Postdoctoral Researcher in Cross-Cultural Psycho-/Neurolinguistics — Universität Zürich
- Location
- Zürich
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- 31 days ago
Role overview
Institute for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution (ISLE)
Start of employment 1 October 2026 or by agreement, temporary
- Institute for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution (ISLE)
- Start of employment 1 October 2026 or by agreement, temporary
- Your responsibilities
- In collaboration with a team from the NCCR Work Package “Events” and under the supervision of Professor Balthasar Bickel, the postdoc will lead and develop a series of studies using chiefly experimental methods to investigate language processing and planning and the wider cognitive background of this in a diverse set of languages, drawing chiefly on the NCCR's existing network of collaborations worldwide (NCCR research facilities).
- Successful candidates will be thoroughly familiar with experimental methods and statistical data analysis in language science.
- They are trained in psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, and/or linguistics and are keen on engaging with evolutionary questions.
Main responsibilities
- Your responsibilities
- In collaboration with a team from the NCCR Work Package “Events” and under the supervision of Professor Balthasar Bickel, the postdoc will lead and develop a series of studies using chiefly experimental methods to investigate language processing and planning and the wider cognitive background of this in a diverse set of languages, drawing chiefly on the NCCR's existing network of collaborations worldwide (NCCR research facilities).
- Place of work is Zurich, Switzerland, but the successful candidate is expected to conduct experiments in various places across the world.
Key requirements
- Successful candidates will be thoroughly familiar with experimental methods and statistical data analysis in language science.
- They are trained in psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, and/or linguistics and are keen on engaging with evolutionary questions.
- Experience with cross-cultural fieldwork is an additional strong asset.
- The NCCR Evolving Language places great emphasis on teamwork and multidisciplinary perspectives.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential.
- Excellent oral and written communication in English is required. What we offer
- Find out more: https://www.uzh.ch/de/explore/work.html. 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 Food
- Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution Healthcare
What the company offers
- Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers.
Application process
- The NCCR Evolving Language (www.evolvinglanguage.ch) invites applications for a postdoctoral position in cross-cultural research on language processing and its relationship with other aspects of cognition, with a specific focus on syntax and event cognition.
- The NCCR is a Swiss National Center of Competence in Research with the goal of creating a new discipline, Evolutionary Language Science, that targets the origins and future of language.
- The center consists of scientists from traditionally separated academic domains, which allows us to harvest the diverse expertise from the humanities, social sciences, computational sciences, natural sciences and medicine towards a broadscale collaboration.
Additional details
- Excellent oral and written communication in English is required.
- Find out more: https://www.uzh.ch/de/explore/work.html.
- Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH Learning and Development
- Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
- Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
- Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ Free seasonal flu vaccinations
- Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
- Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions Conditions of Employment Policies of the UZH
- Most UZH staff are employed according to public law International Services
- Support for people from outside Switzerland
Notes and original content
- Your profile
- What we offer
- Work-Life Balance
- Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
- Learning and Development
- Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
- Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
- Healthcare
- Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
- Free seasonal flu vaccinations
Questions about this listing
What salary does Universität Zürich offer for this role?
Universität Zürich lists CHF 91'500 - 128'000 gross per year for this position in Zürich. This is the salary published in the original listing (or, when the employer omits a figure, a realistic estimate for the role and sector) — the calculator on this site converts it to your actual net take-home once cross-border tax and social contributions are applied.
Is this a full-time role, and what type of contract does Universität Zürich offer?
This listing is a full-time position. The contract type shown here comes directly from the employer's original posting; always confirm exact hours, notice period and probation length with Universität Zürich during the application process, since these details can vary by role even within the same contract category.
Do I need a cross-border work permit for a role in Zürich?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton Zürich can apply for a G permit; the Swiss employer files it with that canton's migration office after the contract is signed. Border-zone rules and processing times vary by neighbouring country and canton, so confirm the specifics with Zürich's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at Universität Zürich?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to Universität Zürich's original listing at jobs.uzh.ch, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
