Department of Philosophy

PhD Position in Philosophy 80 - 100 %

Start of employment 01.04.2025, note later than May 1, 2025, permanent employment

The Institute of Philosophy, Ethics Research Institute at the University of Zurich offers a 4-year fully funded (SNSF) PhD position under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Michael Messerli.

Your responsibilities

  • Writing a dissertation
  • Collaborate with team members and other researchers and institutions
  • Assisting with the planing of conferences and participating in research colloquia and in international conferences

Your profile

he candidate should:
  • Have a master's degree in philosophy at the moment of starting the PhD position
  • Have a strong analytical background
  • Be an independent thinker, enthusiastic and physically present
  • Be socially competent and motivated to work with people in the Department
  • Sufficient command of English to conduct research and other activities listed above, knowledge of German is desirable.
In tackling problems related to motivational change the applicant can work within the following areas: Nudging, Adaptive preferences, Ethics, Rationality, Value Theory, Decision Theory. Other topics related to the project on Motivational Change

Information on your application

Applications must be sent by e-mail Michael Messerli by 20 January 2025. They should include the following documents (in one single pdf file):
  • CV
  • A short description of which research question the candidate would be interested to work with (approx. 2 pages)
  • A writing sample (e.g. a Chapter of MA-thesis, approx. 15-20 pages)
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in February 2025 (in Zurich or via Zoom).

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

Michael Messerli SNSF Professorship
Contact Form

Contact question to: Michael Messerli

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Questions about the application procedure

Lisa Brun HR representative 044 634 85 40
Contact Form

Contact question to: Lisa Brun

Thank you for your message. We will get back to you shortly.
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
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