About the University

The University of Lucerne is a modern, personal and dynamic human sciences university at the heart of Switzerland and Europe. In keeping with our guiding principle 'Moving Human Sciences', we focus on people and their institutions with our six faculties and two academies. Our aim is to develop the University of Lucerne into a pioneering, internationally visible centre for research and teaching in the human sciences.

The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences and Psychology conducts innovative research that strengthens professional care in Switzerland and helps position Lucerne as an international centre for research in the human sciences. It currently offers Bachelor's and postgraduate programmes, with a Master's programme set to launch in 2027. The faculty also runs a state-of-the-art practical training clinic and behavioural science laboratories.

The Position

As of the 1 February 2028 or by agreement, the Zug Institute for Blockchain Research and the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences and Psychology invite applications for a Professor of Psychology and Blockchain (100%, open rank).

In this position, you will play an active role in establishing and developing the interdisciplinary Zug Institute for Blockchain Research (ZIBR) at the University of Lucerne. Located in the Canton of Zug, the Institute is planned to comprise a total of nine professorships from four different faculties of the University of Lucerne. Its research will address the societal, political, legal, economic, and health-related implications of blockchain technology. The aim is to establish an institute for blockchain research from a humanities and social sciences perspective that is unique worldwide in terms of its breadth and diversity.

As the successful candidate, you will be responsible for the field of Psychology and Blockchain. Your proven record of research and teaching in an area of psychology complements the faculty's existing professorships, such as social psychology, cognitive psychology, personality psychology, or another relevant field. Your research may cover the full breadth of your respective area of specialization.

You will apply your theoretical and methodological expertise in innovative ways to research questions related to blockchain technologies and decentralized digital systems, as well as, where appropriate, adjacent data- and AI-based technologies. Potential research topics include cognitive, emotional, and social processes involved in the use of and interaction with blockchain technologies and algorithmic systems, as well as the application of these technologies to promote trust, decision quality, transparency, and quality in science and healthcare-particularly in the handling of patient data-as well as resilience and sustainability.

In this way, your research programme will complement and broaden the faculty's existing areas of expertise. You will teach courses in your respective field at the Bachelor level and contribute your expertise to teaching at the Master level and to the doctoral programme. You will also be expected to attract external research funding and to establish an innovative research programme with international visibility.

Your Profile

You hold a degree in psychology and have a strong academic background in, as well as enthusiasm for teaching, a core area of psychology such as social psychology, cognitive psychology, personality psychology, emotion and motivation psychology, or a related field.

In your area of expertise, you have a strong record of relevant peer-reviewed publications, success in securing competitive external research funding, and demonstrated teaching expertise. You have experience in independently conducting research and teaching. Experience in leading your own research group is an advantage.

In addition to your academic qualifications, you demonstrate a strong ability to collaborate and integrate effectively within an interdisciplinary environment. You actively contribute to the University's academic self-governance and are open to cross-faculty collaboration in teaching and research.

The position may be filled at the level of full professor or associate professor, or as an assistant professor with tenure track. Appointment as a full professor requires a completed habilitation or an equivalent academic qualification. Appointment as an assistant professor requires a doctoral degree as well as a proposed habilitation project in the field of psychology. Part-time employment is possible and subject to negotiation.

German language proficiency at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages should already be demonstrated or must be acquired within a reasonable period of time.

As Professor of Psychology and Blockchain at the University of Lucerne, you will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the development of a new faculty and to play an active role in the further development of the psychology degree programme and its research specializations.

Terms and Contact

The terms and conditions of employment are governed by the personnel law of the Canton of Lucerne.

For general enquiries regarding the appointment procedure, please contact the Chair of the Appointment Committee, Prof. Dr. Andrew Gloster (berufungen-vpf@unilu.ch). For questions regarding the Zug Institute for Blockchain Research, please contact Prof. Dr. Alexander Trechsel (alexander.trechsel@unilu.ch).

The application deadline is 29 November 2026. Please submit your application in accordance with the requirements set out in our application guidelines via the following link: application platform.

The trial lectures and interviews with shortlisted candidates will take place on 16 and 17 February 2027.