URPP Digital Religion(s) / Institute of Social Ethics

Phd candidate / Postdoctoral Researcher in Theological Ethics 75 - 100 %

Start of employment Jan 1st 2025 or by agreement, temporary

As part of the strategic orientation of the University of Zurich, the interdisciplinary University Research Priority Program (URPP) “Digital Religion(s)” is investigating from 2021 to 2032 how current dynamics of digitalization influence, shape, and transform religious practices in different societal contexts. More specifically, it will examine how individual and institutional actors communicate religiously in hybrid online-offline settings and how they assert their public claim to societal orientation.

The research cluster “Conspiracy Theories in Online Environments and Their Religious Connotations,” will commence on Jan 1st 2025 as one of four subareas of the URPP. It deals with the influence of digitalization on the dynamics of conspiracy-theoretical communication in digital spaces and with the relationship between digitality, religion, and conspiracy theories, drawing on the perspectives of the study of religion, linguistics, and ethics.

The URPP “Digital Religion(s)” offers you a multifaceted role in a forward-looking, interdisciplinary, and excellent research priority program of high scientific, political, and societal relevance. We offer you the opportunity to collaborate within an inspiring network of outstanding researchers from various disciplines with career opportunities inside and outside academia, as well as an attractive workplace in the heart of Zurich.

The position is initially limited to four years.

Your responsibilities

  • Depending on your qualifications you will have the opportunity to conduct your own research with the goal of qualifying as a postdoctoral researcher or as a PhD candidate (habilitation/doctorate) in the field of theological ethics.
  • You will be co-responsible for planning and conducting the ethical research project within the cluster on the topic “Religious Communication and Conspiracy Theories – Ethical Criteria of Responsible Reli-gious Online Communication.”
  • You will contribute to the thematic and methodological collaboration and evaluation of the results of the three sub-projects (Religious Studies, Linguistics, Theological Ethics).
  • Your main tasks include the scientific and further publication of the research cluster's results, for example through social media appearances and "Science goes Public" formats.
  • Additionally, you will participate in the activities of the entire URPP research consortium, especially through further interdisciplinary collaboration beyond the individual clusters.
  • Depending on the agreement with the cluster's project leaders and your direct supervisor, a willingness to acquire third-party funding, collaborate in organizing workshops, and ac-tively participate in national and international conferences is expected.

Your profile

  • You have an excellent academic degree or PhD in Systematic Theology (ideally with an ethical focus) or a related discipline and possess strong knowledge in planning, conducting, and analyzing subject-related research studies.
  • Knowledge in empirical methods, particularly qualitative social research, and experience in interdisciplinary collaboration between ethics and empirical social research are welcome.
  • Ideally, you have already engaged with questions and phenomena of digital religious practices and their academic reflection.
  • Proficiency in English is required; additional knowledge of Swiss national languages is an advantage.

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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Location

URPP Digital Religion(s) / Institute of Social Ethics

Stampfenbachstrasse 106, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland

Information on your application

Please submit your application online as pdf with the usual documents, as well as information about your motivation and a sketch of initial ideas for an ethical research project within the cluster (max. one DIN A4 page) electronically by Oct 20th 2024.

Further information

Questions about the job

Prof. Dr. Michael Coors Director of the Institute of Social Ethics +41 44 634 85 10
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Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.

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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
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