Phd Position in The Research Project “decades of Peace”

**Institut für Politikwissenschaft**
**PhD position in the research project “Decades of Peace” 80 %**: Start of employment 01.05.2025, temporary

The Department of Political Science at the University of Zurich invites applicants for a PhD position in the research group of Prof. Enzo Nussio. The PhD student will work in the team of the consolidator project entitled “Decades of Peace” which is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

**Project background**
The “Decades of Peace” project aims to answer a critical question: How do societies move from persistent violence to sustainable peace? Despite a global decline in violence over centuries, many regions, particularly in Latin America, remain plagued by persistently high levels of violence entrenched in local social structures. The “Decades of Peace” project proposes a novel theory of alignment between state and societal institutions as a mechanism to overcome persistent violence. The research team will combine historical analysis, quantitative data, surveys, and qualitative interviews to examine the influence of institutional change on violence trajectories over decades. By focusing on local cases of violence reduction in otherwise violent countries, the project seeks to contribute to strategies that promote sustainable peace.

**Your responsibilities**:

- The PhD student will mainly focus on their own research, but also contribute to the “Decades of Peace” project. This includes the following responsibilities:

- Develop an independent dissertation project within the field of peace and conflict research, violence and institutions
- Participate in the coursework of the Department's doctoral program
- Support the research project “Decades of Peace” and collaborate with other team members
- Contribute to and participate in the intellectual life at the Department
- Support research, organizational, and administrative tasks

**Your profile**:

- Master's degree in political science or closely related discipline
- Substantive interest in peace and conflict research, violence and institutions
- Strong interest in developing methodological skills
- Ambition to produce high-quality research, both independently and in a team
- Spanish language skills and exposure to the Latin American context are an advantage (the working language is English)

**What we offer**
- Employment for four years (conditional on approval of the dissertation proposal by the end of the first year)
- Salary in accordance with SNF guidelines (gross annual salary starting at approximately 50'000 CHF)
- Opportunity to develop your own dissertation project
- Possibility to collaborate in scientific publications of the project “Decades of Peace”
- Possibility of teaching in the department (paid additionally and depending on depart-mental teaching needs)
- Support for career development and planning, targeted to early-career researchers
- Excellent working conditions in a leading research-oriented and international department that provides a constructive and collaborative working environment

Zurich - Oerlikon

**Closing date**: 31 January 2025
**Start of employment**: 1 May 2025 (or by agreement)

**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**:
**Institut für Politikwissenschaft***:Affolternstrasse 56, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland

**Further information**:
**Questions about the job**:
**For questions about the position and the project, feel free to contact Enzo Nussio. (Enzo Nussio will move from ETH Zurich to the University of Zurich in January 2025).**

**Susanne Arlt**
- Personalverantwortliche Institut für Politikwissenschaft
- 044 634 39 19

**Working at UZH**: