PostDoc ("Oberassistenz") Modern Chinese Studies -80%
Universität Zürich
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Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies, Department of Chinese Studies
PostDoc ("Oberassistenz") Modern Chinese Studies 80 %
Start of employment 1 February 2026
The Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies (IAOS), founded in 2013, is the University of Zurich's centre for research
and teaching on Asia and the Orient. Bringing together Chinese Studies, Indian Studies, Islamic Studies, Japanese
Studies, and Gender Studies within a single institutional structure, the IAOS has established itself as the largest and
most comprehensive institution of its kind in Switzerland. With numerous research projects and a wide range of BA, MA,
and PhD programmes, the Institute has become a prominent hub in both the national and international academic landscape,
while also enhancing the visibility of Asian and Oriental studies in Switzerland more broadly.
Within this framework, the IAOS seeks to appoint a postdoctoral fellow (Oberassistenz) in Modern Chinese Studies,
based in the Chair of Modern Chinese Studies (Prof. Dr. Jean Christopher Mittelstaedt).
Your responsibilities
As PostDoc at the department, you will:
- Develop an independent research project on modern and contemporary Chinese politics, with an emphasis on domestic
politics and openness to its connections with China's foreign policy. Possible areas include political economy, science
and technology governance, and institutional change within Party and state structures
- Teach two 2-hour courses per semester at BA or MA level
- Contribute to the organisation of workshops and conferences, as well as to academic self-governance and
administrative work
- Actively participate in research colloquiums and in the broader activities of the Department and the Institute
Your profile
- PhD in the social sciences or related disciplines, with a specialization on modern China
- Demonstrated expertise in quantitative methods (experience with computational text analysis is desirable), with an
interest in combining them with qualitative or mixed-methods approaches
- Sufficient proficiency in Mandarin Chinese to conduct independent research with Chinese-language sources
- Teaching experience
- Strong organisational and administrative skills
The position is initially limited to three years, with the possibility of extension. We offer an intellectually
stimulating environment with opportunities for collaboration within the Chair of Modern Chinese Studies, the Institute,
and the broader University of Zurich research community.
Information on your application
Application:
Please send your application in electronic form (as a single PDF file) by 23 November 2025 via the UZH job portal,
including:
- Current curriculum vitae (max. 4 pages)
- A cover letter outlining how you meet the qualifications for the position
- Research statement (max. 2 pages)
- Teaching statement (max. 2 pages)
- Writing sample (dissertation chapter, conference paper, published article, or other paper) of no longer than 30
pages that showcases your research ability and method skills
- Names and contact information for two academic referees (referees will only be contacted for shortlisted candidates)
Application deadline: 23 November 2025
Interviews with short-listed candidates will take place in the week commencing 8th December 2025.
What we offer
Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers.
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
Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies, Department of Chinese Studies
Zürichbergstrasse 4, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
Further information
Questions about the job
Jean Christopher MittelstaedtProfessor of Sinology specialising in modern China Contact Form
Contact question to: Jean Christopher Mittelstaedt
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *I accept the privacy policySend Thank you for your message. We will get
back to you shortly. Working at UZH
The University of Zurich offers a wide range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields.
With around 10,000 employees and 12 professional apprenticeship streams, Switzerland's largest university provides an
inspiring working environment at the vanguard of research and education. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/en/explore/work.html
Working at UZH
The University of Zurich offers a wide range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields.
With around 10,000 employees and 12 professional apprenticeship streams, Switzerland's largest university provides an
inspiring working environment at the vanguard of research and education. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More
PostDoc ("Oberassistenz") Modern Chinese Studies 80 %
Start of employment 1 February 2026
The Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies (IAOS), founded in 2013, is the University of Zurich's centre for research
and teaching on Asia and the Orient. Bringing together Chinese Studies, Indian Studies, Islamic Studies, Japanese
Studies, and Gender Studies within a single institutional structure, the IAOS has established itself as the largest and
most comprehensive institution of its kind in Switzerland. With numerous research projects and a wide range of BA, MA,
and PhD programmes, the Institute has become a prominent hub in both the national and international academic landscape,
while also enhancing the visibility of Asian and Oriental studies in Switzerland more broadly.
Within this framework, the IAOS seeks to appoint a postdoctoral fellow (Oberassistenz) in Modern Chinese Studies,
based in the Chair of Modern Chinese Studies (Prof. Dr. Jean Christopher Mittelstaedt).
Your responsibilities
As PostDoc at the department, you will:
- Develop an independent research project on modern and contemporary Chinese politics, with an emphasis on domestic
politics and openness to its connections with China's foreign policy. Possible areas include political economy, science
and technology governance, and institutional change within Party and state structures
- Teach two 2-hour courses per semester at BA or MA level
- Contribute to the organisation of workshops and conferences, as well as to academic self-governance and
administrative work
- Actively participate in research colloquiums and in the broader activities of the Department and the Institute
Your profile
- PhD in the social sciences or related disciplines, with a specialization on modern China
- Demonstrated expertise in quantitative methods (experience with computational text analysis is desirable), with an
interest in combining them with qualitative or mixed-methods approaches
- Sufficient proficiency in Mandarin Chinese to conduct independent research with Chinese-language sources
- Teaching experience
- Strong organisational and administrative skills
The position is initially limited to three years, with the possibility of extension. We offer an intellectually
stimulating environment with opportunities for collaboration within the Chair of Modern Chinese Studies, the Institute,
and the broader University of Zurich research community.
Information on your application
Application:
Please send your application in electronic form (as a single PDF file) by 23 November 2025 via the UZH job portal,
including:
- Current curriculum vitae (max. 4 pages)
- A cover letter outlining how you meet the qualifications for the position
- Research statement (max. 2 pages)
- Teaching statement (max. 2 pages)
- Writing sample (dissertation chapter, conference paper, published article, or other paper) of no longer than 30
pages that showcases your research ability and method skills
- Names and contact information for two academic referees (referees will only be contacted for shortlisted candidates)
Application deadline: 23 November 2025
Interviews with short-listed candidates will take place in the week commencing 8th December 2025.
What we offer
Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers.
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
Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies, Department of Chinese Studies
Zürichbergstrasse 4, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
Further information
Questions about the job
Jean Christopher MittelstaedtProfessor of Sinology specialising in modern China Contact Form
Contact question to: Jean Christopher Mittelstaedt
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *I accept the privacy policySend Thank you for your message. We will get
back to you shortly. Working at UZH
The University of Zurich offers a wide range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields.
With around 10,000 employees and 12 professional apprenticeship streams, Switzerland's largest university provides an
inspiring working environment at the vanguard of research and education. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/en/explore/work.html
Working at UZH
The University of Zurich offers a wide range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields.
With around 10,000 employees and 12 professional apprenticeship streams, Switzerland's largest university provides an
inspiring working environment at the vanguard of research and education. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More