Application Deadline: 9th May, 2021
The Department of Sociology – Chair of Social Theory and Quantitative Methods in The University of Zurich is inviting applications for a Ph.D. candidate and a post-doctoral researcher.
PhD Candidate Position
The research group of Prof. Dr. Heiko Rauhut seeks one or two motivated and proactive Ph.D. candidates dedicated to behavioral and experimental research to strengthen the newly formed group. The starting date is flexible from May 2021. The position is initially limited to three to four years, with the possibility of extension upon successful funding acquisition. The group currently offers two interesting behavioral and experimental projects that could serve as a starting point:
- Improving measurements of altruistic and cooperative behavior: The project aims to extend classic approaches by measuring cooperative behavior with greater precision. A starting point could be to compare and validate alternative measures with existing ones and their temporal stability before enhancing and implementing them in real-world environments.
- Developmental conditions of pro-and antisocial behavior: In a longitudinal design, more than 1000 adolescents and their parents have been followed repeatedly from their first year at school (8y) to early adulthood (20y), allowing candidates to study potential risk factors of unethical factors.
Roles/Responsibilities
- Pro-active participation in the groups’ research activities
- Collaboration in various research projects
- Presenting research results at international conferences
- Publishing research results in international peer-reviewed journals
- Supporting teaching activities and conducting small seminars
Eligibility
- A proactive, collaborative, and creative mindset
- Master’s degree (or close to completion) in social science such as Sociology, Economics, Social
- Psychology, Political Science, Computational social science or related fields
- Good knowledge and some experience in behavioral and experimental research and game theory and the curiosity to dive into other topics
- Experience in using statistical software such as R, Python, or Stata
- Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken.
Application Details
- A motivational letter (maximum: 1 page)
- A CV
- Transcripts of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree
- A one-page summary of Master’s thesis
- Two articles that fascinated studies with a short description of how they might influence PhD
- Contact details of two referees (or two letters of recommendation).
Post-Doctoral Researcher Position
The research group of Prof. Dr. Heiko Rauhut seeks a postdoctoral researcher dedicated to behavioral and experimental research to strengthen the newly formed group in this area. The group brings together talented researchers from different disciplines united by their strong interests in human decision-making and the conflicts between individual and collective interests.
Roles/Responsibilities
- Project development and planning within a collaborative and proactive team
- Working on a strategic realignment of the groups in the area of behavioral research
- Publication of research results in peer-reviewed international journals
- Presentation of research results at international conferences
- Support in teaching and research activities of the chair
- Support in the supervision of PhD candidates and Master’s students and administrative tasks
Eligibility
- A proactive, collaborative, and creative mindset with the ability to communicate complex ideas persuasively and inspiringly
- A doctoral degree (or close to completion) in Sociology, Economics, Social Psychology, Political Science, Computational Social Science, or a related field
- Very good knowledge and experience in conducting behavioral or experimental research in the lab, online, or the field and the willingness to develop in this field
- Very good knowledge and experience in the application of quantitative empirical social research and statistics, including experience in using statistical software such as R, Python, or Stata and programming abilities
- Publication experience within international peer-reviewed journals and a good sense for current and exciting issues
- Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken
Application Details
- A motivational letter (maximum: 1 page)
- A CV (including publications)
- Transcripts of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral degree
- One-page summary of dissertation
- Up to three papers that indicate strongest work (e.g. published papers, thesis chapters, or a working papers)
- A 2-3-page essay on research agenda/ideas for the coming years, including up to two references to articles that fascinate you with a short description of how they might influence your research
- Contact details of two referees (or two letters of recommendation)
Applications for both positions can be submitted as one pdf file via the UZH Job Portal
