Senior Research and Teaching Associate for AI, Machine Learning and Digital Transformation (Postdoctoral Position)

Department of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ)

Senior Research and Teaching Associate for AI, Machine Machine Learning and Digital Transformation (Postdoctoral Position) 80 %
Start of employment 1 January, 2027, temporary

With approximately 80 staff members, the IKMZ is one of the largest communication science institutes in Europe. It offers an outstanding infrastructure for research and teaching, a stimulating academic environment, and excellent employment conditions. In addition, the University of Zurich provides numerous opportunities for professional development as well as a wide range of interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.

Your responsibilities

• The senior research position is a postdoctoral position (6 years, 80%)
• Workplace is Zurich
• Development and maintenance of a research infrastructure for empirical analysis of generative AI
• Collaboration with/support of other researchers and projects at IKMZ
• Teaching one course per semester
• Supervise MA theses
• Organizational and administrative tasks within the department

Your profile

• Ph.D. in communication, computational social science, informatics, or a related subject
• Excellent research and teaching record in computational social science, communication or a related subject
• Experience in research organization, ideally also in the development and maintenance of research infrastructure
• Proficiency in German and English
• Organizational and team skills

Information on your application

Please upload the following documents to the UZH application platform jobs.uzh.ch:

• Letter of motivation, specifically highlighting experience, current work, and future plans in the field of AI, machine learning, and digital transformation
• CV
• Copies of degrees and relevant transcripts
• List of scientific publications
• 3 selected publications / documentations of research infrastructure

Deadline for applications is 15 August, 2026.
Starting date: 1 January, 2027

For questions regarding the position, please contact the head of the hiring committee,
Prof. Thomas N. Friemel (th.friemel@ikmz.uzh.ch)

What we can offer you

• Excellent research conditions in one of the leading communications departments in Europe
• Excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with neighbouring disciplines
• Freedom to develop an independent research agenda within the defined topical scope

Benefits

• Work-Life Balance
  • Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
  • Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
• Learning and Development
  • Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
  • Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
• Food
  • Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
  • Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
• Healthcare
  • Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
  • Free seasonal flu vaccinations
  • Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
• Discounts
  • Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
  • Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
  • Special conditions on hotel reservations

Conditions of Employment

• Policies of the UZH
• Most UZH staff are employed according to public law

International Services

• Support for people from outside Switzerland

Campuses

• Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
• Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg

Location

Department of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ)
Andreasstrasse 15, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland