PhD Position in Social Psychology

Position: PhD Position in Social Psychology

Location: University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

Employment Type: SNSF PhD Position starting August 1st, 2025

Language Requirement: Fluent in English; Fluent in either German, French, or Italian
Application Deadline: 31.05.25

About the Position:
The Department of Psychology at the University of Zurich invites applications for a PhD position in Social Psychology, supervised by Dr. Tabea Hässler. The successful candidate will engage in research utilizing the comprehensive data set of the Swiss LGBTIQ+ Panel, a longitudinal project led by Dr. Tabea Hässler and Dr. Léïla Eisner that examines the experiences of LGBTIQ+ people in Switzerland. 

This position offers an excellent opportunity for motivated early-career researchers interested in exploring issues related to the LGBTIQ+ community. The PhD candidate will become part of an active research team led by Dr. Tabea Hässler and Dr. Léïla Eisner engaged in innovative projects alongside both Swiss and international scholars.

The PhD project aims to produce three peer-reviewed papers: one examining palliative and end-of-life care needs among LGBTIQ+ people in collaboration with researchers from CHUV and HEIG-VD; a second investigating health disparities within the LGBTIQ+ population, and a third using longitudinal data.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct independent research within the scope of the Swiss LGBTIQ+ Panel.
• Contribute to the research activities (such as setting up and pretesting our annual surveys, data preparation) and outreach efforts (including a descriptive report and social media posts) for the Swiss LGBTIQ+ Panel.
• Prepare and submit research publications and conference presentations.
• Contribute to the academic and wider community through seminars and workshops.
• Assist with student supervision.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in (Social) Psychology or a related field
• Strong interest in social psychology research and LGBTIQ+ research
• Experience with quantitative research methods and statistical analysis (e.g., R)
• Knowledge of qualitative research methods are a plus
• Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in either German, French, or Italian
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Good written and verbal communication skills

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Experience: Contribute to meaningful research and outreach activities that supports LGBTIQ+ rights and well-being in Switzerland and beyond.
• Supportive Environment: Work in a collaborative and inclusive team that values diverse perspectives.
• International Experience: We collaborate with established scholars from around the world and attend international conferences. 

How to Apply:

If you are enthusiastic about research and LGBTIQ+ issues, as well as bridging science and the wider public, and meet the qualifications listed, we would love to hear from you! Please send your CV, a cover letter, any relevant work samples (e.g., master’s theses, scientific publication), and the names as well as contact details of two to three referees to tabea.haessler@uzh.ch and leila.eisner2@uzh.ch by 31.05.2025. We will review the materials on a rolling basis.