Research Assistant in Corporate Responsibility 20 - 40 %

About the job

Research Assistant in Corporate Responsibility 20 - 40 %

Join our growing research center at ZHAW and apply your knowledge and methodological skills to an innovative SNSF research project in political corporate responsibility

School: School of Management and Law

Starting date: May 1, 2025 (negotiable)

We are seeking a Research Assistant for a new international research project “Pro-democracy corporate sociopolitical activism," funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). The project aims to improve our understanding of the consequences of companies' engagement against the rise of anti-democratic populism in Europe.

Key responsibilities

• collaborate with senior researchers using quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including systematic literature reviews, discourse analysis, and vignette experiments
• contribute to publication projects targeting top-tier academic journals
• present research at workshops and international academic conferences
• support the Zurich Center for Sustainability Leadership in teaching, executive education, and consulting activities

Main benefits

• become part of one of the leading research institutions in the field of corporate responsibility and sustainability management in Europe
• engage with top researchers across ZHAW's School of Management and Law and other academic disciplines
• potential opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. in corporate responsibility through co-supervision arrangements with project partners
• competitive salary, flexible working hours
• great working environment, modern offices in the center of Winterthur close to the main station
• Master's degree (or close to completion) in business administration, political science or related humanities/social sciences fields
• strong interest in corporate responsibility, business ethics, or political communication
• preferably: experience with quantitative research methods/experimental design and background in corporate responsibility
• excellent English communication skills; German, French and/or Italian proficiency advantageous
• demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively with high commitment and motivation

Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW is one of Switzerland's largest multidisciplinary universities of applied sciences, with over 14'000 students and 3'400 faculty and staff.

The ZHAW School of Management and Law (SML) is one of the largest business schools in Switzerland with around 9,500 students. It is the only university of applied sciences in the country that is included in renowned rankings published by the business newspaper “Financial Times" and is accredited by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA – labels for high quality standards in teaching, research and further education. The internationally recognized bachelor's and master's degree programs, cooperative PhD programs and the numerous continuing education offerings are scientifically sound, interdisciplinary and practice oriented. The SML maintains numerous collaborations with over 190 selected partner universities worldwide.

You will join the Corporate Responsibility Lab within the Zurich Center for Sustainability Leadership. The Center deals with questions relating to corporate responsibility and sustainability management from environmental, social, and strategic perspectives. Our purpose is to advance and disseminate knowledge that helps students, leaders, companies, and other stakeholders to become more ethical, responsible, and sustainable. We develop practically relevant strategies and tools, assist companies in their conception and implementation, and provide specialist training. In dealing with interdisciplinary topics, we cooperate with specialists from other departments and other ZHAW schools, as well as with partner universities and business partners in Switzerland and abroad.

ZHAW is committed to gender-mixed and diverse teams in order to promote equality, diversity and innovation.

Wir bieten hochschulgerechte Arbeits- und Anstellungsbedingungen an und fördern aktiv die Personalentwicklung unserer Mitarbeitenden und Führungspersonen. Eine detaillierte Beschreibung der Vorteile ist auf der Webseite «Arbeiten an der ZHAW» zu finden. Hier die wichtigsten Eckpunkte:

Florian Roth

Lecturer and Senior Researcher

Jocelyn Schaad

Recruiting Manager