* Apologies for cross-posting - Dear colleagues Nathalie Giger (University of Geneva) and I are looking for two PhD candidates (one at the University of Basel, one at the University of Geneva) and one Post-Doc (University of Geneva) for the project "Electoral choice. Which role does legislators' quality play", which is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF). This project is a collaboration of the University of Basel and the University of Geneva together with a team of international experts. Project description This project examines the quality of politicians, with a particular focus on how citizens assess it. Beyond ideology, we explore whether MPs can effectively perform and implement their ideas - something shaped by their effort and policy influence. The project develops a comprehensive index of MP quality always with a close focus on which qualities voters value most. In a second step, we analyze how these factors influence vote choice, and how the role of quality in elections can be strengthened. Empirically, the project combines surveys, survey experiments, and text-as-data methods. More information on the project can be found here: https://data.snf.ch/grants/grant/10005555 Application deadline for all positions is 15th December 2025. Interviews are scheduled for January 2026. Start date for all positions is 1st March 2026 (or to be discussed). If you have any further questions about the positions, please contact us (nathalie.giger@unige.ch<mailto:nathalie.giger@unige.ch> or stefanie.bailer@unibas.ch<mailto:stefanie.bailer@unibas.ch>). Best wishes Stefanie Bailer and Nathalie Giger Please find the job descriptions and links for the applications portals below: PhD Position in Basel (100%) Required qualifications and skills * Master in Political Science or related field * Strong skills in quantitative methods and a strong command of R or another statistical programme * Motivation to conduct independent research on your PhD as well as work together with an international team of researchers * Interest in research on legislators and voters * Fluency in written and spoken English Additional information on the position We offer: * A joint research project (University of Basel and Geneva) in which you can set your own research focus * A position for four years * Salary and social benefits according to the University of Basel and SNF rules * Resources to conduct your own research and participate in international conferences and summer schools * Membership in the Graduate School of Social Sciences (G3S) * An international research environment Application and contact Please submit the following documents: * A cover letter describing your motivation, research interests and how you would fit into the project * CV including names for references * One writing sample, for example a seminar paper or master thesis * Copies of relevant diplomas and certificates Submit your application for Basel here https://jobs.unibas.ch/offene-stellen/phd-position-in-political-science/8f6185b7-ce3b-4df9-9d3e-412c62542e45 PhD Position in Geneva (75%) Required qualifications and skills * Master in political science or related field * An interest in questions of political behavior (voters and legislators) * Good knowledge of quantitative methods and a strong command of R or another statistical program * Fluency in English, knowledge of French and/or German is an advantage * Ability to work both independently and in a team Other required skills You will design and conduct your own empirical research, situated in the broader SNF project described above. You will have the opportunity to complete a doctoral thesis in political science under the supervision of Prof. Nathalie Giger, within the framework of the project. You will actively participate in the research and training opportunities offered at the department and within the CUSO programme. Collaborations within the larger research project or with other members of the department is encouraged. Additional information on the position * A joint research project (University of Basel and Geneva) in which you can set your own research focus * A position for four years (max) * An international research environment * Resources to conduct your own research and participate in international conferences and summer schools * The salary will be in accordance with the regulations of the Swiss National Science Foundation * The chosen candidate will initially be hired on a 1-year contract renewable, with a maximum duration of 4 years. Application and contact The application, including a motivation letter (in English) stating why you want to participate in the project and why you want to pursue PhD research, a detailed CV, the name of two references, transcripts of records from your Bachelor and Master studies as well as an example of written research (ideally your Master thesis), has to be submitted exclusively online using the "Postuler/apply now" button below before the date mentioned above (23h59 Geneva time). No paper applications will be accepted. https://jobs.unige.ch/www/wd_portal.show_job?p_web_site_id=1&p_web_page_id=72528 Note on PhD positions It is possible to apply for both PhD positions. In this case, please indicate whether you prefer one of them. Salary and workload for the PhD positions are identical in Basel and Geneva. However, the position in Geneva is denoted as 75% and in Basel 100%. Post-Doc Position in Geneva (80%) The successful candidate will contribute to the following tasks: * Setting up and monitoring data collections for cross-national survey and field experiment in Switzerland * Statistical analysis of this data * writing of academic journal articles independently and in teams Required qualifications and skills The successful candidate will either hold a PhD in the field of political science or a related field, obtained within the last 5 years (date of defense) at the time of appointment or be very close to submitting the final PhD thesis. Other required skills * Interest in questions of political behavior in comparative perspective * Very good knowledge of quantitative methods and a strong command of R or another statistical program * Experience or at least interest in experimental methods in the social sciences, experience in field experiments is an asset * Ability to work both independently and in a team * Fluency in written and spoken English, knowledge of French and/or German is an advantage Additional information on the position The duration of the appointment is four years from the date of taking up the post. The salary is in accordance with the regulations of the Swiss National Science Foundation. Application and contact Applications, including a letter of motivation, a CV, copies of diplomas, transcripts, a list of publications and two letters of reference, must be submitted exclusively online by clicking on the button below "Apply/Apply now" before the deadline indicated above (23:59 Geneva time). No paper applications will be accepted. https://jobs.unige.ch/www/wd_portal.show_job?p_web_site_id=1&p_web_page_id=72529 _______________________________ Prof Stefanie Bailer University of Basel Political Science Bernoullistrasse 14/16 CH-4056 Basel Phone: -41-61-207 1381 stefanie.bailer@unibas.ch<mailto:stefanie.bailer@unibas.ch> http://stefaniebailer.org/ New: "Transparency matters: the positive side of politicians' side income disclosure on voters' perceptions" (2025), EJPR<https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-journal-of-political-research/article/transparency-matters-the-positive-effect-of-politicians-side-income-disclosure-on-voters-perceptions/2850DF9973B802846E2469A5A9A99417> "An Early Leak in the Pipeline - Online Abuse as a Barrier for Young Women's Political Engagement" (2025), JWPP<https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1554477X.2025.2552573> "Constituency references in social media: MPs' usage and voters' reaction" (2025), EJPR<https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1475-6765.70018> "Politicians' Theories of Voting Behavior" (2025), APSR<https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/politicians-theories-of-voting-behavior/E73E1B173B30EC11DFB413FA3E3160D1>