PhD Student in Law / PhD Student in Law

PhD Student in Law

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

As part of the SNSF-funded project "Responsible AI for the Swiss Judiciary," we are working on real-world applications of artificial intelligence for the Swiss judiciary in close collaboration with courts and partners across Switzerland. We are seeking a dedicated PhD Student in Law. This doctoral position offers a unique opportunity to study judicial decision-making in a real-world institutional setting, combining legal analysis with experimental and empirical methods.

Job Description

The doctoral researcher will focus on the role of AI in judicial decision-making, with an emphasis on legal reasoning, behavioral responses, and institutional implications.

Core Responsibilities Include:

• Studying judicial decision-making and legal reasoning in the presence of AI tools
• Contributing to the development of experimental designs and evaluation frameworks for AI-assisted decision-making
• Collaborating with the technical team to examine the interaction between AI systems and legal users
• Publishing research findings in leading journals and presenting at international conferences
• Working towards a cumulative PhD at the intersection of law, computer science, and empirical social science

Our offices are located in downtown Zurich, and the working languages are German and English.

Profile

We are looking for candidates who:

• Hold an excellent bachelor's and master's degree in law from a Swiss university
• Have a strong interest in judicial decision-making and legal reasoning
• Are interested in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of law, AI, and social science
• Are motivated to work with quantitative empirical methods and are willing to acquire skills in experimental and quantitative research
• Have an excellent command of English; German and/or French language skills are a plus

Workplace

Your role will have a significant impact: become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development but also actively contributes to positive change in society. You can expect numerous benefits, including public transport season tickets, car sharing options, a wide range of sports offered by ASVZ, childcare, and attractive pension benefits.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich fosters an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity, and nurture a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to learn more about how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us, and we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

We look forward to receiving your online application using the form below. Please include the following documents:

• Cover letter (detailing your relevant experience for the project as well as motivation)
• CV
• Transcripts

For further information about the Center for Law & Economics, please visit our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Jakob Merane at jmerane@ethz.ch (no applications).

Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research, and the direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe and forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.