Department of Political Science

Student Assistant / Hilfsassistent:in Position 20 - 40 %

Start of employment 01.03.2025, temporary

The Department of Political Science at the University of Zurich invites applications for a fixed-term (6 months, extension possible and desirable) Student Assistant / Hilfsassistent:in starting on March 1, 2025 (or upon agreement). The position is part of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)-funded research project “Beyond Traditional Elites: Influencers' Agenda Setting Powers in the Digital Age”, led by Dr. Jonathan Klüser.

Your responsibilities

This position supports all aspects of the research project, which aims to understand how online personas translate their fame and outreach into political power. The primary responsibilities of the student assistant include:
  • Preparing and implementing surveys using Qualtrics.
  • Creating multimedia content for experiments, utilizing AI tools and/or traditional editing software.
  • Annotating various types of content (texts, images, videos) collected from social media platforms.
  • Conducting literature research on specific research questions.
This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a large-scale, multi-year research project at the intersection of political science, political communication, and computational social science.

Your profile

This position is ideal for senior BA or MA students who are able to commit to the research project for an extended period. As some aspects of the research questions and methods are still evolving, proactive candidates with a strong interest in how social media creates new political actors and transforms democratic processes are particularly encouraged to apply.

Preferred qualifications include:
  • Current enrollment in a BA or MA program in political science or political communication at a Swiss university (related fields will also be considered based on fit).
  • Prior experience with Qualtrics and a willingness to further develop this skill.
  • Familiarity with multimedia content creation and an eagerness to explore best practices in emerging AI tools.
  • Experience conducting literature research.
  • Strong ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team setting.

What we offer
  • Working in an interesting, cutting-edge research project, embedded in an interdisciplinary team of researchers
  • Hands-on experience in academic research, providing valuable insights into the workings of academia.
  • The ability to propose and potentially pursue your own research questions.
  • Access to research infrastructure to support your own projects, such as BA/MA theses.
  • A dedicated workspace at the Department of Political Science within the shared student assistant desk pool.

Information on your application

If you are interested in applying for this position, please upload your application, including motivation letter, CV, proof of academic performance and (if available) a writing sample (e.g., seminar / research paper).

The review of applications will begin after February 9, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Interviews will likely take place in the first half of February and can be done virtually if need be.

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

Dr. Jonathan Klüser
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Contact question to: Dr. Jonathan Klüser

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Questions about the application procedure

Susanne Arlt Personalverantwortliche Institut für Politikwissenschaft 044 364 39 19
Contact Form

Contact question to: Susanne Arlt

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

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