Resilience & Crisis Management Researcher 80%-100%

ETH Zurich; Zürich; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Two-year appointment

Central Zurich location

Job summary

ETH Zurich in Zurich invites applications for a research position in the Resilience and Crisis Management Team. The role focuses on the outlined issue areas, building specialised knowledge to help Swiss authorities address challenges, and presenting expertise to policymakers.

You will publish findings in policy-relevant publications and disseminate knowledge through dialogue with policymakers and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

• MA/MSc in a relevant discipline such as Political Science, Risk Analysis, Resilience, Crisis and Disaster Management, Security Studies, Public Policy or Environmental Sciences.
• Experience or interest in natural hazards, resilience, anticipation and risk analysis methods and risk communication.
• Independent, well-organised working style with excellent communication and ability to work in an international team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct policy-relevant research for resilience and crisis management and provide policy advice to Swiss authorities.
• Publish findings in policy-relevant publications and disseminate knowledge to policymakers and stakeholders.
• Proactively engage with diverse stakeholders and present expertise clearly and concisely.

Skills

Policy analysis

Communication skills

International teamwork

Education

MA/MSc in political science or related

Job description

Job description

• As a researcher in the Resilience and Crisis Management Team, you focus on the issue areas outlined and related topics. Depending on your expertise and interests, you will build specialised knowledge and insights and help Swiss authorities address specific challenges. This also includes proactive engagement with different stakeholders, providing on-demand comprehensive policy advice, and presenting your expertise and knowledge clearly and concisely.
• You will publish your findings in policy-relevant publications and disseminate your knowledge through dialogue with policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ideally, you would be able to join as soon as possible.

Profile

At a minimum, you should have a MA/MSc degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Political Science, Risk Analysis, Resilience, Crisis and Disaster Management, Security Studies, Public Policy or Environmental Sciences). Recent MA graduates are encouraged to apply. We are particularly looking for researchers who have experience and/or interest in one or more of the following research topics: (a) natural hazards and disaster risk reduction; (b) socio-technical resilience; (c) anticipation and risk analysis methods as well as risk communication. An independent, well-organised working style, along with excellent communication skills and the ability to work in an international team are essential.

The CSS is a multilingual working environment, so proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of one Swiss national language - or the willingness to acquire German language skills on the job - is an asset. Work experience in relevant international organisations, think tanks, or government agencies is an advantage, as is knowledge of the Swiss political landscape.

We offer

• We offer the opportunity to apply and develop research skills for resilience and crisis management topics, within the environment of a university-based think tank working on security and peace issues.
• The term for the appointment is for two years, with the option of extension if there is funding and if there is mutual agreement to continue the cooperation.
• We offer a workplace in the centre of Zurich with attractive working conditions. Further training and the ability to conduct applied research, publish the results in different formats and provide your own process support related to peace mediation are part of the career development and are central elements of our personnel policy.

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.

Application deadline is 31 October 2026.

Further information about us can be found on our website. For questions about the position, please contact Simon Aebi, [e-mail] (no applications).

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

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