Description of UZH unit
The Department of Political Science at the University of Zurich (http://www.ipz.uzh.ch) invites applicants for a postdoctoral researcher position in the research group of Prof. Enzo Nussio. The postdoc will work in the team of the consolidator project entitled “Decades of Peace” which is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Project background
The “Decades of Peace” project aims to answer a critical question: How do societies move from persistent violence to sustainable peace? Despite a global decline in violence over centuries, many regions, particularly in Latin America, remain plagued by persistently high levels of violence entrenched in local social structures. The “Decades of Peace” project proposes a novel theory of alignment between state and societal institutions as a mechanism to overcome persistent violence. The research team will combine historical analysis, quantitative data, surveys, and qualitative interviews to examine the influence of institutional change on violence trajectories over decades. By focusing
on local cases of violence reduction in otherwise violent countries, the project seeks to contribute to strategies that promote sustainable peace.
Your responsibilities within the project
The postdoctoral researcher will mainly contribute to the creation, compilation, and administration of quantitative data for this project, but will also have time to conduct their own research. This includes the following responsibilities:
- Create new indicators of historical violence based on textual sources
- Compile and integrate existing spatial panel data
- Develop and administer the infrastructure for the team’s data collection efforts
- Collaborate with team members, including doctoral students and research assistants
- Support research, organizational, and administrative tasks
Your profile
- PhD in a social science discipline (completed or close to completion)
- Strong skills in quantitative methods and data management
- Substantive interest in peace and conflict research, violence and institutions
- Ambition and ability to produce high-quality research, both independently and in a team
- Spanish language skills and exposure to the Latin American context are an advantage (the
working language is English)
What we offer
- Employment for three years
- Salary in accordance with cantonal guidelines (gross annual salary approximately 81’400 CHF for 80% employment level)
- Opportunity to develop your own research agenda and to develop a strong academic network
- Possibility to collaborate in scientific publications of the project
- Possibility of teaching in the department (paid additionally and depending on departmental teaching needs)
- Support for career development and planning, targeted to early-career researchers
- Excellent working conditions in a leading research-oriented and international department that provides a constructive and collaborative working environment
Place of work
Zurich – Oerlikon
Closing date: 31 January 2025
Start of employment: 1 May 2025 (or by agreement)
How to apply
Please upload your application electronically as one pdf-file to the following online form: www.ipz.uzh.ch/de/ueber-uns/offene-stellen/2025-Postdoc-Nussio.html including:
- Motivation letter (including a short summary of your future research plans)
- CV including publication list (if available, also include a link to your GitHub profile / repository with previous data work)
- One writing sample (journal article or PhD thesis chapter)
- Copy of the Doctoral degree (or the prospective date of defense in the motivation letter)
- No reference letters are required for the time being
Further information
For questions about the position and the project, feel free to contact Enzo Nussio at enzo.nussio@sipo.gess.ethz.ch (Enzo Nussio will move from ETH Zurich to the University of Zurich in January 2025).