Senior Research and Teaching Associate for AI, Machine Learning and Digital Transformation (Postdoctoral Position) 80 %

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