Postdoctoral Researcher

The aim of the project is to explore the growing intersections between social work and policing and
how they impact social work practice across three European welfare states: Switzerland, Sweden, and
Ireland. The principal objectives of the project are to empirically analyse when and how social work
professionals refer cases to the police and other situations where they perform roles related to policing
and crime control. Theoretically, the project will assess how the incorporation of policing functions
into social work influences professionals’ engagement with structurally marginalised groups and how
this reshapes the broader societal role of social work. From a public policy perspective, the project
will provide a comprehensive mapping of the continuities and differences in the social welfare-crime
control nexus across various European welfare regimes. It will also generate policy recommendations
to ensure the preservation of social work values and objectives.

Position description

• Contribute to a research project focusing on either Switzerland or Ireland.
• Plan, conduct, transcribe and analyse qualitative interviews and other forms of qualitative research.
• Write scientific articles.
• Participate in and organise scientific events.
• Carry out administrative tasks related to the project (organising meetings, co-authoring the annual report, taking minutes, etc.).
• Engage in teaching and work with the project team.

Selection criteria

• PhD in social work or equivalent (e.g., sociology, anthropology, political science, or a related field).
• Prior experience with and knowledge of the social work profession, welfare research or socio-legal aspects of public administration. Knowledge of welfare-related issues in either Switzerland or Ireland is considered an asset.
• Expertise in qualitative research methods (e.g., interviewing, observation, document analysis, etc.). Experience with quantitative methods is an advantage.
• Flexibility and resilience under pressure.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within a team, as well as independently and remotely.
• Autonomy, dynamism, organisational skills and initiative.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and in one of the following languages: German, French or Italian.

Place of work: Sierre
Starting date: 01.09.2025 or tbd
Duration of employment: 4 years

For further information please contact Lisa Marie Borrelli, head of the project, lisa.borrelli(a)hevs.ch.

For this project we will collaborate with Dr Annika Lindberg from the University of Gothenburg.

Please submit your complete application documents (CV, motivation letter, diplomas and certificates) by 21 February 2025 by clicking on the Apply button. Only online applications will be considered.