Postdoctoral Position in Science, Technology and Society; STS

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Ethics, Technology and Society research group in the department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (D-GESS), led by Prof. Dr. Margarita Boenig-Liptsin, is inviting applications for a Post-doctoral researcher in Science, Technology and Society (STS).

The fulltime position is limited to two years, with possibility of extension, and is paid according to the fixed salary rates of ETH Zurich. This position is intended for researchers who have completed their PhD in January 2027 at the latest or within the last 2 years.

Research in the Ethics, Technology and Society group is on the mutual interplay of science, technology and society using frameworks and methods from Science, Technology & Society (STS), history, philosophy, anthropology, critical theory, and the arts. We privilege interpretive, qualitative methods that combine situated ethnographic detail with deep knowledge of cultural and political contexts and histories, ideally in a cross-national comparative perspective.

You can learn more about the research of the group on its website.

The successful candidate for the Post-doctoral researcher position is expected to develop empirical research (ethnographic field work, document and policy analysis, historical research) with youth, parent and guardian groups who move to understand and respond to the impacts of digital technologies on children and young adults in Switzerland and Europe. The candidate will develop their research within the framework of the SNSF-funded research project States of Anxiety:
Expertise and Activism in Digital and Ecological Environments. The candidate will work closely with the PI and Senior Scientific Assistant to develop the project’s framework, empirical sites, and contribute to its deliverables.

We are in particular looking for candidates who have interest and experience with STS and humanities pedagogy, and cross-cutting analysis between environmental and digital domains. We are also interested in candidates who value engaging publicly on topics of the ethical, social, and political aspects of science and technology, within the university, in communities of the city and canton of Zurich, and in dialogue with diverse social actors.

• Perform qualitative social science (STS) research in the above-mentioned area in fulfillment of the research project, States of Anxiety:
  Expertise and Activism in Digital and Ecological Environments
• Work towards publications in recognized international journals, including co-authored papers with other group members
• Engage on topics of ethical, social, and political aspects of digital technologies within the ETH Public Policy School, the university, Zürich civil society, activist groups, and wider publics
• Participate regularly in the events of the Ethics, Technology and Society research group and support the work of the group, including the organization of meetings, project maintenance, planning of project events, workshops, conferences
• Actively engage with professors, students, and researchers at the D-GESS department, ETH Zürich, and in the Swiss and international STS community
• (Co-)Develop and (co)-teach MA level and Bachelor level courses in the Science in Perspective Program , in accordance with project outputs

Essential experience, skills and characteristics:

• Completed PhD latest by January 2027 or have completed within the last 2 years a dissertation in Science, Technology and Society (STS) or a related field, e.g. History and/or Philosophy of Science and/or Technology, Anthropology, Geography, Law, (Qualitative) Policy Studies, Innovation Studies, Sociology, Political Science. Interested…