Professorship in the foundations of education and educational theory Universität Zürich

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

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The University of Zurich invites applications for a

professorship in the foundations of education and educational theory

starting on 1 August 2028. The professorship is based at the Institute of Education of the University of Zurich. The successful candidate must have an excellent, internationally visible research profile in the foundations of education and/or educational theory, as well as teaching experience. We are seeking a broadly qualified individual in the field of educational sciences. Candidates are expected to be familiar with the development of educational theory, the philosophy of education, and the ethics of education. In teaching, they will also be expected to contribute to the core curriculum in educational science at Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD level. In addition to providing innovative research impulses for the field, the successful candidate is to collaborate in research and teaching with other professorships at the Institute of Education, within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and with institutions in Switzerland and abroad. Required qualifications include a clearly discernible, internationally visible research programme, the systematic integration of educational theory and empirical research, a track record of competitive third-party funding acquisition as principal applicant (SNSF, DFG, ERC or comparable schemes) commensurate with career stage, documented interdisciplinary collaboration, a demonstrated commitment to knowledge transfer and public outreach, excellent research and publication achievements, international visibility and networking, teaching competence (including a commitment to developing teaching), leadership and management skills, and experience in supervising PhD candidates. Desirable qualifications include the ability to effectively combine different theoretical and methodological approaches, leadership and management experience appropriate to the career stage, and active networking with philosophy, the social and political sciences, psychology, or research on digitalisation and AI. Candidates must hold a doctorate in the relevant field at the time of application, and a habilitation or equivalent achievements. Teaching is conducted in German and English; the administrative language of the University of Zurich is German. Candidates who do not speak German are expected to acquire a working knowledge of German within the first three years of their appointment. The Institute of Education, the University of Zurich, and Zurich as an academic location offer a stimulating environment for research and teaching with many opportunities for academic exchange and collaboration. The University of Zurich is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity in research and teaching. Therefore, applications from candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged.

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For further information
please contact Prof. Dr. Christian Ydesen (christian.ydesen@ife.uzh.ch).

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The closing date for applications is 30 September 2026. Access to the online application system and further information can be found at www.phil.uzh.ch/jobs.html.