Postdoctoral Researcher in Urban Analytics -100%

Department of Geography Postdoctoral Researcher in Urban Analytics 100 % Start of employment 01.09.2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter) The Urban Analytics Unit at the University of Zurich (UZH) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position to join our team working on the development of computational tools to analyze cities in the transition to net-zero transport. The initial appointment will be for three years, with the potential for extension up to nine years and promotion to Senior Assistant (Oberassistent:in), depending on interest and performance. The appointed researcher will lead a new research project focused on developing computational methods to support an equitable transition to net-zero transport. Key objectives include: – Integrating traditional transport models (e.g., agent-based models, spatial interaction models) with data-driven approaches (e.g., deep learning) to enable generative scenario exploration – supporting the design and evaluation of interventions aimed at achieving meet net-zero and equity goals. – Developing systems for measuring and tracking the impact of net-zero policies on mobility outcomes using continuous data streams from diverse urban sources. A long-term goal is to enable detection of deviations from model predictions as they occur. – Designing methods to investigate the causes of real-world deviations from model predictions within the developed frameworks. Creating approaches to update model assumptions and fine-tune interventions in response to new data to ensure sustained progress towards policy targets. 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. This position is ideal for an early-career researcher aiming to advance their academic or applied research career. The postholder will contribute to novel research in urban analytics while developing an independent research agenda aligned with the unit's mission, with the opportunity to shape their research focus. The role also offers career development opportunities, including mentoring and the chance to gain demonstrable experience and skills in teaching, research supervision, and securing research funding. Your responsibilities – Lead and publish original research aligned with the project's objectives. – Contribute to teaching at the Bachelor's and Master's levels, including lectures and practical sessions. – Take part in the supervision, mentoring, and assessment of MSc and PhD candidates. – Actively participate in and contribute to research activities within the Urban Analytics Unit. – Contribute to project funding applications within the unit and apply for personal research funding (e.g., postdoctoral fellowships and grants). – Support the administrative and strategic management of the unit. Your profile – A completed PhD degree in a related field. – Experience with peer-reviewed publications in international journals. – Excellent organizational and communication skills. – Strong programming and analytical skills, with a commitment to open and reproducible research practices. – Experience with statistical models, simulation models, and/or machine learning methods, with a willingness to further develop these skills in the context of urban mobility. – Strong interpersonal and team collaboration skills. – Fluency in spoken and written English. – Knowledge of German is not required but would be an asset. Opportunities to learn German will be available during the appointment. What will help you thrive in this role – Strong interest in critically evaluating and using both traditional modeling and data-driven methods, and how they can be integrated to address pressing societal challenges in mobility. – Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and a proactive approach to learning and applying new methods to novel challenges. – Passion for supervision and teaching. – Collaborative mindset and an openness to working with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. – Problem-solving attitude with the ability to approach complex issues creatively and analytically. Your benefits – Competitive salary according to the University of Zurich's regulations. Postdoctoral Researchers typically start in Pay category 18, level 3. – Full-time appointment (100%) with the possibility of part-time options. – Holiday entitlement of 25 days per year plus public holidays – Regular supervision, mentoring, and support for the next stages of your career. – 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, as well as funding for research visits. Zurich and its surroundings provide 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 your interest in the position, how you meet the criteria, how you envision contributing to the research project, and how it aligns with your career goals. – A CV, including a list of publications and contact details for three referees. – Degree transcripts. – An example of a significant research contribution you have made (e.g., a scientific paper, piece of software, or book), along with a 300–500-word summary outlining why you consider this contribution significant and describing your role in the research. Please also upload the original research contribution or paper. 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