PhD Position in Sociology (University of Zurich)

Institution: University of Zurich (UZH), Department of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies (ISEK) Project: Horizons Project SOCIAL – Sociology of Authoritarian Law: Insights from Central Asia Position Type: Full-time, temporary (36 months) Start Date: 1 August 2026 Application Deadline: 31 January 2026 Number of Positions: 2 Research Focus DC16: Rural governance in Qazaqstan – local governance practices, democratization, ethnographic fieldwork DC17: Governance in Mongolia – rural civic participation, traditional authority, institutional adaptation Emphasis on law–society–governance dynamics under authoritarian regimes Fieldwork and two secondments abroad (one academic, one non-academic, 2–6 months each) Responsibilities Conduct independent research aligned with SOCIAL project goals Undertake extensive fieldwork in Central Asia Participate in training events, workshops, and conferences Contribute to departmental activities and collaborate with international supervisors Develop transferable skills bridging academia and policy Qualifications MA in anthropology or related discipline Less than four years of full-time equivalent research experience post-MA Strong academic record and ethnographic fieldwork experience (preferably mixed methods) High proficiency in English Knowledge of Russian, Mongolian, and/or Qazaq essential for fieldwork Application Materials Cover letter (max 1,000 words) Curriculum vitae MA thesis (and optional additional work) Copies of degrees Contact information for 2 references Research plan (up to 3,000 words, excluding references) including purpose, research questions, theoretical framework, and methodology Statement on Swiss residence/mobility (certifying no more than 12 months in Switzerland in the last 3 years) Benefits Competitive salary with financial support for fieldwork, publications, and conferences Access to Swiss Graduate Program in Anthropology Flexible work arrangements, childcare options, continuing education, language courses Sports facilities, subsidized meals, transportation and accommodation discounts Location: Andreasstrasse 15, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland Contact: Chair: Peter Finke – +41 (0)44 635 22 33 Admin assistant: Miriam Wohlgemuth – +41 (0)44 635 22 12 Wenn Sie sich auf diese Stelle bewerben, erwähnen Sie bitte dass Sie sie auf Universitoxy gesehen haben.

Institution: University of Zurich (UZH), Department of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies (ISEK)
Project: Horizons Project SOCIAL – Sociology of Authoritarian Law: Insights from Central Asia
Position Type: Full-time, temporary (36 months)
Start Date: 1 August 2026
Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
Number of Positions: 2

Research Focus

DC16: Rural governance in Qazaqstan – local governance practices, democratization, ethnographic fieldwork
DC17: Governance in Mongolia – rural civic participation, traditional authority, institutional adaptation
Emphasis on law–society–governance dynamics under authoritarian regimes
Fieldwork and two secondments abroad (one academic, one non-academic, 2–6 months each)

Responsibilities

Conduct independent research aligned with SOCIAL project goals
Undertake extensive fieldwork in Central Asia
Participate in training events, workshops, and conferences
Contribute to departmental activities and collaborate with international supervisors
Develop transferable skills bridging academia and policy

Qualifications

MA in anthropology or related discipline
Less than four years of full-time equivalent research experience post-MA
Strong academic record and ethnographic fieldwork experience (preferably mixed methods)
High proficiency in English
Knowledge of Russian, Mongolian, and/or Qazaq essential for fieldwork

Application Materials

Cover letter (max 1,000 words)
Curriculum vitae
MA thesis (and optional additional work)
Copies of degrees
Contact information for 2 references
Research plan (up to 3,000 words, excluding references) including purpose, research questions, theoretical framework, and methodology
Statement on Swiss residence/mobility (certifying no more than 12 months in Switzerland in the last 3 years)

Benefits

Competitive salary with financial support for fieldwork, publications, and conferences
Access to Swiss Graduate Program in Anthropology
Flexible work arrangements, childcare options, continuing education, language courses
Sports facilities, subsidized meals, transportation and accommodation discounts

Location: Andreasstrasse 15, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland

Contact: