Resilience & Crisis Management Researcher

Expertise in Resilience and Crisis Management

The Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich is a center of competence for Swiss and international security policy, offering expertise in research, teaching, and consultancy. The CSS Think Tank serves as a link between researchers and practitioners in the field of security policy and acts as a point of contact and reference for the wider public.

Research Focus and Responsibilities

The Resilience and Crisis Management Team conducts research and provides policy consulting on risks and strategies to prevent, prepare for, or respond to disasters and emergencies. The focus areas include:

• Risks, such as changes in the risk landscape, methods for risk assessments, and natural hazards.
• Civil protection and crisis management, including CBRN, processes, structures, adaptations, and the use of new technologies and approaches.
• Societal and socio-technical resilience, covering individual disaster preparedness and issues related to critical infrastructure.

In this role, you will focus on the outlined issue areas and related topics. Depending on your expertise and interests, you will build specialised knowledge and insights to help Swiss authorities address specific challenges. This includes proactive engagement with different stakeholders, providing on-demand comprehensive policy advice, and presenting expertise clearly and concisely. You will publish findings in policy-relevant publications and disseminate knowledge through dialogue with policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.

Profile and Requirements

Candidates should hold at least a MA/MSc degree in a relevant discipline, such as Political Science, Risk Analysis, Resilience, Crisis and Disaster Management, Security Studies, Public Policy, or Environmental Sciences. Recent MA graduates are encouraged to apply. Particular interest or experience in the following research topics is sought:

• Natural hazards and disaster risk reduction.
• Socio-technical resilience.
• Anticipation and risk analysis methods as well as risk communication.

An independent, well-organised working style, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in an international team are essential. As the CSS is a multilingual working environment, 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, as well as knowledge of the Swiss political landscape, are considered advantages.

Opportunities and Conditions

This position offers the opportunity to apply and develop research skills for resilience and crisis management topics within the environment of a university-based think tank working on security and peace issues. The term for the appointment is two years, with the option of extension if funding is available and there is mutual agreement to continue the cooperation.

The workplace is located in the centre of Zurich with attractive working conditions. Career development includes further training, the ability to conduct applied research, publishing results in different formats, and providing process support related to peace mediation. These elements are central to the personnel policy.