Resilience & Crisis Management Researcher

As a researcher in the Resilience and Crisis Management Team, you focus on the issue areas outlined and related topics. Depending on your expertise and interests, you will build specialised knowledge and insights and help Swiss authorities address specific challenges. This also includes proactive engagement with different stakeholders, providing on-demand comprehensive policy advice, and presenting your expertise and knowledge clearly and concisely.

You will publish your findings in policy-relevant publications and disseminate your knowledge through dialogue with policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.

The Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich is a center of competence for Swiss and international security policy. It offers security policy expertise in research, teaching, and consultancy.

The Think Tank of the CSS serves as a link between researchers and practitioners in the field of security policy and as a point of contact and reference for the wider public.

The Resilience and Crisis Management Team as part of the CSS Think Tank conducts research and provides policy consulting on a range of fields relating to risks and strategies to prevent, prepare, or respond to disasters and emergencies. The focus is on (a) risks (e.g., changes in the risk landscape, methods for risk assessments, natural hazards); (b) civil protection and crisis management including CBRN (e.g., processes and structures, adaptations, use of new technologies and approaches); (c) societal and socio-technical resilience (e.g., individual disaster preparedness, issues related to critical infrastructure).

• At a minimum, you should have a MA/MSc degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Political Science, Risk Analysis, Resilience, Crisis and Disaster Management, Security Studies, Public Policy or Environmental Sciences).

• Recent MA graduates are encouraged to apply.

• We are particularly looking for researchers who have experience and/or interest in one or more of the following research topics: (a) natural hazards and disaster risk reduction; (b) socio-technical resilience; (c) anticipation and risk analysis methods as well as risk communication.

• An independent, well-organised working style, along with excellent communication skills and the ability to work in an international team are essential.

• The CSS is a multilingual working environment, so proficiency in English is required.

• Knowledge of one Swiss national language – or the willingness to acquire German language skills on the job – is an asset.

• Work experience in relevant international organisations, think tanks, or government agencies is an advantage, as is knowledge of the Swiss political landscape.