PhD Position Urban Analytics - Housing Affordability, Accessibility, and Urban Inequalities -80%

Department of Geography PhD Position Urban Analytics – Housing Affordability, Accessibility, and Urban Inequalities 80 % Start of employment 01.09.2025 (or by agreement) The Urban Analytics Unit at the University of Zurich invites applications for a 4-year PhD position as part of a new research program. The PhD project will focus on spatial and social inequalities in housing affordability and explore future pathways in the context of urban change and Zurich's policy commitment to expanding non-profit housing. The PhD project will involve – Quantifying housing affordability and accessibility trends across different socioeconomic groups, housing tenures, and neighborhoods using a combination of emerging digital data sources (e.g., tax records, real estate platforms) and traditional data (e.g., surveys). – Investigating the impacts of specific housing policies and initiatives (e.g., rent control, non-profit housing) on the spatial distribution of affordable housing and their effectiveness in providing access to urban opportunities for different socio-demographic groups. – Developing scenario models to explore future housing pathways under projected population growth, in line with Zurich's policy targets for expanding non-profit housing. The University of Zurich (UZH) is the largest university in Switzerland, with 28,000 students and 9,000 employees. As a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) , UZH is among Europe's leading research institutions. It offers a culturally diverse and inspiring working environment and actively promotes international research collaboration. The position is open to both Swiss and international applicants and will be funded at the standard 80% employment level for doctoral students. The initial appointment is for the first year, with a three-year extension following an internal evaluation. Your responsibilities – Take the lead on the PhD research project outlined above, conducting original research that will form the core of your doctoral work. – Lead the collection, integration, and analysis of relevant data sources, and develop simulation models for scenario testing of potential futures. – Present your research at national and international conferences and publish in high-quality peer-reviewed journals. – Participate in the Graduate School in Geography and Earth System Science and complete the associated requirements. – Contribute to teaching, research, and services within the Urban Analytics Unit. Your profile – A completed MSc degree (including thesis) in urban analytics, spatial data science, geography, GIScience, or a related field. – Experience in empirical data analysis, ideally including geospatial data. – Familiarity with data analysis methods, and a willingness to develop these further in the context of urban housing. – Proficiency in programming and computational tools (e.g., Python, R), and/or a strong willingness to develop these skills during the PhD. – Strong communication and organizational skills. – Fluency in spoken and written English. – Knowledge of German is not required, but it will be an asset, particularly for understanding the local policy context and working with relevant datasets. There will also be opportunities to learn German during the PhD. What will help you thrive in this role – A strong interest in understanding cities, with a focus on the interaction between urban planning, housing, and social systems, and how these systems are influenced by policy, societal, and behavioral factors. – An enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and a proactive approach to learning new methods and applying them to novel challenges. – A collaborative mindset and an openness to working with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. – A problem-solving attitude with the ability to approach complex issues creatively and analytically. Your benefits – Your PhD will be part of a structured programme at the Graduate School of Geography and Earth System Science – 70% of your time will be protected for your research. – Pay according to the regulations of the University of Zurich for PhD Candidates (at the standard employment level for doctoral students of 80%) – Holiday entitlement of 25 days per year plus public holidays – Regular supervision, mentoring, and support for academic and professional development. – UZH offers attractive working conditions and opportunities for further education. We offer a stimulating and supportive research environment, with diverse opportunities for collaboration both within the University and with external partners. Zurich and its surroundings offer a high quality of life, with rich cultural offerings and easy access to nature. Information on your application To find out more about the research undertaken at the Urban Analytics group, visit our web page. More general information about teaching and research in the Department of Geography is available here. For any inquiries about the position, please contact Prof. Esra Suel at esra.suel@geo.uzh.ch. To apply, please upload the following documents in English in our job portal: – A motivation letter explaining why you want to apply for this position and how you meet the criteria outlined above. – A CV and the contact details for two to three referees. – Degree transcripts. – A 500-word summary of your Master's thesis, outlining the scientific motivation, methods, key results, and implications of your work. Please also upload your Master's thesis separately. The initial deadline for applications is June 12, 2025 . Review of applications will commence thereafter and will continue until the position is filled. What we offer Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. More What we offer Work-Life Balance – Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing) – Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH More Learning and Development – Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich – Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich More Food – Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias – Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution More Healthcare – Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ – Free seasonal flu vaccinations – Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower More Discounts – Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space – Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions – Special conditions on hotel reservations More Conditions of Employment – Policies of the UZH – Most UZH staff are employed according to public law More International Services – Support for people from outside Switzerland More Campuses – Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren – Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg More Location Department of Geography Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland Further information Questions about the job Prof. Dr. Esra Suel Contact Form Contact question to: Prof. Dr. Esra Suel Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *I accept the privacy policySend Thank you for your message. We will get back to you shortly. Working at UZH The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More → https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/explore/work.html Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch. Working at UZH The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More