Phd Position in Environmental Humanities

**Department of Molecular Life Sciences**
**PhD Position in Environmental Humanities - Exploring Negative Values of Nature in Wetlands 80 %**: Start of employment Ideally between November 2025 and February 2026, temporary

**Your responsibilities**:
The student conducts the following tasks:

- Literature analysis on different approaches to deal with negative values in the context of the Thurauen and similar wetlands in Switzerland.
- Approximately 30 semi-structured interviews with residents, visitors and different stakeholders in the Thurauen wetlands to explore their responses to negative values in wetlands.
- Transcription, coding and analysis of the interview data using qualitative methods.
- Writing of at least three research papers.
- Collaboration with other project members at the Universities of Lausanne and Fribourg to integrate findings into the broader academic discussion on environmental disvalues and environmental narratives.
- Working with project members at the WWF Switzerland to incorporate interview insights into the development of 'narrative tools' (e.g. a story collection) designed to foster constructive, non-polarised dialogue around negative aspects of nature

**Your profile**:

- A completed Master's degree in biology/ ecology, geography, anthropology, political science, or other social sciences. As the project is based in a biology department, a basic understanding of biology or ecology is an advantage.
- Excellent command of German (spoken and written) is a requirement.
- Very good written and spoken English skills.
- Knowledge, interest, or experience in biodiversity conservation, science policy, or science-society relations in Central Europe.
- Familiarity with qualitative social science methods (e.g. interviews, thematic analysis) or a strong willingness to acquire these skills quickly.
- Enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary, collaborative research environment.

What we offer
- A fully funded, four-year PhD position.
- A vibrant interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research network in the environmental humanities, environmental ethics and environmental sciences.
- The opportunity to contribute to a theoretically grounded project with direct practical relevance for biodiversity conservation.
- Access to excellent research infrastructure and support at the University of Zurich, with the possibility of a research visit at the University of Lausanne.
- Training within the Framework of the Life Science Zurich Graduate School.

**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

**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 Molecular Life Sciences***:Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland

**Further information**:
**Questions about the job**:
**Anna Deplazes Zemp**

**Working at UZH**: