Doctoral Candidate (PhD) in Social-ecological Modelling and Biodiversity Policy 100 %

University of Zurich; Zürich; Vor Ort; CHF 90.000 - 120.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

The University of Zurich invites applications for an interdisciplinary doctoral position within the ReDiLEEP network, focusing on agent-based policy models in EU biodiversity policy. You will work in an international research team at the Irchel campus, Zurich.

The role includes 36 months of doctoral research plus 12 months institutional support, with five secondments to non‑academic partners, training in R/Tidyverse, ML for ecologists, and science‑policy communication.

Qualifikationen

• Master’s degree or equivalent in ecology, environmental science, sustainability, or closely related field.
• Strong interest in biodiversity and sustainability policy.
• Experience with quantitative analysis, modelling, or programming (R, Python, NetLogo, Julia).
• Interest in agent-based modelling and policy analysis.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Aufgaben

• Develop and validate agent-based policy models for EU biodiversity policy contexts.
• Quantify ecological and socio-economic trade-offs among policy options.
• Parameterise behavioral rules using empirical evidence and stakeholder input.
• Run governance and policy scenarios for RD maintenance and restoration governance.
• Produce publications and policy-relevant outputs; participate in ReDiLEEP training and activities.

Kenntnisse

Quantitative analysis

Modelling

Simulation

Programming

Ausbildung

Master's degree in ecology or related field

Tools

R

Python

NetLogo

Julia

Jobbeschreibung

The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!

Your responsibilities

• Develop and validate agent-based policy models representing relevant decision-makers and institutions in EU policy contexts, including the Common Agricultural Policy, Nature Restoration Law, and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.


• Quantify ecological and socio-economic trade-offs among policy options that influence RD, such as land-use intensification versus diversification, restoration investments, and risk-reduction schemes.


• Parameterise behavioural rules using empirical evidence, literature, and stakeholder input to represent how information, trust, incentives, and resource constraints shape policy responses.


• Run governance and policy scenarios targeting RD maintenance, for example subsidies for multi-species cropping, mixed-provenance restoration, or age-structured fishery management.


• Compare outcomes such as ecosystem stability, social equity, cost-effectiveness, and policy feasibility across scales.


• Produce peer-reviewed publications, policy-relevant outputs, and recommendations for integrating socio-economic realities into RD-based biodiversity policy.


• Participate actively in ReDiLEEP network training, secondments, dissemination, reporting, and cohort activities.

Secondments and Network Training

The position includes 5 months of planned secondments, with 4 months in non-academic settings, to strengthen the science-policy-practice interface:

• BioAgora: embedding in a BioAgora demonstration case (2 months, expected around project month 6).


• ThinkNature: analysing corporate sustainability reporting policy (1 month, expected around project month 12).


• Advanced Invasives: taking RD research from field to policy (1 month, expected around project month 18).


• Swansea University: taking RD research from field to policy (1 month, expected around project month 24).

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary cohort of doctoral researchers and benefit from ReDiLEEP training in response diversity methods, data management, reproducible code, R/Tidyverse, machine learning and AI for ecologists, visualisation, evidence-based policymaking, science-policy communication, and policy brief writing.

Your profile

• A Master's degree, or equivalent, in ecology, environmental science, geography, sustainability science, environmental policy, socio-ecological systems, economics, computational social science, data science, or a closely related field.


• Strong interest in biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, sustainability policy, and the translation of ecological science into decision-making.


• Experience with quantitative analysis, modelling, simulation, or programming, preferably in R, Python, NetLogo, Julia, or comparable tools.


• Interest in agent-based modelling, behavioural modelling, governance scenarios, stakeholder-informed research, or policy analysis.


• Ability to work independently while contributing constructively to an international, interdisciplinary doctoral network.


• Excellent written and spoken English and strong scientific writing skills.

Experience with EU biodiversity or sustainability policy, spatial modelling, social-science methods, stakeholder engagement, corporate sustainability reporting, or restoration governance is an advantage.

MSCA Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network eligibility requirements at the recruitment date:

• Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree.


• Applicants must be doctoral candidates and be enrolled, or eligible to be enrolled, in a doctoral programme at the University of Zurich.


• Applicants must work full-time and exclusively for the ReDiLEEP project during the appointment, in accordance with the applicable MSCA and UZH rules.


• Mobility rule: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity, such as work or studies, in Switzerland for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.


• Exceptions to the mobility rule apply for compulsory national service, refugee status, and temporary protection.

Employment Conditions

The position is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks framework (36-months) and by University of Zurich (12-months) and will follow the applicable MSCA Doctoral Network conditions (for 36-months) and University of Zurich employment regulations (for 12-months).

• Gross salary: In accordance with the regulations of the Marie Curie Fellowship and UZH salary rates for the last 12 months.


• Duration: 48 months, full-time.


• Place of work: University of Zurich, Irchel campus, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.


• Start of employment: Between February 1st and June 30th 2027. The appointment is subject to final MSCA eligibility verification, doctoral programme enrolment, and completion of UZH administrative onboarding.

Maja Weilenmann
Administrative Assistant
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