Research and Teaching Assistant 100%

ETH Zurich; Zürich; On-site; CHF 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public transport subsidies

Car sharing

ASVZ sports program

Childcare

Attractive pension benefits

Job summary

ETH Zurich's Chair of Global Security seeks a 100% research and teaching assistant to support course preparation, online learning, grading and departmental representation. You will assist in literature reviews, data collection, editorial support, and presentations, while maintaining teaching records.

The role offers exposure to cutting‑edge global security research and collaboration with Prof. Idler's team.

Qualifications

• Master's in Political Science/IR with focus on international politics and global security.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; German is an advantage.
• Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, independence and IT skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare the Chair's courses each semester and manage the online learning environment.
• Help with grading and may represent the Chair on the departmental Teaching Committee.
• Support research for teaching and research projects—literature/background research, data collection and management, editorial support and presentations.
• Maintain the Chair's teaching records.

Skills

English fluency

Independent work

IT skills

Research methods

Education

Master's degree in Political Science/IR

Job description

The newly established Chair of Global Security, held by Prof. Annette Idler, is part of the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (D-GESS) at ETH Zurich. The Chair examines global security, especially in relation to armed conflicts, the global illicit economy, transitions from war to peace, and the interconnections between local conflict dynamics and global shifts in order and power. Its mixed‑methods research programme integrates macro‑level theory with detailed, contextualised fieldwork across world regions, combines qualitative, quantitative, and computational approaches, and bridges the social sciences with complexity science and other disciplines. The Chair's international research group engages closely with international organisations, governments, and civil society. From 2029, Prof. Idler will additionally assume the Directorship of the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich.

The Chair holder, Prof. Annette Idler, is seeking to appoint, as soon as possible or by agreement, a research and teaching assistant (100%).

Job description

You will prepare the Chair's courses each semester, manage the online learning environment for the Chair's courses and help with grading. You may be asked to represent the Chair on the departmental Teaching Committee. You will also support Prof. Idler with research for teaching and research projects – including literature and background research, data collection and management, editorial support and preparing presentations – and maintain the Chair's teaching records.

Profile

• You hold a Master's degree in Political Science, International Relations or a related discipline, with specialist knowledge of international politics and global security, and are familiar with the relevant research institutes and publication outlets. You have an excellent command of written and spoken English; knowledge of German is an advantage. Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, a high degree of independence and very good IT skills round off your profile.
• This position is an ideal entry point after completing a university degree and is fixed‑term for about two years. You can look forward to varied and challenging work in a stimulating and motivating environment at a world‑leading university. You will work closely with Prof. Idler, gain insight into teaching and research at a newly established chair at ETH Zurich and engage with a wide range of global security issues. There is also scope to develop a small independent research project of your own, for example towards a PhD proposal.

We offer

• Ihr Beruf mit Wirkung: Werden Sie Teil der ETH Zürich, die nicht nur Ihre berufliche Entwicklung unterstützt, sondern auch aktiv zu positiven Veränderungen in der Gesellschaft beiträgt
• Es erwarten Sie zahlreiche Vergünstigungen, wie z.B. ÖV-Abonnemente und Car Sharing, ein breites Sportangebot des ASVZ, Kinderbetreuung sowie attraktive Vorsorgeleistungen

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity and sustainability

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 our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate‑neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

The application deadline is 15th November 2026.

Further information about the Chair of Global Security can be found on our Website.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to [e-mail] (no applications).

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.