PhD Position: Education, Econometrics and Immigrant Integration in Zürich

The Chair of Education Systems CES investigates the shifts in educational systems in the face of challenges such as globalization, an aging society, and the rapid development of technology. We also examine the characteristics of the most effective education systems in the world and how they align to labor market demand. Our research focuses on comparing education systems and analyzing their institutional frameworks.

As a result of sharp increases in the age-dependency ratio and declining fertility rates in Europe, an influx of immigrants is expected in the following decades to sustain long-run economic growth. According to projections from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office for example, foreign immigrants are expected to account for more than 80% of Switzerland’s population increase over the next 30 years, with other EU countries like Germany and France following the same trend (Kohli et al., 2020). Yet, few countries in the EU have been successful in economically integrating migrants into the society.

The main objective of this PhD position is therefore to examine the relationship between education systems and immigrant integration. The geographic focus should naturally be on countries with large shares of immigrants such as Switzerland. Specifically,

1. how effective is the education system in integrating immigrants (economically and socially)?
2. how can education systems foster greater immigrant integration?

These questions should be answered through policy analyses using available (or requested) data and the application of econometric methods. At the end of this Ph.D. position, you are expected to have at least 3 research papers of publishable quality, with at least 1 paper that is single-authored.

The position is available from 1 November 2022 or by arrangement.

• a Master’s degree in Economics from a university in the area of economics or related fields.
• a strong affinity to quantitative data analysis; (prior experience with econometric panel data analysis in education or labor economics is a plus). 
• particularly interested in the Swiss apprenticeship system and its connection to education systems in relation to the role they play in immigrant integration (both economic and social).
• Your command of English should be excellent.

We offer you an exciting research environment that evolves around current policy topics. You will work closely with an interdisciplinary research team that consists of economists and sociologists. The position offers attractive salary conditions and an office located in downtown Zurich.

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