Anschubstipendium im Doktoratsprogramm "Recht im Wandel" University of Basel in Switzerland

The Faculty of Law at the University of Basel is advertising a one-year start-up scholarship (Anschubstipendium) worth CHF 30,000 for the doctoral program Recht im Wandel (“Law in Transition”). This is a PhD-oriented opportunity for candidates who want to begin a dissertation in a dynamic, interdisciplinary legal research environment at one of Switzerland’s oldest law faculties.

The scholarship is designed as bridge funding for the early phase of doctoral study. Its purpose is to give the doctoral researcher time to develop a strong external funding application for continuation of the project, for example with the Swiss National Science Foundation or another funding body. The doctoral program itself runs for three years and includes an educational module that concludes with 18 ECTS credits.

Research proposals may fit one of three thematic pillars: technical change, social change, or economic change. The technical change area currently includes topics such as biotechnology, life sciences law, data governance, artificial intelligence, law and robots, blockchain, and legal issues arising from medical progress. The social change pillar welcomes work on the legal implications of globalization, digitalization, migration, and religious pluralization. The economic change pillar includes data protection, transparency and accountability, Swiss economic law and its relationship to European economic law, the internationalization of public economic law, and the impact of IFRS.

Eligibility normally requires a master’s or licentiate degree in law from a Swiss law faculty, or an equivalent degree from a recognized foreign university. A minimum grade of 5.0 on the Swiss scale, or an equivalent result, is required. Candidates nearing the end of their studies or applicants from other disciplines may be admitted subject to the doctoral committee’s decision and possible conditions, in consultation with the expected primary supervisor. A supervision commitment is required, and the time between the degree/state examination and application should usually not exceed two years. Applicants should also demonstrate strong motivation for scholarly work, willingness to work interdisciplinarily, and passive English and German language skills.

The post offers the chance to join an internationally connected and modern faculty with opportunities for teaching, publication during the doctorate, and cross-disciplinary exchange. Applications must be submitted via the University of Basel online portal. Required documents include the scholarship application form, a motivation letter specifying one of the three thematic pillars, a provisional dissertation title and short project description (maximum five pages), a CV, and copies of degree certificates/transcripts.

Questions can be directed to doktoratsprogramm-ius@unibas.ch. Further information about the doctoral program is available at the program webpage.