Department of Informatics

Ph.D. - Large Scale User Experiments with Recommender Systems 100 %

Start of employment 01.02.2025, temporary

The Dynamic and Distributed Information Systems Group at the University of Zurich, Department of Informatics, investigates the foundations and technical means for building systems that dynamically adapt to changes in the environment or in their goals and/or require the collaboration of many human or computational actors to achieve their goals.

Your responsibilities

The Dynamic and Distributed Information Systems Group at the University of Zurich, Department of Informatics is looking for motivated applicants, who are interested in investigating how recommender systems can adhere to normative and beyond-accuracy objectives, as well as be made explainable, fair, and/or trustworthy.
In the tradition of our research group to explore both the technical and behavioral dimension of computer science, we are seeking interested Ph.D. students to investigate the traditional computer science approach of how normative and responsible recommender systems can be built, as well as running large-scale behavioral studies in online environments to measure the impact of such recommender systems on user behaviour.

Your profile

The position is available for candidates interested in these topics, who have a MSc in Computer Science or a related discipline (or will be receiving it shortly), as well as a passion for discovering new things. Experience in areas of recommender systems, artificial intelligence, and/or behavioral analyses such as experiments with human subjects or surveys are considered a plus but are not strictly necessary.
We offer:
  • A first-class experimental recommender systems research infrastructure with a proven track-record of multiple premier outlet publications
  • A highly exciting, timely, and societally important as well as meaningful research topic
  • A diverse and multi-disciplinary research group of highly motivated colleagues who are passionate about topics at the intersection of computer science, AI, and social science
  • Strong support for your professional/career development
  • Attractive work environment both within the research group and beyond: the University of Zurich is one of Switzerland's leading universities in the middle of a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that regularly ranks as one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the world
  • Generous support for professional travel and research needs

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

Oana Inel
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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!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/explore/work.html

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