Survey Methodologist - Swiss Time Use Survey (3-year position)

Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility. The University of Lausanne is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Qualified women and candidates with a migration history are encouraged to apply.

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Presentation

The Institute of Social Sciences at UNIL invite applications for a position as

Survey Methodologist – Swiss Time Use Survey (3-year position)

Help shape one of Switzerland’s most ambitious new social surveys.

We are looking for an experienced Survey Methodologist to play a central role in STRATUS (The Social Stratification of Time: Investigating Inequalities in Time Use through a Swiss Diary Study), an SNSF-funded collaborative research project investigating inequalities in how people spend their time. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to the design and delivery of a new nationally representative Swiss Time Use Survey, integrated within the long-running Swiss Household Panel.

Working closely with Dr Caroline Roberts (University of Lausanne) and Dr Marieke Voorpostel (FORS), you will help coordinate every stage of this landmark survey—from questionnaire development and fieldwork implementation through to data preparation and documentation. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to methodological research arising from the project and to help create a high-quality data resource that will support research on social inequalities for years to come.

Although based at the University of Lausanne, you will work closely with colleagues at FORS (the Swiss Centre of Expertise in the Social Sciences) and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of survey specialists and substantive researchers across Switzerland.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys turning methodological expertise into high-quality survey practice and would like to play a leading role in delivering a major national data collection while working in a stimulating academic environment.

Job information

Starting date:              01.02.2027 

Duration of contract: 1 year, renewable for 2 years (3 years in total)

Employment rate:      100%

Workplace:                 University of Lausanne, Géopolis

Working languages:  English (mainly) and French

Salary :                       Competitive, based on the UNIL/Vaud Canton’s salary scale for technical and administrative personnel and the candidate’s level of experience.

What we offer

This is an exceptional opportunity to develop your expertise while contributing to a survey that will become a major national research resource.

You will:

• Play a key role in the development and implementation of a new nationally representative Swiss Time Use Survey.


• Work closely with internationally recognised experts in survey methodology and time use research.


• Join the LIVES Centre and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lausanne, one of Europe’s leading centres for life course and inequality research.


• Collaborate directly with colleagues at FORS, the Swiss Centre of Expertise in the Social Sciences, and the Swiss Household Panel.


• Be part of a dynamic, international and multidisciplinary research community, with regular workshops, seminars and collaborative activities.


• Have opportunities for specialised training and professional development.


• Receive support to attend and present your work at leading international conferences in survey methodology, official statistics and time use research.


• Gain the unique experience of helping to deliver a major national survey from design through fieldwork to the release of a high-quality research dataset.

Your qualifications

We are looking for someone with:
    •    A Master's degree in Survey Methodology or another relevant discipline, with substantial training in quantitative methods. A PhD in a relevant field is desirable.
    •    At least five years’ practical experience coordinating or conducting large-scale, high-quality surveys in a commercial, public-sector, or academic setting.
    •    Excellent knowledge of survey methodology and practical experience in questionnaire design, planning and monitoring survey fieldwork, survey documentation, and survey data management.
    •    Excellent skills in the management and statistical analysis of (complex) survey data using R, Stata, or SPSS. Experience analysing time use diary data would be an advantage.
    •    A strong interest in time use research and/or digital data collection methods. Experience working on a time use survey would be an advantage.
    •    Excellent organisational and project coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders, including researchers and external survey contractors.
    •    A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
    •    Excellent spoken and written English, which will be the main working language of the position. Fluency in French is an advantage, as is the ability to speak or understand German or Italian.

Contacts for further information

Dr. Caroline Roberts, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, Institute of Social Sciences, UNIL, E-Mail schreiben

Dr. Marieke Voorpostel, Director of the Swiss Household Panel Survey, FORS : E-Mail schreiben

Your application

Your application should be prepared in English and include:

• a motivation letter, detailing your qualifications, relevant experience, and interest in the position;


• your CV, including the names and contact details of two academic referees;


• copies of your certificates and grade transcripts from your Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees (and PhD, if relevant);

Only applications through this website can be taken into account.

Application deadline : September 30th 2026

Interviews will take place on the 26th October, 2026

Job description

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Additional information

The University of Lausanne is an Equal Opportunities Employer and encourages applications from women:  www.unil.ch/egalite .

It also supports Early Career Researchers :  www.unil.ch/graduatecampus .