Postdoctoral researcher position in international relations, international political economy

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.

Presentation

The Institute of Political Studies is recruiting a Postdoctoral SNF researcher to join the research team of the project ‘Grounding uncertainty: standards and agency in digital labour platforms’, directed by Prof. J.C. Graz and funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF). This 4-year project aims at studying how online web-based digital labour platforms organise and control a disaggregated and remote workforce, and how does such a workforce cope with current power asymmetries in platform-mediated work. It relies on a qualitative extended case method including a graduation on the labour supply chain in the three following countries: Bangladesh, Serbia, and Germany. (see: ).

Job information

Expected start date in position : 01.02.2026. or shortly thereafter

Contract length : 1 year, renewable 2 x, maximum 4 years

Activity rate : 60%

Workplace : University of Lausanne (Géopolis) Switzerland (part time homeworking is possible)

Salary :

Your responsibilities

• Coordination and management of the project in relation with Prof. J.C. Graz, the research team and its partners, including tasks such as the establishment of working procedures, communication, relations with partners, management and training of researchers involved in data collection and analysis.
• Research work from data collection to analysis for the case study on Bangladesh.
• Substantial contribution to the research output and its communication (analysis, academic writing and publication).
• Participation in international conferences.
• Teamwork in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and international research environment.

Your qualifications

• Doctorate degree in political science, international relations, or related field completed by the position start date; preference will be given to applicants who completed their PhD in the previous 4 years (2022-2025).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (for non-French-speaking candidates, working knowledge of French).
• Academic expertise and experience in research fields relevant to the project, in particular in international political economy, labour & technical standards, digital labour platforms, and artificial intelligence; experience in designing and executing fieldwork research in South Asia would be an asset.
• Strong command and experience in qualitative methods and data analysis; skills or at least an interest in programming would be an asset.
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary research and demonstrable ability to work in collaborative academic environments
• Excellent relational skills, collaborative attitude, as well as being able to take initiatives and work autonomously, and engage with administrative activities and deadlines to facilitate effective collaboration.

What the position offers you

We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. Opportunities for professional training, a lot of activities and other benefits to discover.

Contact for further information

Please contact Prof. Jean-Christophe Graz

Your application

Application deadline : 27 november 2025

Interested candidates are kindly requested to submit via email :

1) a letter of application;

2) a detailed CV and list of publications, with the names of two references;

3) copies of academic diplomas and transcript of all university grades;

4) files of two published scientific works.

We thank you for your understanding.

Additional information

UNIL is committed to:
• equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
• ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
• offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;
• supporting early career researchers.