PhD Position in the Research Group of Professor Karsten Donnay -80%
Universität Zürich
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Institut für Politikwissenschaft
PhD Position in the Research Group of Professor Karsten Donnay 80 %
Start of employment 01.09.2025
The Department of Political Science at the University of Zurich invites applications for a PhD position in the
research group of Prof. Karsten Donnay starting on September 1, 2025. This position is part of a joint research project
with the team of Dr. Rainer Gabriel at the School of Social Work at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW).
The project investigates the non-take-up of social welfare benefits due to language and administrative barriers. It
explores using an AI tool to translate complex administrative documents (such as application forms, standardized
letters, informational material) into plain/simple language. The goal is to facilitate the success of applications
among eligible recipients and thereby to improve benefit uptake. Working in close collaboration with social services
and other practice partners, the project will validate the tool's effectiveness, design real-world implementations and
evaluate its impact through field experiments.
The project is funded by the Digitalization Initiative of the Zurich Higher Education Institutions (DIZH) and closely
connected to the Digital Society Initiative of the University of Zurich (DSI), the cross-disciplinary competence center
for digitalization at the university. The University of Zurich offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment with
a strong international focus and the Department of Political Science (IPZ) is a leading political science department in
Europe. The department features a dynamic research environment, has a collegial working culture and we are firmly
committed to advancing young scholars' careers.
Your responsibilities
The PhD student will support all aspects of the collaborative research project described above throughout the
project's three-year duration. This includes adapting and deploying the already existing open-source prototype of the
translation tool for simple language that serves as the foundation for this project; accompanying and supporting its
use by our practice partners in real-world settings; designing, conducting and evaluating the field experiments that
will test its effectiveness in improving benefit uptake; contributing to academic publications that disseminate the
project's findings. Given the project's practical orientation, public dissemination of results through workshops and
other outreach events is an integral part of our project, and the PhD student will play a key role in this process. In
addition, the position also includes stakeholder management and regular coordination with our various practice partners.
Active involvement in both the research teams of Dr. Gabriel and Prof. Donnay is expected and workspaces at both
institutes will be provided. The PhD student will be actively involved in the supervision of student research
assistants supporting the broader project. There is no teaching requirement associated with the position. However,
subject to departmental needs, there may be opportunities to take on compensated teaching assignments at the BA level.
Your profile
- A strong personal motivation to use digital tools to address real-world social challenges. This is not a
tech-for-tech's-sake project but one with a clear focus on improving people's lives.
- A completed (or soon-to-be completed) master's degree in political science, another social science, or social work.
Candidates with a background in social work are welcome but should demonstrate a solid foundation in data science
(e.g., through prior training, work experience, or additional qualifications).
- A strong interest in applied social research in the areas of social policy, inequality, digitalization and public
administration.
- Proven quantitative research and data science skills, including:
- Programming (Python),
- Data analysis (in R or Python),
- Designing and conducting (field) experiments.
- Familiarity with or interest in AI tools, natural language processing, or plain language communication is a strong
asset.
- A good understanding of public administrations, welfare states, and the issue of non-take-up of social benefits.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within interdisciplinary and cross-institutional teams.
- Strong command of both German and English.
- A mindset marked by creativity, open-mindedness, and curiosity.
Information on your application
What we offer
- A fully funded PhD position (initially for three years with the possibility of extension for a fourth year, subject
to available additional funding through the SNSF or UZH)
- Competitive salary based on an 80% employment level as a doctoral student with a gross annual salary of
approximately 57'084 CHF per year
- The opportunity to work on a high-impact, interdisciplinary research project at the intersection of political
science, social work, and digital technology – an excellent foundation for future academic careers as well as roles in
the public or private sector
- Access to two excellent academic environments: the Department of Political Science at UZH, one of Europe's leading
political science departments, and the School of Social Work at ZHAW, a prominent institution for applied social
research in Switzerland.
Place of work:
University of Zurich (Oerlikon and main campus) and ZHAW (Toni Areal).
Start of employment:
The start date of the position is September 1, 2025 , or later by agreement. Closing date for applications is May 31,
2025 .
How to apply:
If you are interested in applying for this position, please upload your application, including your letter of
interest, a current CV, a writing sample (e.g. MA thesis), copy of university transcripts, and the contact details of
two people willing to serve as a reference using the application link.
What we offer
Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. More
What we offer
Work-Life Balance
- Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
- Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
More Learning and Development
- Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
- Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
More Food
- Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
- Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
More Healthcare
- Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
- Free seasonal flu vaccinations
- Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
More Discounts
- Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
- Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
- Special conditions on hotel reservations
More Conditions of Employment
- Policies of the UZH
- Most UZH staff are employed according to public law
More International Services
- Support for people from outside Switzerland
More Campuses
- Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
- Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg
More
Location
Institut für Politikwissenschaft
Affolternstrasse 56, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
Further information
Questions about the job
Prof. Dr. Karsten DonnayAssistant Professor Contact Form
Contact question to: Prof. Dr. Karsten Donnay
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *I accept the privacy policySend Thank you for your message. We will get
back to you shortly.
