Research Assistant in Quantitative Social Science: Machine Learning for Refugee Resettlement

Institute of Technology in Architecture, ETH Zurich; Zurich; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A prestigious technology institute in Zurich is seeking a Research Assistant to support a project aiming to improve refugee resettlement using machine learning techniques. Responsibilities include data management and model training. Ideal candidates should be enrolled in a master’s program with a focus on data science and possess skills in R programming and data analysis. The position offers hands-on experience on an impactful research project in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Hands-on experience on an empirical research project

Professional supervision by experienced researchers

Salary and pension benefits according to ETH regulation

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a master’s program at a Swiss university / ETH with a strong focus on data science.
• Experience programming in R.
• Fluency in English, oral and written.

Responsibilities

• Support the ongoing project in the Netherlands.
• Train and fine-tune machine learning models.
• Conduct simulations and backtests to assess model performance.

Skills

Data cleaning and management

Programming in R

Problem-solving ability

Strong communication skills

Familiarity with supervised machine learning

Education

Master’s program in Data Science or related field

Job description

Overview

20%-40%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Public Policy Group at ETH Zurich invites applications for a research assistant in quantitative social science for a project using machine learning to improve refugee resettlement. The project develops GeoMatch, a recommendation tool to help governments identify communities where newly arriving refugees are most likely to thrive. The project is a collaboration between ETH Zurich and Stanford University, with field testing in Switzerland, the United States, and an imminent launch in the Netherlands. The position is part of this innovative project and focuses on the Netherlands site.

Responsibilities

• Support the ongoing project in the Netherlands: clean and process data from partner agencies, train and fine-tune machine learning models to predict refugee resettlement outcomes, and conduct simulations and backtests to assess model performance and estimate real-world impact.
• Maintain regular check-ins with the project team at Stanford and perform day-to-day data work independently.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a master’s program at a Swiss university / ETH with a strong focus on data science (data science, computer science, economics, social sciences, etc.)
• Experience programming in R
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability
• Proficiency in data cleaning and management and experience working with complex datasets
• Reliable, structured and precise working style
• Strong communication skills regarding technical matters and data analysis
• Comfortable formulating questions and proactively seeking guidance as needed
• Curious and self-motivated, with a strong sense of ownership over their work
• Fluency in English, oral and written
• Familiarity with supervised machine learning (e.g., gbm, xgboost) is an advantage

Workplace & Benefits

• Hands-on experience on an empirical research project that aims to provide tangible social impact for refugees
• Highly collaborative environment with close interaction with the project team at Stanford University
• Professional supervision by experienced researchers, supporting your career development as a data scientist / applied econometrician / quantitative social scientist
• Salary and pension benefits according to ETH regulation

The position is secured for 6 months starting September/October 2025.

Equal Opportunity

We value diversity. In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to learn how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

Application

We look forward to receiving your online application, including:

• a cover letter
• CV
• study transcripts

Please note that only applications submitted through our online application portal are accepted.

Contact & Further Information

For further information about the position please contact the executive director, Selina Kurer, [e-mail] (Subject: Research Assistant Refugee Algorithm 2025). For more information on the Public Policy Group and Immigration Policy Lab, please visit our websites at Public Policy Group and Immigration Policy Lab, as well as Immigration Lab GeoMatch.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge research and direct transfer of knowledge into society. With a diverse community, ETH Zurich aims to promote independent thinking and excellence in solving global challenges.