed to diversity and equal opportunities, participation and sustainability.

The research project
The GOVPET Leading House is concerned with how skill formation, labor markets, and modern economies more generally adapt to contemporary challenges associated with, for example, technological change, the eco-social transition, and skill shortages. GOVPET is studying Switzerland as well as other advanced democracies and brings together researchers from the University of St. Gallen, the University of Lausanne, and SFUVET. The GOVPET project’s third funding phase runs from July 2026 to June 2031 (five years). The position is funded for the full duration of the project (until June 2031). For more information on GOVPET, please visit GOVPET is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI.

Should you require further information, contact Prof. Dr. Lukas Graf, head of the Swiss Observatory for Vocational Education and Training OBS SFUVET and co-lead of the GOVPET Leading House (

We look forward to receiving your complete set of application documents (letter of motivation, CV, copies of relevant certificates, two publications, and the names of two referees) by 10 June 2026 via our recruitment tool.

Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training SFUVET
Kirchlindachstrasse 79
CH-3052 Zollikofen

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