Research Associate - Health Ethics & Policy Lab
50%-100%, Zurich, fixed-term
Are you excited about the ethical and policy challenges emerging from digital health, AI, and cutting-edge biomedicine? Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary environment where philosophy intersects with data science, public health, medicine, and law?
At the Health Ethics & Policy Lab (https://bioethics.ethz.ch), you will join a dedicated team committed to shaping responsible innovation in rapidly evolving areas of biomedicine. Based in one of the world’s leading universities, your contributions will shape research that informs policy, advances academic debate, and engages the public.
Project Background
We are looking for early-career researchers, recent PhD graduates, advanced master's graduates with research experience, and professionals with 1-5 years of experience in bioethics, science and technology governance, or related fields.
Job Description
In this role, you will take on significant responsibilities within a dynamic research environment and contribute to ongoing and new projects. You will:
- Work closely with interdisciplinary teams, including senior faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and trainees, sharing your expertise and driving initiatives in joint projects.
- Support empirical research using methods such as surveys, qualitative interviews, focus groups, or computational social science approaches.
- Engage in innovative research and policy projects focused on the ethics and governance of digital health, artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and biomedical innovation.
- Contribute to teaching-related activities, including course preparation and seminar support.
- Participate in and help organize lab events such as retreats, seminar series, and public engagement activities.
- Communicate research results clearly, professionally, and with academic rigor in both written and verbal formats.
Profile
You are a motivated and curious researcher who thrives in collaborative and interdisciplinary settings. You possess:
- A completed doctoral degree (preferred) or an advanced master's degree with relevant research experience.
- Strong research skills and ideally some prior publications.
- Experience in at least one empirical method (survey research, qualitative methods, or computational social science).
- An academic or practical background in at least one of the following areas: health policy, bioethics, biomedicine, biomedical research, clinical research ethics, science and technology governance, biomedical innovation, public health, or health law.
- Excellent written and spoken English (the working language of the lab).
- Preferably, very good German and/or French language skills to support project needs.
- A collaborative mindset, strong critical thinking skills, and the ability to work independently.
- A clear interest in the ethical and policy dimensions of emerging biotechnologies.
- Current residency in Switzerland.
The position is offered on an annual renewable contract for up to 6 years.
Workplace
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities and consistently ranks among the global top ten. It provides students with an ideal environment for independent thinking and offers researchers a vibrant, high-performance academic culture. Located in the heart of Europe and connected to institutions worldwide, ETH Zurich is at the forefront of driving innovative solutions to global challenges. Here, you can look forward to a meaningful and impactful role.
We Offer
- A meaningful career: ETH Zurich supports your professional development and enables you to contribute to responsible innovation and societal well-being.
- A commitment to diversity: We welcome and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. ETH Zurich is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive research environment.
- Flexibility: We are pleased to discuss part-time arrangements (with a minimum employment level of 50%) and flexible working schedules, including partial home-office options.
- Attractive employee benefits, including:
- Public transport subsidies and mobility support
- Car-sharing options
- A wide range of sports and training opportunities through ASVZ
- High-quality childcare services
- Attractive pension plans
- A commitment to sustainability: Work at a university dedicated to a climate-neutral and sustainable future.
- A collaborative, international, and intellectually stimulating research environment within the Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST).
- The opportunity to actively contribute to high-impact scholarship at the intersection of ethics, technology, and health.
Apply Online
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
About ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is a premier university specializing in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, groundbreaking research, and the direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries find our university a place that encourages independent thinking and inspires excellence. Located at the heart of Europe and building connections worldwide, we collaborate to develop solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s global challenges.