Research Assistant in Quantitative Social Science / Research Assistantess in Quantitative Social Science

Research Assistant in Quantitative Social Science

Location: Zurich | Employment Rate: 10%-30% | Contract Duration: Fixed-term, 6 months

The Immigration Policy Lab, in collaboration with the Swiss Economic Institute (KOF), is seeking a Research Assistant in Quantitative Social Science. This position is set to commence on February 1st or upon mutual agreement.

Project Background

Our lab focuses on evaluating policies and designing scalable solutions aimed at enhancing the lives of immigrants and strengthening host communities. You will contribute to a quantitative research project that analyzes large-scale click data from an online job platform along with administrative data sources. The goal is to investigate hiring discrimination faced by ethnic and immigrant minorities in Switzerland.

Job Description

• Support the project through various tasks, including data cleaning and processing, visualization, and preliminary statistical analyses.
• Assist the team with additional tasks such as text annotation, literature searches, and other relevant activities.

Profile

• Currently enrolled in a master’s program at a Swiss university/ETH, focusing on data science or statistical methods (data science, computer science, economics, social sciences, etc.).
• Strong programming skills in R (knowledge of Git, Stata, and/or Python is an advantage).
• Experience in data cleaning and management with complex datasets.
• Detail-oriented, reliable, and structured working style.
• Strong communication skills in technical matters and data analysis.
• Proactive in formulating questions and seeking guidance as needed.
• Curious, self-motivated, and possess a strong sense of ownership over work.
• Fluency in English and/or German, both oral and written.

Workplace

Join a highly collaborative work environment where you will work closely with the project team at IPL and KOF at ETH Zurich.

Our Offer

• Hands-on experience in an empirical research project focused on creating tangible social impact for immigrants.
• Professional supervision by experienced researchers, supporting your career development as a data scientist, applied econometrician, or quantitative social scientist.
• Salary and pension benefits in accordance with ETH regulations.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

ETH Zurich cultivates an inclusive culture that promotes equality of opportunity and values diversity. We nurture a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to learn more about our commitment to a fair and open environment that fosters growth and development for everyone. Sustainability is a core value for us, and we are committed to working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

If you are interested, please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For more information about the position, please contact Kristina Schüpbach at schuepbach@kof.ethz.ch (Subject: Research Assistant). For further details on the Immigration Policy Lab and the public policy group, please visit our respective websites.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology, renowned for excellent education, cutting-edge research, and the direct transfer of knowledge into society. With over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries, our university fosters independent thinking and provides an inspiring environment for excellence. Situated in the heart of Europe, we collaborate globally to tackle today's and tomorrow's challenges.