Evolving Language

Machine Learning Expert (all genders) 100 %

Start of employment as per 1 September 2025 or upon agreement, temporary

Within the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) Evolving Language and its 46 different research groups from a large variety of disciplines across Switzerland, and the University of Zurich Technology Platform LiRI (Linguistic Research Infrastructure), we seek to hire an expert in machine learning.
The successful candidate will join our Team of Data Scientists and contribute to our mission of delivering state-of-the-art machine learning solutions and workflows. The position is initially limited for a period of one year with the possibility of extension and a permanent contract. The successful candidate will join a data science task force at the NCCR's headquarters in Zurich in co-affiliation with the University of Zurich's Technology Platform LiRI (Linguistic Research Infrastructure).

Your responsibilities

If you are interested in language evolution, you want to develop the next generation machine learning solutions for research on language in relation with behavior, communication, and the brain and you enjoy collaborating with language scientists, ethologists, and neuroscientists, then you might be the person we are looking for. You will be expected to work proactively in a team of data scientists and software engineers, to provide consulting services to researchers of diverse backgrounds, to design and implement machine learning algorithms and pipelines , to help organize workshops, and to spend time in the various labs of the NCCR network. We collaborate with data science platforms at the ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne as well as with partners in industry (e.g. the Google Research Natural Language Processing Group in Zurich).

Your profile

You have a PhD degree in computer science, physics, engineering, or the natural sciences, with research experience in speech processing, animal communication, language science, computational neuroscience/linguistics, or similar fields. You are knowledgeable in problem settings in the domains relevant to the NCCR Evolving Language and are well versed with machine learning techniques including deep learning and reinforcement learning. You are experienced in developing efficient solutions in both small and big data settings. You have excellent communication and collaboration skills and you place emphasis on teamwork and on multidisciplinary perspectives.

Information on your application

We offer varied and interesting work in an inspiring and respectful environment. We promote a work environment of diversity and inclusion. We place emphasis on gender balance; we particularly encourage women to apply.
Applications should include a letter of motivation, a CV, a publication list, and 2 reference contacts in one pdf document and they should be sent via the button "Apply now".

What we offer

Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. More

What we offer

Work-Life Balance
  • Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
  • Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH


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Learning and Development
  • Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
  • Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich

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Food
  • Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
  • Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution

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Healthcare
  • Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
  • Free seasonal flu vaccinations
  • Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower

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Discounts
  • Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
  • Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
  • Special conditions on hotel reservations

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Conditions of Employment
  • Policies of the UZH
  • Most UZH staff are employed according to public law


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International Services
  • Support for people from outside Switzerland

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Campuses
  • Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
  • Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg

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Further information

Questions about the job

Richard Hahnloser
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Working at UZH
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!
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Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.

Working at UZH

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! More
UZH