Ph.D. Student Position within the Behavioral Marketing Group

August 1st, 2016, or later at the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Basel, Switzerland. Would you enjoy developing psychological theory of behavior within markets? Then consider this position.

The group will be established as of August 2016 by Prof. C. Miguel Brendl, PhD, currently still at Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management and Psychology Department. We seek applicants who are enthusiastic about pursuing a research-oriented academic career, either in marketing or in psychology (consumer, economic, social). You can study either toward a PhD in business/economics or in psychology.

The Behavioral Marketing Group

We investigate how people form the preferences that underlie their judgments and decisions. Behaviors include buying decisions, consummatory behavior (e.g., eating, social media activity), investment decisions (e.g., saving for retirement), voting, or brand preferences.

We draw on theory of motivation, emotion, learning, aesthetics, and (social) cognition. Current projects involve: 1. Understanding differences between impulsive motivation (wanting, desire) and hedonic feelings (liking) and their respective influences on behavior. 2. Reversing negative emotional brand associations. 3. Psychological differences between gains and losses.

For details please visit Prof. Brendl's homepage at the Kellogg School (see link below).

What is Unique About our Offering?

Publishing in the premier academic journals of behavioral marketing requires expertise not only in marketing, but also in psychology. PhD training in Basel is unique in that we offer expertise in both fields, and we truly merge them. In addition, we are couched in an environment where researchers from the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Department for Social, Economic, and Decision Psychology at the Faculty of Psychology maintain close cross-disciplinary ties, such as through the Bernoulli Network for the Behavioral Sciences. The behavioral marketing group will play a pivotal role in expanding these ties. Former students of Prof. Brendl have been offered Assistant Professor positions at globally leading business departments, such as at Cornell University, Carnegie Mellon University, London Business School, or New York University.

Responsibilities

You support teaching (e.g., exam development and grading) and guide thesis research at the bachelor and master level. You might teach on occasion, but do not have to teach your own courses. You also participate in the self-administration of the behavioral marketing group.

Applicant Profile

We seek applicants who appreciate working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment and who would be excited about being part of building a new research group. Applicants should have excellent training in statistics and a willingness to learn implementing computer-based experiments (e.g., in PsychoPy, including simple Python extensions) and analyze complex data (e.g., in R).

Your prior degrees could be in business, economics, psychology, or a different discipline. However, you have to meet the requirements of the PhD program of either the business/economics department or the psychology department of the University of Basel, or make-up work may be required. We will work with you to explore your options.

Employment Conditions

The salary level is very competitive by international standards and will be according to the guidelines of the University of Basel (information available upon request). Contract duration is for four years (one plus three). Whereas good command of English is essential, German language skills are not a pre-condition, but are beneficial.

Do not hesitate to email with questions. We are looking forward to your application!

Prof. C. Miguel Brendl, PhD

Website Prof. Brendl 

PhD guidelines business

PhD guidelines psychology

City of Basel