Job Description

Department of Geography

Three Postdoc or Senior Researchers in Labour Geography 100 %

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Start of employment January 2026

The Labour Geography Unit at the Department of Geography of the University of Zurich (UZH) invites applications for three full-time postdoc or senior researcher posts. The appointments will be for four years.

The appointees will conduct research in the project "Underemployed" that was awarded an ERC Advanced Grant 2025. They will use qualitative social science methods to better understand the rise of involuntary part-time employment across Europe - with Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom serving as comparative case studies.



We are looking for experienced researchers who are excited by the possibility of doing a theoretically grounded, societally relevant research project that engages with precarious workers. The aims of the project "Underemployed" are to (1) produce foundational knowledge on the work-time arrangements in involuntary part-time labour across sectors and national contexts, (2) to identify norms and policies in labour, migration, gender and welfare regimes that foster or hinder the emergence of underemployment and (3) to develop recommendations which will allow decision makers of all kinds to reduce the number and improve the situation of underemployed workers.

Your responsibilities

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You will collaborate with workers, employers, policy makers, activists, academics and other experts to do qualitative research on time-related underemployment with a focus on the sectors retail, cleaning, care and education You will contribute to the organisation and realisation of the project "Underemployed", including project administration as well as organisation of workshops and conferences You will present and publish project results at appropriate academic venues and share them with the broader public You will contribute to teaching and services in the Labour Geography Unit at UZH

Your profile

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You have a PhD in Human Geography, Labour Studies or a related social science discipline You bring substantial experience in doing qualitative social science research related to labour and precarity You have in-depth knowledge on the labour, migration, gender and welfare regimes in either Switzerland (post 1), the Netherlands (post 2) or the United Kingdom (post 3) You speak and write fluently in English (for all three posts), in German (only for post 1) and in Dutch (only for post 2) You are good at collaborating in a team and you value diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Your benefits

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You will work in a stimulating and supportive research environment, with ample opportunities for collaboration and exchange You will receive regular mentoring and support in pursuing your academic career You will benefit from flexible working hours and home officing options (Our expectation is three days of presence per week during term time at UZH Irchel Campus, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland) You will profit from secure funding for four years, including funds for workshop and conference visits abroad You will get paid according to UZH regulations. (Your salary will depend on your qualifications and work experience and will start at pay class 18, pay level 3 for postdocs = KL 18 / LS 3). You will have a holiday entitlement of 25 days per year plus public holidays You will get a personal workplace with high-quality technical equipment (laptop and screen) You will be able to profit from the lively, culturally diverse and inspiring institute and campus environment, from the attractive working conditions and the manifold opportunities for further education at UZH. (With around 30,000 students and 10,000 employees, UZH is the largest university in Switzerland. As a member of the "League of European Research Universities", it counts among the leading European universities) You will be able to enjoy the excellent living environment of Zurich and its surroundings that offer a broad range of cultural activities and easy access to lakes, countryside and mountains.

Information on your application

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To find out more about the research undertaken at the Labour Geography Unit, visit our web page. general information about teaching and research in the Department of Geography is available here. For inquiries about the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Karin Schwiter.

To apply, please upload the following documents in either German or English with the button "Apply now" below:A motivation letter, explaining why you are applying for this position, and demonstrating how you fulfil the criteria listed above A CV and the contact details for three referees The detailed transcripts of your academic degrees (bachelor, master & PhD) A sample of your writing in English (e.g. a single authored journal article or a chapter of your PhD-thesis) that provides insight into your previous academic work

The initial deadline for applications is the 3rd of October 2025. Review of applications will commence thereafter and will continue until all positions are filled. The first round of online interviews is scheduled for 16 and 17 October 2025.

What we offer

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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

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Department of Geography

Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland

Further information

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Questions about the job

Prof. Dr. Karin Schwiter

Working at UZH

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The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!