Department of Economics

Predoctoral Fellow in Behavioral & Experimental Economics and Economic Applications of Artificial Intelligence Methods 70 %

Start of employment flexible between June and October 2025, temporary

The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in developing cutting-edge research, collaborating with Professor Graeber and his co-author network at Harvard and throughout Europe. His current and planned empirical research investigates how complexity influences behavior in real-world applications including finance, consumer choice, and political behavior. The work heavily relies on online and field experiments, analysis of natural language data, and AI applications such as synthetic experiments with LLM agents.

Your responsibilities

All tasks involve data and require strong coding skills. We hire up to two predocs and tailor each predoc's responsibilities to their background and personal goals. For example, a candidate with strong CS background might primarily work on synthetic experiments. The predoc's duties include a selection of the below:
  • Designing and implementing choice experiments.
  • Analyzing survey, observational, textual and speech data.
  • Artificial intelligence applications, such as synthetic experiments using LLM techniques.
  • Contributing to the development of theoretical frameworks for behavioral phenomona.

Your profile

Master's degree in economics, statistics, computer science, mathematics, quantitative sciences, or a related field.
  • Strong programming skills (Python is required; some knowledge of R or Stata desirable).
  • Strong project management and communication skills in spoken and written English.
  • Some experience with natural language processing, large language models or other machine-learning experience desirable (but not required).
  • Prior experience as research assistant desirable.

Join a dynamic international research team and the Zurich predoc program.
  • Opportunities to acquire skills necessary to conduct independent research.
  • Support during your PhD application process or non-academic job search.
  • A competitive salary in line with University of Zurich standards.

Information on your application

Application: Please submit your application (including cover letter, CV, transcript of grades, at least one letter of recommendation). Applications will be reviewed as they are received and we welcome applications until positions are filled.

Job start: This position has a flexible start date between June and October 2025. The appointment will be for one year and may be extended by one additional year.

Further Information: Thomas Graeber is currently a professor at Harvard Business School and will join the University of Zurich as the NOMIS Chair of Cognitive and Neuroeconomics in summer 2025.

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

Thomas Graeber Professor
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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
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