项目介绍

2025年4月1日

The Department of Sociology at the University of Zurich looks back on more than 50 years of active research and teaching. It is one of the leading empirically oriented institutes in Switzerland and Europe. The basic understanding is based on theory-driven empirical social research with a strong focus on quantitative methods.

Your responsibilities

Our group does theoretically motivated research on relevant issues in the fields of economics and society, often on the basis of large population data collected over several decades or sometimes centuries. Data is combined from various sources, such as historical primary sources, surveys or ethnographics.

As part of our group, you will conduct research in one of our subject areas that best match your and our interests and your profile. Here is a small but not exhaustive list of our current research questions:
(1) We examine the rise of top salaries and internationalized talent against the backdrop of increasing perceived social inequality, the failure of meritocracy and globalization.
(2) We explore the consequences of the emancipation of women and the rise of affluent societies for labor and partnership markets as well as fertility rates. Here we particulary focus on educational elites in societies and their role in this change.
(3) We investigate the effects of religious and, more recently, spiritual markets on the functioning of capitalist societies and organizations.
(4) We investigate the consequences of social or technological disruptions, such as globalization or digitalization, on organizational fields and societies.
For more information, we recommend taking a look at the homepage of Prof. Dr. Katja Rost.

In addition to your research activities, we expect you to assist with teaching and minor administrative tasks, to actively present your research at conferences and seminars and to integrate yourself into the Department of Sociology.

Your profile

• Master’s degree (or close to completion) in Sociology, Economics, Computational Social Science or related fields
• Knowledge of basic sociological and economic theories
• Knowledge of how to handle and collect large amounts of data
• Experience in using statistical software such as R, Python, or Stata
• Excellent German and English language skills, both written and spoken

Information on your application

We offer:

• A stimulating, dynamic and supportive research environment
• A large degree of leeway for creativity, planning, and development of ideas and projects
• Opportunity for qualification in the field of theoretically grounded data science
• The possibility to work with a certain degree of flexibility (in terms of time and place)
• The position is initially limited to three to four years, with the possibility of extension upon successful funding acquisition

The starting date is flexible. Please submit your application in only one pdf file. There is no application deadline; however, positions will be filled as soon as suitable applications are received.

Questions about the job

Prof. Dr. Katja RostChair holder