Core tasks

• Contribute to the development of a grant proposal to be submitted to the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), in close collaboration with the project lead.
• Bring in and develop own ideas to complement and expand the existing research agenda; intellectual initiative is explicitly encouraged.
• Design and conduct initial empirical work, including data collection and preliminary analyses, to support the proposal and future project development.
• Engage with relevant academic literature and contribute to the theoretical and methodological advancement of the project.
• Collaborate on scholarly outputs, including the preparation of joint publications (as applicable to the project timeline).

The position is initially offered for 1 year at 65% employment, with strong potential for extension if external funding is successfully secured.

Project Summary
This project aims to examine how for-profit firms can legitimately implement an organizational purpose that extends beyond profit maximization. While the idea of purpose has gained increasing attention in both research and practice, questions remain about how such purpose can be made legitimate in the eyes of diverse stakeholders. The project draws broadly on literature from organizational legitimacy, purpose implementation, stakeholder perceptions, and moral psychology.
Using a multilevel perspective, we are particularly interested in how individuals and groups form judgments about the motives behind corporate purpose and how these judgments influence engagement and implementation processes. Topics such as institutional entrepreneurship, employee perceptions, and ideological tensions offer promising entry points, but we are also open to new ideas and directions that contribute to this evolving field.

Expected professional profile

• PhD degree (completed or close to completion) in Management, Psychology, Sociology, or related fields.
• Research expertise and profound interest in organizational purpose and/or legitimacy theory.
• Strong quantitative and/or qualitative research skills and experience in designing and conducting empirical research.
• Outstanding English communication and writing skills. Knowledge of German is beneficial but not required.

Application Materials
Please submit the following documents as a single PDF file:

• A short cover letter (max. 2 pages) outlining your motivation, fit with the position, and how your background aligns with the responsibilities and requirements.
• A writing sample (e.g., a published article, manuscript, or a chapter from your PhD thesis).
• Your curriculum vitae (CV).
• Copies of your BA/BSc, MA/MSc, and PhD degree certificates and transcripts. If you have not yet completed your PhD, please indicate your expected completion date.