The University of Zurich Department of Economics is offering pre-doctoral research fellowships for aspiring PhD candidates, specifically targeting applicants from low- and middle-income countries or those with a refugee/asylum seeker background. The Pre-Doctoral Program – Global Talent Common Application is designed to provide recent graduates with hands-on research experience, mentorship, and preparation for future doctoral studies in economics or related quantitative social sciences. Pre-doctoral fellows will work closely with professors in the department, supporting research activities such as brainstorming, literature reviews, project management, data analysis, and academic writing. The position is a full-time, in-person commitment, with 70% of time dedicated to research and 30% to on-the-job learning. Fellows will join a vibrant community and receive mentoring from faculty members, including Professors Sandro Ambühl, Lorenzo Casaburi, Ana Costa-Ramon, David Dorn, Thomas Graeber, David Hémous, Mathias Hoffmann, Ronak Jain, Dina Pomeranz, Hans-Joachim Voth, David Yanagizawa-Drott, and Ulf Zölitz. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree within the last five years, with strong grades in economics or another quantitative social science field. Required skills include strong math abilities, proficiency in STATA, R, or Python, and fluency in English. Candidates must submit 1-3 recommendation letters from academic referees. Additional qualifications such as knowledge of causal inference, prior research experience, high GRE Quant scores, or completion of MITx MicroMasters courses are considered a plus. Eligibility is restricted to those who grew up in low- or lower-middle income countries (per World Bank classification), first-generation university students from upper-middle income countries, or individuals with a refugee/asylum/forced migration background. No prior Swiss work permit is required. The application process is rolling, with the next deadline on January 31, 2026, and recommendation letters due by February 7, 2026. To apply, candidates should prepare all required documents (CV, transcripts, referee details) and submit them via the Global Talent Common Application form. For further inquiries, applicants can contact [email protected]. This opportunity is ideal for those seeking to gain research experience and prepare for a PhD in economics, statistics, or mathematics at a leading European institution.

The University of Zurich (UZH) is inviting applications for its Pre-Doctoral Program: Global Talent, a unique opportunity for high-potential students aiming to pursue a PhD in economics or related quantitative social sciences. This program is designed to identify and nurture international talent, providing a structured pathway into one of Europe’s leading research environments. Participants benefit from specialized mentorship, advanced research training, and access to state-of-the-art resources, ensuring they are well-prepared for doctoral studies. The pre-doctoral fellowship is a full-time, in-person commitment (70% research, 30% on-the-job learning) lasting one to two years. Fellows work closely with professors in the Department of Economics, engaging in all stages of research including brainstorming, literature reviews, project management, data analysis, and academic writing. The program fosters a vibrant, multidisciplinary community and offers extensive professional development within the Swiss higher education landscape. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree within the last five years in economics or a quantitative social science, with strong grades and math skills. Proficiency in STATA, R, or Python is required, and fluency in English is essential. The program is open to candidates who grew up in low- or lower-middle income countries, are first-generation university students from upper-middle income countries, or have a refugee/asylum/forced migration background. Recommendation letters (1-3) are required. Additional experience in causal inference, research, or high GRE Quant scores is advantageous but not mandatory. Fellows receive hands-on mentoring from leading professors such as Sandro Ambühl, Lorenzo Casaburi, Ana Costa-Ramon, David Dorn, Thomas Graeber, David Hémous, Mathias Hoffmann, Ronak Jain, Dina Pomeranz, Hans-Joachim Voth, David Yanagizawa-Drott, and Ulf Zölitz. The University of Zurich offers a supportive environment with flexible working models, subsidized food, childcare, healthcare, and various employee discounts. No prior Swiss work permit is required. The application deadline for the next evaluation batch is May 15, 2026, with recommendation letters due by May 25, 2026. Interested candidates should prepare all documents in advance and apply via the official UZH job portal. For more information, visit the program page or contact [email protected].

The University of Zurich is offering pre-doctoral research fellowships in the Department of Economics, designed for aspiring PhD candidates from low- and middle-income countries or those with refugee/asylum seeker backgrounds. These positions provide substantive opportunities for on-the-job learning about academic research in economics, including brainstorming, literature reviews, project management, data analysis, and writing. Fellows work closely with professors and become part of a vibrant research community, receiving hands-on mentoring throughout their tenure. Applicants should hold a master's or bachelor's degree (completed within the last 5 years) in economics or a related quantitative social science field, with strong grades and math skills. Proficiency in STATA, R, or Python is required, and familiarity with other statistical or programming languages is advantageous. Fluency in English is mandatory, and candidates must submit 1–3 recommendation letters from academic referees. Preferred qualifications include knowledge of causal inference methods, prior research experience, high GRE Quant scores, and the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. Eligibility is limited to candidates who have grown up in low- or middle-income countries (as defined by the World Bank), first-generation university students, or those with refugee/asylum/forced migration backgrounds. The predoctoral position is full-time, with a 70% research and 30% on-the-job learning commitment. Previous fellows have worked with a distinguished group of professors at UZH, including Sandro Ambühl, Lorenzo Casaburi, Ana Costa-Ramon, David Dorn, Thomas Graeber, David Hémous, Mathias Hoffmann, Ronak Jain, Dina Pomeranz, Hans-Joachim Voth, David Yanagizawa-Drott, and Ulf Zölitz. While no explicit funding details are provided, the fellowship offers professional development, mentoring, and integration into a leading research environment. Interested candidates should apply via the Global Talent Common Application, ensuring all required documents and eligibility proofs are included.

The Department of Economics at the University of Zurich is offering 1-2 year full-time, in-person pre-doctoral fellowships through the Global Talent Common Application. This program is designed to support research fellows from low- and middle-income countries and those with refugee backgrounds, providing a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in academic economics research. The position involves 70% research work and 30% on-the-job learning, including brainstorming research ideas, literature reviews, project management, data analysis, and publication support. Fellows will join a vibrant pre-doc community and receive mentorship from leading economists such as Professors Sandro Ambühl, Lorenzo Casaburi, Ana Costa-Ramon, David Dorn, Thomas Graeber, David Hémous, Mathias Hoffmann, Ronak Jain, Dina Pomeranz, Hans-Joachim Voth, David Yanagizawa-Drott, and Ulf Zölitz. Eligibility requires applicants to have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in economics or a quantitative social science completed within the last 5 years, strong grades in relevant courses, and proficiency in STATA, R, or Python. Candidates must meet at least one of the following: low/middle-income country background (World Bank classification), first-generation university student from an upper-middle income country, or refugee/forced migration background. English fluency is required, and 1-3 recommendation letters from academics familiar with the applicant's research must be submitted. Desirable qualifications include knowledge of causal inference, previous research experience, high academic achievement, high GRE Quant score, MITx MicroMasters courses, and strong project management skills. The University of Zurich provides support for visa and relocation, and cost of living assistance may be available. The program offers professional development, mentorship, and career guidance, preparing fellows for PhD programs and future academic careers. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until January 31, 2026, with recommendation letters due by February 7, 2026. The earliest start date is March 1, 2026, and the latest is February 1, 2027. Interested candidates should apply via the official application portal and are encouraged to apply to both the common pool and individual professor postings for maximum consideration. For more information and to apply, visit the University of Zurich Department of Economics faculty hiring portal. This opportunity is ideal for those seeking to advance their research skills in economics, data analysis, and quantitative methods, while benefiting from mentorship and a supportive academic environment in Switzerland.