Faculty of Law (URPP Human Reproduction Reloaded | H2R)

PhD position in the field of law and human reproduction 80 %

Start of employment 1 January 2025 or by arrangement, temporary

The University Research Priority Program (URPP) "Human Reproduction Reloaded | H2R" explores rapidly developing medical technologies in the field of human reproduction, the societal challenges they pose and their legal implications. This interdisciplinary positioned URPP is hosted by the Faculty of Law and brings together researchers from six faculties as well as from various disciplines from the humanities, social, medical and natural sciences. The URPP's phase 2 (2025-2028) revolves around three main research foci: family, kinship and gender; declining fertility and non-reproduction; and CRISPR.
More information about the URPP, the people involved, the research and the activities to date can be found here.

With a position at the chair of Prof. Dr. Margaria we offer you:

  • Focus on the PhD project and regular feedback from qualified peers and experts from the various fields involved.
  • A stimulating environment with the highest level of expertise from all areas related to the research question as well as excellent opportunities for networking with both experts and the public.
  • Attractive employment conditions (SNF conditions, limited to 3 years), including flexible working hours.

Your responsibilities

  • You write a doctoral thesis in the field of law and human reproduction
  • You participate in the URPP's events and actively take advantage of the opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange and interfaculty networking.
  • You are able and willing to apply for a third-party-funding for your PhD thesis after a two-year period.

Your profile

  • You hold an excellent degree in the field of law.
  • You have a strong interest in researching legal questions pertaining to human reproduction in one or more of these legal fields: family law, gender and the law, human rights law, and medical law. Previous experience with and/or the willingness to employ socio-legal and/or empirical methods in your project is highly desirable.
  • You are fluent in English as an academic working language; fluency in German is desirable.
  • You are an enthusiastic person with a community spirit and a strong sense of initiative and you are able to work in an international and interdisciplinary environment.

Information on your application

Please attach the following documents to the application form:
  • your detailed CV, including - if applicable - relevant publications;
  • your project proposal in the field of law and human reproduction (see details below);
  • a letter of motivation;
  • your (draft) Master's thesis or, if not available in English or German, another substantial writing sample;
  • academic transcripts (list of grades obtained) of Bachelor's and Master's.

The project proposal should be structured as follows:

1. Problem Statement - please explain background of the proposal and the scientific and/or societal problem you intend to address in your research (max 500 words);

2. Research question - please describe the main research question and the sub-questions (max 300 words);

3. Research design and methodology - please describe the proposed research and its objectives, specificy the research design, the methods and explain the link between the proposed research questions and the methodology (max 1000 words);

4. Literature - please explain how your research is situated in the existing literature (max 400 words);

5. Originality - please explain how your research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge (max 400 words);

6. Time plan - please describe the work plan, including a time schedule;

7. Embedding in the URPP and in the Faculty of Law - please explain how your proposal fits within the URPP's and the Faculty's research programme (max 200 words).

The word-limits do not include footnotes.

Deadline for submission: December 8, 2024, exclusively electronically and in a single PDF document, to alice.margaria@ius.uzh.ch – or click on the "Apply now" button.

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

Prof. Dr. Alice Margaria
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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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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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