PhD Student in Sustainable Finance and Climate Risk

Are you a highly motivated and intellectually curious individual passionate about the intersection of finance, climate change, and corporate strategy? Do you want to contribute cutting-edge research that informs investment decisions and shapes the future of sustainable finance? The Sustainable Finance Group (SustFin) within the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics of ETH Zurich is inviting applications for a fully funded, four-year doctoral position focused on the financial implications of climate risk. This PhD project, jointly supervised by Assistant Professor Thomas Giroux (Chair of Sustainable Finance, ETH Zurich) and Senior Researcher Chiara Colesanti Senni (Finance department, University of Zurich), offers an outstanding opportunity to engage with urgent, real-world sustainability challenges. By combining rigorous academic inquiry with practical relevance, the project will provide a stimulating research environment at the intersection of finance, climate science, and public policy. Job description This PhD position will contribute to a pioneering research agenda, exploring the multifaceted impacts of climate change on corporate activities and financial markets. The successful candidate will conduct independent research across two interconnected themes: Quality of Transition Plans, Asset Pricing and Investment Decisions: You will investigate the robustness and credibility of corporate climate transition plans. This includes analyzing how the quality of these plans is perceived by the market, their implications for real-world decarbonation, and how various stakeholders (investors, lenders, insurers) integrate this information into their investment and lending decisions, including an asset-pricing analysis of these implications. Impact of Physical Risk on Companies' Activities (including scenarios and using satellite data): This theme focuses on quantifying and assessing the financial impacts of physical climate and nature risks on corporate operations and assets. You will develop and apply advanced methodologies, including scenario analysis and the innovative use of satellite data, to model the exposure and vulnerability of companies to climate-related hazards (e.g., floods, droughts, extreme weather events) and relate it to investments decisions, innovations and other channels of business models transition and adaptation. Profile We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with: A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Environmental Science, Data Science, Quantitative Social Sciences, or a related field with a strong quantitative component. Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, including proficiency in statistical software (e.g., Python, R). Demonstrated interest in climate change, sustainable finance, and corporate sustainability. Strong written and oral communication skills in English. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Prior experience with large datasets, econometrics, or geospatial analysis is a strong asset.

ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.