Phd Researcher

L'Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement recrute un/une

**PHD RESEARCHER (F/M/D)**

**CENTRE**:ANSO/CDHM**

**CONTRACT: 4 YEARS - 2025-2029**

**ACTIVITY RATE: 100% 40 H / W**

**APPLICATION DEADLINE : 02.06.2025**

**STARTING DATE: 02.09.2025**

**Introduction of the Project**:**

The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) project funded: “Digital Humanitarianism: Governing Vulnerable Populations in an Age of Technological Innovation” aims to examine how ‘digital humanitarianism’ is emerging as a field of knowledge, a community of practice and an arena of experimentation through the development of partnerships between humanitarian organisations, private corporations and scientific institutions. The project examines the entire design cycle of digital technologies, from ideation to prototyping and testing and is carried out by an international team of researchers on four continents. Its design combines anthropological theory and ethnographic inquiry with Science and Technology Studies (STS) approaches to study the uneven expressions of “digital humanitarianism” in international sciences and policy networks, tech-philanthropies, scientific laboratories and humanitarian field operations. It asks: what conception of ‘humanity’ and regimes of living are articulated at the intersection of philanthro-capitalism and digital humanitarianism ?

**The role**:**

Under the supervision of Julie Billaud (PI), Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology, the appointed PhD student will complete a dissertation on the topic planned by the project while being fully integrated into the life of the Department of Anthropology and Sociology, a vibrant department at the Geneva Graduate Institute that conducts innovative ethnographic research on international organizations and transnational processes.

**More specifically, the PhD student will be in charge of the following tasks**:
In collaboration with the EssentialTech Center, conduct research on the prototyping of digital technologies for humanitarian purposes in the scientific laboratories of EPFL in Lausanne.

More specifically, fine-tune the project design, collect data through ethnographic fieldwork and semi-structured interviews on:
- How the prototyping of digital technologies “for good” is influenced by humanitarian, scientific and market logics as well as conceptions of “risks”, “crisis” and “needs” and how to address them- How the Swiss research and innovation ecosystem, the social history of humanitarianism and technological management and the principle of ‘neutrality’ in Switzerland inform the design and production of digital technologies.

As an intern (Year 2 of the project), support the EssentialTech Center and its humanitarian division in its daily activities, in particular:

- Contribute to identify and develop opportunities of collaboration with humanitarian organizations
- Contribute to match identified humanitarian needs with expertise present at EPFL
- Ad hoc and punctual support to projects implemented by the centre

In collaboration with the PI and the Postdoctoral Researcher (Hanna Berg, PhD Geneva Graduate Institute 2024):

- Map international science and policy networks (Y1),
- Build a database of institutional actors involved in ‘digital humanitarianism’ and technological innovation (Y1)
- Build an archive of reports and policy documents on technological innovation in the humanitarian sector (Y1)
- Help organize two international exploratory workshops with the research team, policy-makers and academics (Y1 and Y4)
- Prepare and participate in the drafting of joint publications with the PI and post-doctoral researcher (Y3-4)
- Present the research project at conferences (Y1-4)
- Meet project interim goals and strictly adhere to project timelines, and help the postdoctoral researcher and the PI carry out administrative duties associated with the research project, including interim reporting to funders.

**To be successful in this role, you should have**:**- MA in Anthropology, Sociology or Political Sciences with an interest in Sciences and Technologies Studies or Law and Society- Applicants with an MA in International Affairs, or an adjacent discipline, with some courses in sociology or political science, will also be considered.- Experience in ethnographic research methods and interview-based research will be a plus and should be mentioned in the letter of motivation- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. French is also an asset, as the Geneva Graduate Institute is a bilingual institution in English and French and the fieldwork for this research is in Switzerland.- Demonstrated familiarity with the world of technological innovation and engineering.- Highly organized and capable of working autonomously to complete a PhD thesis- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in an international team

**What you can expect from us**:**
- A cosmopolitan c