Project background
The “Decades of Peace” project aims to answer a critical question: How do societies move from per sistent violence to sustainable peace? Despite a global decline in violence over centuries, many re gions, particularly in Latin America, remain plagued by persistently high levels of violence en trenched in local social structures. The “Decades of Peace” project proposes a novel theory of align ment 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 departmental 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
Place of work
Zurich - Oerlikon
Closing date: 31 January 2025
Start of employment: 1 May 2025 (or by agreement)
How to apply
Please upload your application electronically as one pdf-file to the following online form: www.ipz.uzh.ch/de/ueber-uns/offene-stellen/2025-PhD-Nussio.html including:
- Motivation letter (including a short summary of your research interests)
- CV
- One writing sample (for example a Master thesis chapter, does not need to be published)
- Copy of the Master’s degree
- No reference letters are required for the time being
- Candidates invited to an interview are required to submit a short research proposal at a later stage
