Two PhD Positions: Data quality in border control and law enforcement in Zürich

The research group «Technology and Governance» at ETH Zurich is looking for two PhD candidates to work within CURATE, a 5-year ERC-SERI-funded project that investigates data quality in European border control and law enforcement cooperation.
The starting date will be 1st  April 2023 or per agreement.

Our research is theory-driven, empirically grounded, and methodologically broad. The CURATE project focuses on data quality questions in European border control and law enforcement and pays particular attention to the origins of quality shortcomings in data, the effects of data quality on both the protection of human rights and the operational effectiveness of security agencies and ways to address and improve data quality.

We draw on approaches from international relations, critical security studies, science and technology studies, criminology, and critical data studies. We predominantly use qualitative and participative methods.

You will be expected to carry out project-related research activities and develop your own PhD project within the larger context of CURATE, preferably using synergy effects and research data produced throughout CURATE activities.

You:

• have a background in international relations, science and technology studies, criminology, or a related discipline
• possess excellent English language skills, high-level analytical and writing skills, and a well-organized and team-oriented working style
• are interested in or have previously worked on questions of databases and data sharing in the security domain
• have theoretical and practical knowledge of qualitative methods

ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting working environment, cultural diversity, and attractive offers and benefits.