Description of UZH unit
Prof. Enzo Nussio invites applicants for a Research Assistant / Hilfsassistent:in position (roughly 10-20%). The Research Assistant will work in the team of the consolidator project entitled “Decades of Peace” (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
The Research Assistant will work directly with Prof. Enzo Nussio and support other team members of the “Decades of Peace” project in their research, organizational, and administrative tasks. Re search tasks may include the collection and compilation of data on violence and its correlates in Latin America, literature reviews, and the public dissemination of research findings through a project website.
Your profile
- Enrolled as advanced BA or MA student in political science at a Swiss university
- Interest in the topics of peace, violence, and institutions
- Interest in working with quantitative data using R or other statistics programs
- Diligent and team-oriented
- Spanish language skills and exposure to the Latin American context are an advantage
What we offer
- Work with a team in an innovative research project
- Hands-on experience in academic research, providing valuable insights into the workings of academia.
- Access to research infrastructure to support your own projects, such as BA/MA theses.
- A dedicated workspace at the Department of Political Science within the shared student assistant desk pool.
Place of work
Zurich – Oerlikon
Closing date: 2 March 2025
Start of employment: 1 April 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-RA-Nussio.html including:
- Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
- CV
- Transcript of records (grades)
Further information
For questions about the position and the project, feel free to contact Enzo Nussio at enzo.nussio@ipz.uzh.ch.
