Based in Brig, UniDistance Suisse, an accredited university institute in accordance with the Swiss Higher Education Act (HEdA), has been offering bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes, further education and training courses in the faculties of Law, Psychology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics and History for over 30 years. These programmes and courses are designed to fit around family life or a professional or sporting career through a flexible, distance-learning model.

UniDistance Suisse is dedicated to the highest quality standards in teaching and research. The institute aims to obtain university status in 2027, becoming a Valais university and marking a major milestone in its history. With over 2,400 students, UniDistance Suisse is the leading distance-learning institution in Switzerland. Almost 350 of the institute’s 450 staff members from across Switzerland and abroad are involved in teaching and re- search activities and are recognised experts in their respective fields.

In the context of a history project financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation, titled Organised Business and Environmental Governance in Western Europe [1945–1995] and led by Professor Sabine Pitteloud, we are seeking applicants for the position of:

Place of work: Brig

Start date: 01.03.2026 or as agreed

Contract duration: Two years, with a possible extension until February 2029

• SNSF Postdoctoral Research

• Member of the team working on the project Organised Business and Environmental Governance in Western Europe [1945–1995], supervised by Prof. Sabien Pitteloud and hosted at UniDistance Suisse, Brig.

• The successful candidate will conduct original research that contributes to the overall objectives defined in the research project. The central aim of this project is to shed light on the responses of polluting industries to environmental demands and regulations, as well as discerning how these efforts were coordinated at a political level. Additionally, the research entails an exploration of the connections forged by business associations with the newly established environment ministries/agencies of the 1970s.

• See the project in detail on the FNS website  .

• Holder of a PhD in history or a related discipline, obtained by the contract start date at the latest.

• Specialisation in the fields of the history of capitalism, environmental history or the history of European integration and public policy.

• Timeframe specialisation: 20th century history, with a focus on the 1970s as an asset.

• Able to conduct research in the archives of governmental institutions and private archives.

• Mastering of qualitative historical methodologies. Knowledge of quantitative analysis tools would be an asset.

• Excellent spoken and written English. Good knowledge of Italian and/or other main languages required for the project (i.e. German and French). Proficiency in other languages would be an asset.

• The postdoctoral fellow would primarily focus on the Italian case. Topics of interest include Confindustria, sectoral associations, and the role of individual companies in influencing regulation; the involvement of Italian business dynasties such as the Pirelli and Agnelli families in environmental networks; and the contribution of state-owned enterprises to environmental debates.

• If the candidate can demonstrate that she/he could contribute meaningfully to other dimensions of the project or case studies (such as Swiss, German, French, or British companies and business associations; BIAC, UNICE, CEFIC), they are invited to briefly outline their concrete ideas in the motivation letter.

• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and/or collective works/special issues planned as part of the project.

• Archival research and data collection in Switzerland and abroad.

• Present the research at various conferences in Switzerland and abroad and contribute to the publication of the research results.

• Participate in the academic life of the Faculty of History at UniDistance Suisse, with a regular presence on campus.

• Take part in the organisation of scientific events related to the research project.

• A position at a fast-growing institution where you will consolidate and support the contemporary history research unit.

• The opportunity to strengthen your publications profile.

• Opportunities for collaboration and co-authorship.

• Working conditions are defined by the Swiss National Science Foundation and include a budget allocated to conferences and archival visits required for the project.

• Flexibility and possibility of remote work (≤ 50% of the working time).