Research Associate / Research Associate

Join Our Team at the Health Ethics & Policy Lab

Are you intrigued by the ethical and policy challenges arising from digital health, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge biomedicine? Do you thrive in an interdisciplinary environment where philosophy intersects with data science, public health, medicine, and law?

At the Health Ethics & Policy Lab, you will become part of a dedicated team that is committed to shaping responsible innovation in rapidly evolving biomedicine. Based at one of the world’s leading universities, you will contribute to research that informs policy, advances academic discourse, and engages the public.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking 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.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will take on responsibilities in a dynamic research environment and contribute to ongoing and new projects. Your tasks will include:

• Collaborating closely with interdisciplinary teams, including senior faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and trainees, while contributing your expertise to joint projects.
• Supporting empirical research using methods such as surveys, qualitative interviews, focus groups, or computational social science approaches.
• Driving innovative research and policy initiatives on the ethics and governance of digital health, artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and biomedical innovation.
• Engaging in teaching-related activities, including course preparation and seminar support.
• Participating in and helping to organize lab events such as retreats, seminar series, and public engagement activities.
• Communicating research results clearly, professionally, and with academic rigor in both written and verbal formats.

Your Profile

You are a motivated and inquisitive researcher who excels 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 prior publications.
• Experience with at least one empirical approach (survey research, qualitative methods, or computational social science).
• An academic or practical background in one or more 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 meet project needs.
• A collaborative mindset, strong critical thinking abilities, and the capacity to work independently.
• A clear interest in the ethical and policy dimensions of emerging biotechnologies.

Additional Information

Applicants should already reside in Switzerland. The position is offered on an annual renewable contract for up to 6 years.

About ETH Zurich

Founded in 1855, ETH Zurich ranks among the world’s leading universities and consistently features in the global top ten. It provides an ideal environment for independent thinking and offers a vibrant, high-performance academic culture. Located in the heart of Europe and connected to institutions worldwide, ETH Zurich is dedicated to driving innovative solutions to address today’s and tomorrow’s global challenges. Here, you can look forward to a meaningful and impactful role.

What 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 applications from candidates of all backgrounds, fostering a diverse and inclusive research environment.
• Flexibility: We are open to discussing part-time arrangements (with a minimum employment level of 50%) and flexible working schedules, including partial remote work options.
• Attractive employee benefits, including public transport subsidies, car-sharing options, a wide array of sports and training opportunities, high-quality childcare services, and appealing 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 using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents as a single PDF:

• Curriculum vitae (CV) – maximum 2 pages, excluding the publication list.
• A one-page statement of purpose detailing your experience and motivation.
• Contact information for at least two referees who can provide letters of recommendation (including at least one from a supervisor, academic mentor, professor, or PI).

Application review begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

For further information about our Department, please visit our website. For questions, feel free to contact Dr. Alessandro Blasimme at alessandro.blasimme@hest.ethz.ch.