Are you passionate about social justice, educational equality, youth studies, and qualitative research? The Department of Geography at the University of Zurich (UZH) is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD Position in Human Geography as part of an innovative Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) research project examining institutional racism and classism within highly selective secondary schools in Switzerland.

This exceptional doctoral opportunity offers aspiring researchers the chance to contribute to cutting-edge research, pursue a doctoral degree within a structured graduate program, engage with young people and educational institutions, and develop an academic career in one of Europe’s leading universities.

The position is offered at 80% employment and is scheduled to begin on 1 October 2026 or by mutual agreement.

About the University of Zurich

The University of Zurich (UZH) is the largest university in Switzerland, with approximately 30,000 students and over 10,000 employees. Renowned for its excellence in research, innovation, and teaching, UZH provides an intellectually stimulating environment where doctoral researchers can thrive.

Located in Zurich, one of the world’s most livable cities, UZH offers outstanding academic resources, international collaboration opportunities, and a vibrant multicultural atmosphere.

About the Research Project

The successful candidate will join the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)-funded project titled:

“Institutional Conditions for Racially and/or Socio-Economically Minoritized Students at Highly Selective Secondary Schools in Switzerland.”

The project is led by Dr. Sara Landolt, Principal Investigator and researcher at the Department of Geography.

Research Context

Educational systems across many Western societies continue to reproduce social inequalities. In Switzerland, racially and socio-economically minoritized students remain significantly underrepresented in academically selective state-funded secondary schools known as Gymnasia.

Existing international research suggests that students from marginalized backgrounds often experience institutional discrimination, including:

Racism
Classism
Social exclusion
Structural inequalities
Barriers to educational advancement

Despite growing awareness of these issues, there remains limited research exploring how institutional racism and classism operate within highly selective educational environments.

Main Aim of the Project

The project seeks to deepen understanding of:

Institutional racism in education
Institutional classism
The intersection of race and socio-economic inequalities
Strategies for preventing discrimination
Practices that promote inclusive educational environments

The research adopts a post-structuralist processual perspective inspired by the work of Ahmed (2012).

Research Objectives

The study pursues several important objectives:

1. Investigating the Reproduction of Inequality

The project seeks to uncover the underlying mechanisms that reproduce:

Racism
Classism
Intersecting forms of discrimination
Resistance to discriminatory practices

within Gymnasia in German-speaking Switzerland.

2. Identifying Effective Practices

Researchers will explore successful initiatives already implemented within schools to address and reduce:

Racism
Socio-economic exclusion
Educational inequalities

3. Understanding Student Experiences

The project aims to understand:

How institutional discrimination affects students
How students respond to and navigate discriminatory environments
Strategies students use to cope with and challenge inequalities

4. Supporting Educational Change

Findings will be shared with school leaders to help create educational environments that are free from racism and classism.

Responsibilities of the PhD Researcher

The selected doctoral researcher will play a central role in the project and will work closely with Dr. Sara Landolt.

Key responsibilities include:

Research Activities

Designing and implementing project activities.
Conducting original fieldwork.
Carrying out qualitative interviews.
Working with school leaders and students.
Collecting and managing research data.

Fieldwork

The researcher will conduct qualitative interviews with:

Headteachers of Gymnasia.
Racially minoritized students.
Socio-economically minoritized students.

The fieldwork will primarily take place in German-speaking Switzerland.

Data Analysis

Responsibilities include:

Qualitative data coding and analysis.
Participatory data analysis workshops.
Interpretation of research findings.
Development of evidence-based recommendations.

Doctoral Dissertation

The successful candidate will complete a paper-based doctoral dissertation based on the project findings.

Academic Contributions

The researcher will:

Participate in project workshops.
Attend international conferences.
Contribute to scholarly publications.
Produce practice-oriented outputs.
Engage with stakeholders and educational institutions.

Teaching Responsibilities

The position also includes contributions to:

Human Geography teaching.
Geography Teacher Training Unit (GTT) activities.
Departmental service responsibilities.

Graduate School Participation

The doctoral candidate will participate in the:

Zurich Graduate School in Geography & Earth System Science

which provides structured doctoral training and professional development opportunities.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is ideal for individuals who are passionate about:

Educational equality
Social justice
Human geography
Youth studies
Qualitative research
Racism and classism studies
Institutional change
Participatory methodologies

Applicants should have a strong commitment to critical and socially relevant research.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

A completed Master’s degree or be close to completion.
Academic training in a relevant discipline.
Experience in qualitative research methods.
Excellent communication skills.
Strong teamwork abilities.
Interest in field-based research.
Motivation to engage with issues of inequality and justice.

Relevant Academic Backgrounds Include:

Geography
Sociology
Educational Studies
Youth Studies
Social Anthropology
Social Work
Related disciplines

Additional Advantage

Experience with participatory research methods will be considered a strong asset.

Language Requirements

Applicants must be fluent in:

German
English

Both written and spoken proficiency are required.

Benefits of the Position

The University of Zurich offers an outstanding package of academic and professional benefits.

Academic Benefits

Fully funded doctoral position.
SNSF-funded research environment.
Structured doctoral training.
Regular academic mentoring.
Career development support.
International conference participation.
Publication opportunities.

Employment Benefits

Salary according to Swiss National Science Foundation scales.
Dedicated office workspace.
Technical equipment and research support.
Access to university resources.

Work-Life Balance

Flexible working arrangements.
Part-time employment model.
Family-friendly policies.
Childcare support options.

Professional Development

Continuing education courses.
Language training opportunities.
Skills development programs.

Health and Wellbeing

Access to sports facilities through ASVZ.
Seasonal flu vaccinations.
Wellbeing and relaxation facilities.

Discounts and Additional Perks

Car-sharing programs.
Vehicle rental discounts.
Technology discounts.
Mobile phone subscription offers.
Hotel reservation discounts.

International Support

The university provides dedicated support for international staff relocating to Switzerland.

Living in Zurich

Zurich consistently ranks among the best cities in the world for quality of life.

Residents benefit from:

Safe and clean urban environments.
Excellent public transportation.
Rich cultural life.
International communities.
Access to lakes and mountains.
Outdoor recreation opportunities.
World-class educational institutions.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit all materials as a single PDF file in English.

Required documents include:

Motivation Letter.
Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Contact details of two referees.
Academic transcripts.
Writing sample (such as an MSc thesis).
Essay (400–500 words).

Essay Topic

Applicants should explain:

Their interest in researching racism and/or classism in education and their conceptual approach; OR
Their interest in conducting research with young people and the methodological challenges involved.

Application Deadline

Initial Application Deadline: 8 July 2026

Shortlisted candidates are expected to be notified by mid-July 2026.

Applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application through the University of Zurich recruitment portal.

For inquiries regarding the position, applicants may contact:

Dr. Sara Landolt

Department of Geography

University of Zurich

Zurich, Switzerland

This fully funded PhD opportunity offers an exceptional pathway for aspiring scholars interested in educational justice, qualitative research, and social transformation. Researchers seeking to contribute to meaningful societal change while pursuing doctoral studies at one of Europe’s top universities should strongly consider applying.

Apply here

Learn More

For more information about this opportunity, Click here

More global PhD opportunities for youth, visit the OFY website: Click here