Vacancy: 2 PhD positions within the Horizons project SOCIAL (Sociology of Authoritarian Law: Insights from Central Asia)
We are seeking motivated candidates for two full-time PhD positions within the SOCIAL Doctoral Network, funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions under Horizon Europe in the tracks Rural Governance in Central Asia (DC 16) and Governance in Mongolia (DC 17).
The SOCIAL Consortium consists of 14 leading universities across Europe & Canada training 17 doctoral candidates (DC) in the sociology of authoritarian law, with a regional focus on Central Asia. Its three core goals are:
- Empirical & theoretical innovation on law–society–governance dynamics under authoritarian regimes.
- Sustainable interdisciplinary doctoral training across disciplines and regions.
- Policy outreach, converting research into actionable intelligence via workshops, publications, and policy briefs.
DC 16 will explore local governance practices and democratization from a bottom-up perspective in Qazaqstan. They will use ethnographic fieldwork to investigate how villagers engage with and resist formal political structures.
DC17 will investigate local democratic practices in Mongolia, focusing on evolving governance models in rural areas. It will study civic participation, traditional authority, and institutional adaptation.
Doctoral candidates will benefit from joint supervision, inter-sectoral secondments, strong transferable skills development, and a bridge between academic research and policy practice. Fieldwork and secondments constitute integral components of the SOCIAL Doctoral Programme.
Your responsibilities
If selected for the position, you will join the research team focused on Central Asia at the Department of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies, chair Peter Finke, who will also serve as your principal supervisor. You will be given sufficient time, guidance, and resources to develop your individual research, aligned with the overall SOCIAL project's aims. Note that you will also be required to fulfil the mandatory study requirements for doctoral students at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Zurich.
All PhD candidates admitted to the programme are required to conduct extensive fieldwork in Central Asia and undertake two secondments abroad, one academic and one non-academic of between two and six months duration. You will participate in training events, workshops, and conferences organized by the SOCIAL Doctoral Network, and collaborate with international supervisors and peers. In addition, you are expected to contribute to departmental activities. You should have strong motivation and ability to work independently under pressure as well as good collaboration and communication skills.
For further information on eligibility criteria and on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks in general, please refer to: Doctoral Networks - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
What we offer
A dynamic, innovative and challenging research and teaching environment, an excellent opportunity for further qualifications, and a motivated and team-minded faculty interested in academic exchange.
Competitive salary plus financial support for fieldwork periods, publications and academic conferences.
PhD students at ISEK have also the opportunity to join the „Swiss Graduate Program in Anthropology“.
Your profile
Applicants should hold an MA in anthropology or a related discipline. Doctoral candidates cannot have been awarded a doctoral degree and/or completed more than four years of full-time equivalent research experience. You should bring along a strong academic record, as well as experience in ethnographic fieldwork, preferably including the use of mixed methods. High proficiency in English, both written and spoken, is expected. Knowledge of Russian, Mongolian and/or Qazaq language will be essential to conduct fieldwork successfully.
Place of work
University of Zurich, ISEK – Social Anthropology
Andreasstr. 15
8050 Zurich
Information on your application
Deadline for application: 31. January 2026
Start of employment: 1. August 2026
Duration: 36 months of full-time employment
We are looking forward to your application. Please enclose the following documents:
- over letter in English (max 1,000 words), including a brief presentation of yourself and your qualifications, as well as a short description of why you are interested in the doctoral programme
- Curriculum Vitae
- M.A. thesis as a writing example (plus any other material you would like to share)
- Copies of your degrees
- Address of two persons who can be contacted for a letter of recommendation.
- A research plan of up to 3000 words excluding references. The research plan must contain an overall purpose, questions that the project intends to answer, an account of the theoretical framework and the methodological approach.
- A statement certifying that the applicant has not resided or carried out their main activity (i.e. work or studies) in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a signed Mobility Declaration covering the last 36 months, together with supporting documents (e.g., residence registration/tax certificate, employment or study attestations).
Applicants will be assessed based on the above criteria, and top-ranked candidates will be invited for an interview.
Zürich University actively promotes equal opportunities in order to offer a diverse workplace and a university characterised by an open and inclusive approach
Contact
For questions regarding the position: Prof. Dr. Peter Finke, chair holder (0041 (0)44 635 22 33, peter.finke@uzh.ch)
For questions regarding the application process: Miriam Wohlgemuth, administrative assistant (0041 (0)44 635 22 12, miriam.wohlgemuth@uzh.ch)
Please send your documents to: miriam.wohlgemuth@uzh.ch