Questions about the application procedure
Susanne ArltPersonalverantwortliche 044 634 39 19 Contact Form
Contact question to: Susanne Arlt
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *Ich akzeptiere hiermit die DatenschutzerklärungSend Thank you for your
message. We will get back to you shortly. Working at UZH
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!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/explore/work.html
Working at UZH
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! More
PhD Position in the Research Group of Professor Karsten Donnay 80 %
Start of employment 01.09.2025
The Department of Political Science at the University of Zurich invites applications for a PhD position in the
research group of Prof. Karsten Donnay starting on September 1, 2025. This position is part of a joint research project
with the team of Dr. Rainer Gabriel at the School of Social Work at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW).
The project investigates the non-take-up of social welfare benefits due to language and administrative barriers. It
explores using an AI tool to translate complex administrative documents (such as application forms, standardized
letters, informational material) into plain/simple language. The goal is to facilitate the success of applications
among eligible recipients and thereby to improve benefit uptake. Working in close collaboration with social services
and other practice partners, the project will validate the tool's effectiveness, design real-world implementations and
evaluate its impact through field experiments.
The project is funded by the Digitalization Initiative of the Zurich Higher Education Institutions (DIZH) and closely
connected to the Digital Society Initiative of the University of Zurich (DSI), the cross-disciplinary competence center
for digitalization at the university. The University of Zurich offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment with
a strong international focus and the Department of Political Science (IPZ) is a leading political science department in
Europe. The department features a dynamic research environment, has a collegial working culture and we are firmly
committed to advancing young scholars' careers.
Your responsibilities
The PhD student will support all aspects of the collaborative research project described above throughout the
project's three-year duration. This includes adapting and deploying the already existing open-source prototype of the
translation tool for simple language that serves as the foundation for this project; accompanying and supporting its
use by our practice partners in real-world settings; designing, conducting and evaluating the field experiments that
will test its effectiveness in improving benefit uptake; contributing to academic publications that disseminate the
project's findings. Given the project's practical orientation, public dissemination of results through workshops and
other outreach events is an integral part of our project, and the PhD student will play a key role in this process. In
addition, the position also includes stakeholder management and regular coordination with our various practice partners.
Active involvement in both the research teams of Dr. Gabriel and Prof. Donnay is expected and workspaces at both
institutes will be provided. The PhD student will be actively involved in the supervision of student research
assistants supporting the broader project. There is no teaching requirement associated with the position. However,
subject to departmental needs, there may be opportunities to take on compensated teaching assignments at the BA level.
Your profile
- A strong personal motivation to use digital tools to address real-world social challenges. This is not a
tech-for-tech's-sake project but one with a clear focus on improving people's lives.
- A completed (or soon-to-be completed) master's degree in political science, another social science, or social work.
Candidates with a background in social work are welcome but should demonstrate a solid foundation in data science
(e.g., through prior training, work experience, or additional qualifications).
- A strong interest in applied social research in the areas of social policy, inequality, digitalization and public
administration.
- Proven quantitative research and data science skills, including:
- Programming (Python),
- Data analysis (in R or Python),
- Designing and conducting (field) experiments.
- Familiarity with or interest in AI tools, natural language processing, or plain language communication is a strong
asset.
- A good understanding of public administrations, welfare states, and the issue of non-take-up of social benefits.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within interdisciplinary and cross-institutional teams.
- Strong command of both German and English.
- A mindset marked by creativity, open-mindedness, and curiosity.
Information on your application
What we offer
- A fully funded PhD position (initially for three years with the possibility of extension for a fourth year, subject
to available additional funding through the SNSF or UZH)
- Competitive salary based on an 80% employment level as a doctoral student with a gross annual salary of
approximately 57'084 CHF per year
- The opportunity to work on a high-impact, interdisciplinary research project at the intersection of political
science, social work, and digital technology – an excellent foundation for future academic careers as well as roles in
the public or private sector
- Access to two excellent academic environments: the Department of Political Science at UZH, one of Europe's leading
political science departments, and the School of Social Work at ZHAW, a prominent institution for applied social
research in Switzerland.
Place of work:
University of Zurich (Oerlikon and main campus) and ZHAW (Toni Areal).
Start of employment:
The start date of the position is September 1, 2025 , or later by agreement. Closing date for applications is May 31,
2025 .
How to apply:
If you are interested in applying for this position, please upload your application, including your letter of
interest, a current CV, a writing sample (e.g. MA thesis), copy of university transcripts, and the contact details of
two people willing to serve as a reference using the application link.
What we offer
Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. More
What we offer
Work-Life Balance
- Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
- Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
More Learning and Development
- Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
- Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
More Food
- Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
- Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
More Healthcare
- Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
- Free seasonal flu vaccinations
- Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
More Discounts
- Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
- Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
- Special conditions on hotel reservations
More Conditions of Employment
- Policies of the UZH
- Most UZH staff are employed according to public law
More International Services
- Support for people from outside Switzerland
More Campuses
- Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
- Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg
More
Location
Institut für Politikwissenschaft
Affolternstrasse 56, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
Further information
Questions about the job
Prof. Dr. Karsten DonnayAssistant Professor Contact Form
Contact question to: Prof. Dr. Karsten Donnay
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *I accept the privacy policySend Thank you for your message. We will get
back to you shortly.
Questions about the application procedure
Susanne ArltPersonalverantwortliche 044 634 39 19 Contact Form
Contact question to: Susanne Arlt
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *Ich akzeptiere hiermit die DatenschutzerklärungSend Thank you for your
message. We will get back to you shortly. Working at UZH
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!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/explore/work.html
Working at UZH
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! More