Postdoc Researcher: Social Resilience

Postdoc Researcher: Social Resilience

In collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), SEC is undertaking a research programme on "Future Resilient Systems (FRS)". The vision of this programme is to improve the robustness and resilience of high-density urban infrastructure systems and systems such systems against ambiguous and unexpected hazards and threats.

The FRS 2 Cluster 3 (“Distributed Cognition for Social Resilience”) Module 3.1 (“Measuring, Modelling and Enhancing Social Resilience”) is looking for a postdoc researcher (2 years) to contribute to the ongoing work on analysing key determinants of social resilience. Social resilience is critical for the well-being of communities before and during times of disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, highlighted the need to understand the social fabric and how individuals and social groups respond and adapt/learn to this disruption.

This project focuses on:

• Identification of key research questions in the context of social trust and social resilience, hereby distinguishing between horizontal trust (between citizens) and vertical trust (between citizens and community or governmental leaders).
• Identification of empirical approaches to answer these key research questions and implementation of the respective empirical research.
• Data assessment and derivation of theoretical and/or practical insights on social trust and social resilience, including policy recommendations.
• Write-up of scientific papers, policy briefs and technical reports documenting the most important research findings.
• Collaboration with researchers from various FRS modules for which horizontal and vertical trust is important.

Please note that the employment will be at the Singapore-ETH Centre and local working regulations will apply.

You must have the following skills:

• A Master’s degree as well as a Doctoral degree in social sciences, preferably in behavioural economics.
• Research experience with respect to social resilience-related topics and/or social trust.
• Experience in empirical research, i.e., in surveys or experiments and the related quantitative data assessment methods.
• Ability to produce high-quality research papers as well as technical reports to funding bodies or collaborating institutions.
• Good communication skills (within the scientific community and towards a broader public).
• Skills to systemize the most important messages from scientific literature in a clear way.
• Willingness and ability to collaborate with other researchers in an interdisciplinary social-science focused context.
• Good writing skills (in English).

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in
science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education,
cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge
into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our
university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe,
yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to
develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• Cover letter (outlining your interest, qualifications, and publications if any)
• CV maximum 4 pages
• Copies of educational certificates
• Recommendation letters from 2 referees

Submitting an incomplete application will not be considered. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered. 

For further information about the Future Resilient Systems,please visit our website . Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr Jonas Joerin via [email protected] (no application submission).