University of Bern Project Description
Early PostDoc Position on the Governance of Climate Extremes
Start Date 01.12.2026 or upon agreement
Employment Relationship 80-100%, fixed-term
Institution / Workplace NCCR CLIM+ Bern
About us
The NCCR CLIM+ is a new National Center of Competence in Research that establishes the first fully interdisciplinary, Switzerland-wide climate research community. NCCR CLIM+ aims to tackle pressing issues related to climate extremes such as heatwaves, floods, heavy rainfalls, droughts, wildfires, and further compound events. The research programme will interact with stakeholders ranging from public health to finance, agriculture, and water management to produce actionable solutions related to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Further information about NCCR CLIM+ can be found on:
To facilitate cross-disciplinary communication and stakeholder engagement, NCCR CLIM+ will develop storylines of plausible futures encompassing the physical and social dimensions of extreme climate outcomes. The storylines offer narratives that allow our interdisciplinary research team to carefully assess co-benefits and trade-offs in the transformation towards a climate-resilient society.
The Early PostDoc will be affiliated with Prof. Karin Ingold at Uni Bern, located at the Institute of Political Science, and in close collaboration with the Uni Bern Management Center of the NCCR
Job description
The main responsibilities of the Early PostDoc are:
- Research about drought management and water conflicts in agriculture and between different sectors, focusing on user and protection conflicts under climate extremes in general, high and low waters in particular.
- Interest to work on Swiss case studies and to apply different methods in social science research (e.g., social network analysis, content analysis, process tracing)
- Willingness to collaborate across disciplines (typically political science, justice, ethics and sustainability transitions) and workpackages (impact studies, agricultural sciences, and hydrology)
Your profile
• PhD in political science, social sciences, environmental social sciences
• Broad knowledge or interest about the impacts of droughts, heat, floods and compound events on agricultural systems in particular, and about climate extremes and society in general; water user and protection conflicts
• Integrative personality with interest in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary work at the interface of agriculture, water systems, climate and social science
• Curious, creative and comfortable working in exploratory settings
• Excellent command of English, - willingness to engage with stakeholders (i.e. during living labs, focus groups, etc.), and fluency either in German or French.
The salary follows University of Bern and Swiss National Science Foundation regulations
Your Benefits
- Collaborative environment and ambitious team
- Healthy corporate culture and good working atmosphere
- Inspiring work environment
- University sports
Working at the University of Bern
The University of Bern not only offers exciting tasks but also an environment that actively promotes development, diversity, and equal opportunities. Discover what makes us stand out as an employer and how you can grow with us.
Application and Contact
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:
• CV
• Letter of Motivation
• Names of 2 references
• Copy of PhD Diploma
The deadline for submissions is 31.10.2026.
Review of the applications will start end of October and Interview are planned mid-November.
Applications are expected to be submitted electronically as one pdf-file to info.climplus@unibe.ch
Questions about the position?
Karin Ingold karin.ingold@unibe.ch
Questions about the application?
info.climplus@unibe.ch
