PhD in Psychology of Sustainability and Behavior Change, 100%
Preferred starting date is January 1, 2027
The Faculty of Psychology is one of seven faculties of the oldest university in Switzerland. With our core focus on Society & Choice and Health & Interventions, we are successful both nationally and internationally in our research and study programs.
The PhD candidate will join the newly established research group Sustainability and Behavior Change. The group combines methods and insights from different fields of the behavioral sciences to understand how environments and behavior change interventions can be designed to systematically promote pro-environmental behaviors.
The PhD project will contribute to this research program by experimentally examining human behaviors of environmental relevance. To this end, it will make use of laboratory procedures (e.g., decision-making tasks, bicycle simulators) and consequential online tasks to study general principles of behavior and behavior change. In field experiments, these principles will then be applied to design interventions for the promotion of pro-environmental behavior in selected domains (e.g., food choice, transportation, consumption, animal conservation).
Your position
- Design new or modify existing behavioral tasks for the study of pro-environmental behavior
- Conceptualize, design, conduct, and analyze laboratory and online experiments on the determinants and consequences of pro-environmental behavior
- Conceptualize, design, conduct, and analyze field experiments testing interventions for promoting pro-environmental behavior change
- Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations
- Contribute to teaching activities (e.g., seminars, examinations)
- Supervise student researchers (e.g., bachelor's and master's theses)
- Contribute to organizational tasks within the research group
Your profile
- You have a very good master's degree in Psychology or a closely-related discipline.
- You are interested in pro-environmental behavior and behavior change.
- You have excellent knowledge of research methods and statistics and are interested in learning new methodological approaches. Experience running laboratory studies or field experiments is a plus.
- You can analyse datasets using statistical software.
- You have experience designing computerized behavioral tasks or are willing to acquire the necessary skills.
- You are proficient in both English and German and can communicate effectively with researchers, research participants, students, and other stakeholders.
- You are organized, proactive, and able to work independently and reliably.
- You enjoy working collaboratively in a research team.
We offer you
- The opportunity to pursue your own research ideas in a societally relevant domain
- Involvement in the research group's projects as well as national and international collaboration opportunities
- Opportunities to present your work at international conferences and workshops and to undertake research visits with collaborating researchers and institutions
- Participation in an active doctoral program in the research area Society & Choice, with opportunities to attend courses, seminars, and guest lectures
- Employment conditions according to university guidelines for doctoral candidates
- The position is initially limited to 1 year. Upon positive evaluation, the position will be extended for an additional 3 years.
Basel is situated in Switzerland, at the borders to France and Germany. It's a vibrant and welcoming city, and an excellent place to live and work. Quality of life, health care, and public transportation meet the highest standards.
The University of Basel stands for excellence through diversity and is committed to equal opportunities and family-friendliness.
Please submit your application via the online portal (applications through other channels will not be considered). Please include your name in the file name of the files you upload. Your application should consist of:
- A 1-1.5-page cover letter describing your research interests, relevant experience, and fit with the position
- Your curriculum vitae
- Relevant certificates
- The contact details of one academic referee
- One scientific contribution you authored (e.g., your bachelor's or master's thesis; a manuscript; a journal article).
Applications should be submitted not later than October 12, 2026.
In-person interviews will take place in the week of November 9, 2026 in Basel.
Please do not hesitate to send us an email for further inquiries. For questions related to tasks and the job profile please contact Prof. Dr. Florian Lange, florian.lange@unibas.ch. For questions about the application process please contact Andrea Andretta at hr-psychologie@unibas.ch. We are looking forward to receiving your application!
