The LUS Doctoral Programme

The LUS Institute investigates landscapes, territories, and settlements – and the human and more-than-human relations that shape them – across scales and geographies, from Switzerland and Europe to diverse contexts throughout the so-called Global North and Global South.

Its research examines the spatial, environmental, political, (geo)historical, and more-than-human relations through which contemporary environments are produced, contested, and continually reshaped. The Institute engages with a broad set of interconnected themes that explore how these environments evolve. Core areas of inquiry include territorial and urban transformation; post-industrial and resource-affected territories; and the global–local entanglements that drive ongoing urbanisation processes. These interests are complemented by research into more-than-human and multispecies spatialities, foregrounding ecological interdependencies within changing landscapes.

Research projects address topics such as designed ecologies, energy transitions, housing, agroecology, hydrology, biodiversity and ecosystem processes, regenerative systems, and adaptive territorial infrastructures. Additional areas of focus include more-than-human landscapes, Indigenous territorialities, and socio-ecological and socio-economic transitions, and climate adaptation – together offering a comprehensive lens on the challenges and potentials of present and future development of landscapes, territories, and settlements.

The doctoral programme adopts an inter- and transdisciplinary approach, integrating architecture, landscape architecture, urban and territorial design, planning, urban theory and history, as well as the social sciences. It welcomes a wide range of methodological approaches, spanning (geo)historical research into landscape and urban form, participatory and community-engaged methods, qualitative and ethnographic inquiry, as well as cartographic, spatial, and mapping techniques.

Participating Chairs at the LUS

The LUS Institute currently consists of seven chairs, each contributing uniquely to its diverse research landscape:

• Chair of History and Theory of Urban Design, Prof. Dr. Tom Avermaete
• Chair of Architecture and Housing, Prof. Maria Conen
• Chair of Landscape Architecture, Prof. Dr. Teresa Galí-Izard
• Chair of Architecture and Urban Design, Prof. Hubert Klumpner
• Chair of Architecture and Urban Transformation, Prof. Freek Persyn
• Chair of Architecture and Territorial Planning, Prof. Milica Topalovic
• Chair of Landscape Architecture, Prof. Martina Voser

Job description

The LUS fellowship will start on 1 October 2026, with a 100% workload, based in Zurich, and is fixed-term for three and a half years.

• The doctoral programme is conducted in English and currently has an enrolment of 15 participants. It encourages both individual research and collaborative engagement within the doctoral community, fostering a vibrant academic environment.
• It offers a variety of platforms for interaction and exchange, including the LUS methods seminar, institute-wide colloquia, workshops, and doctoral reviews.
• Embedded in the dynamic doctoral environment of the Department of Architecture (D-ARCH) at ETH Zurich, the LUS doctoral programme maintains an active collaboration with the doctoral programme at the Institute of History and Theory of Architecture (gta), ETH Zurich. This collaboration enhances interdisciplinary perspectives and expands research opportunities for participants.

While it is advantageous for proposed research to align with the individual and/or collective research agendas of the participating chairs at the LUS Institute, candidates are also encouraged to apply with independent research topics that resonate with the Institute’s broader areas of expertise and competencies.

Profile

We are seeking individuals with a background in:

• Architecture, landscape architecture, urban and territorial design and planning, and the social sciences, who have strong research or design experience and can benefit from the inter- and transdisciplinary engagements offered by the Institute
• Provisional acceptance in the LUS Doctoral Programme is contingent upon successful completion—prior to registration—of a university master’s degree (equivalent to FHEQ Level 7) in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning, social sciences, or related fields, in full accordance with ETH regulations
• Applicants should also demonstrate excellent research and writing skills

We offer

• The programme provides funding for up to three and a half years. Successful candidates will be employed at 100% Pensum under the ETH Zurich doctoral student contract, with monthly salaries based on standard ETH Zurich rates. For salary information, please refer here.
• You are required to take up residency in Zurich during the period of the scholarship. Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

Applications should be addressed directly to the Institute of Landscape and Urban Studies (LUS), rather than to individual professors. Please note that applications will be evaluated solely based on their content; applicants are therefore requested not to contact individual professors prior to applying.

We look forward to receiving your online application by 2 March 2026, 23:59 CET. Your application should include the following documents:

• Letter of Motivation (1 page).
• Outline for the Proposed Research Project (4 pages + addenda).

This document must include:

• Research title
• Abstract
• State-of-the-art review
• Clearly defined research questions
• Aims and objectives
• Anticipated formats for publication
• Rationale for why LUS is an ideal host

The main content must adhere to the 4-page limit, using 11 pt font and single-spacing. Supplementary pages may include up to three illustrations (maps, drawings, images), a bibliography, and a project timeline.

• Curriculum Vitae (including publications, portfolio, and work samples, maximum 10 pages).
• Published Piece of Writing (if available, 1 text, maximum 15 pages, please do not include longer texts).
• Names, Affiliations, and Email Addresses of 2 referees (your referees should not be part of LUS faculty).

Applications missing required documents or exceeding page limits will not be considered for evaluation.

Please do not include Language Certificates, Transcripts, or other document not listed.

The programme exclusively accepts application documents submitted through the ETH online application portal. Applications submitted via email or postal mail will not be considered.

Application Timeline

• 2 March 2026: Submission deadline (23:59 CET).
• April 2026: Notification to shortlisted candidates.
• Early May 2026: Interviews with shortlisted candidates.
• End of May 2026: Notification to successful applicant(s).
• 1 October 2026: Start of the programme.
  

Further Information

Applicants are asked to consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) before reaching out. If your question is not covered there, you may contact the doctoral programme coordinator, Nazlı Tümerdem, at tuemerdem@arch.ethz.ch. Requests sent to any other email addresses will not be considered.

You may apply via this link.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)