Graduate Assistant in Private Law

Introduction

A leading international teaching and research institution, UNIL has nearly 5,000 staff members and 17,000 students, distributed between the Dorigny campus and the CHUV and Epalinges sites. As an employer, it promotes excellence, recognition of individuals, and responsibility.

www.unil.ch/carrieres

Presentation

To complete its team, the Private Law Center is looking for a Graduate Assistant at 80% for Professor Anne-Christine Fornage.

Job-related information

Start date: March 1, 2026, or as agreed. The appointment may initially be as a student assistant, with a master's degree completed by summer 2026.

Contract duration: 1 year, renewable 2 x 2 years, maximum 5 years

Work rate: 80%

Workplace: Lausanne Dorigny

Your activities

The work rate for this position is 80%.

Half of this rate (40%) is dedicated to the assistantship itself (supporting the Professor in her teaching and research activities: supervising students, helping prepare courses, collaborating on research projects and scientific publications, assisting in organizing scientific events, grading the Professor's exams). 

The remaining 40% is legally reserved for personal research (doctoral thesis). 

Your profile

We wish to hire, to complete our team, a person with the following profile:

• Very good Bachelor and Master degrees in Swiss law (or equivalents)
• Writing skills in French, very good knowledge of German and English
• Strong interest in Swiss and comparative private law, particularly contract law, consumer law, European private law, digital law
• Willingness to write a doctoral thesis in one of the aforementioned fields
• Enthusiasm, scientific curiosity, initiative, team spirit, stress resistance, ability to work precisely and independently, very good organizational and time management skills
• Strong IT skills and interest in new technologies

Your benefits

A pleasant working environment in a multicultural and diverse academic setting.
Opportunities for continuing education, a multitude of activities, and other benefits to discover.

More information at www.unil.ch/carrieres

For further information

Further information (including the job description) can be obtained by email from Prof. Anne-Christine Fornage: 

anne-christine.fornage@unil.ch

Your application file

Application deadline: 01/06/2026

Applications must be sent with a cover letter, curriculum vitae, exam results, a copy of the master's thesis or another research work, and a brief description of research interests for the thesis on a maximum of one page.

Only applications submitted through this site will be considered.
Thank you for your understanding.

Remarks

UNIL is committed to:
•    Equality, diversity, and inclusion within its community;
•    Ensuring an open, respectful environment conducive to personal development;
•    Offering working conditions favorable to balancing different life spheres;
•    Supporting scientific succession.

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