The University of Zurich's Department of Economics is offering a pre-doctoral fellowship focused on economic development and rural finance, with a particular emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa. This 1-2 year, full-time, in-person position is designed for recent graduates interested in gaining research experience before pursuing a PhD in economics or related fields. The fellowship is supervised by Professor Lorenzo Casaburi, a leading development economist specializing in land markets, rural finance, and field experiments in Africa. The research areas include economic development, rural finance, agricultural economics, land markets in developing regions, and causal inference in development economics. Fellows will participate in all stages of research projects, including brainstorming, literature reviews, project management, data analysis, programming, manuscript preparation, and field experiment design. The position offers a unique opportunity to work with administrative databases and gain on-the-job learning in academic research. Applicants should have completed a Master's or Bachelor's degree in the last five years, with strong grades in economics or a quantitative social science and a solid mathematics background. Technical skills in Stata, R, or Python are required, along with strong quantitative analysis and programming abilities. Candidates should be highly motivated, curious, and committed to research and learning, with fluency in English. 1-3 confidential recommendation letters from professors or research supervisors are required. Preferred qualifications include knowledge of causal inference, previous research experience, excellent academic performance, high GRE Quantitative score, completion of MITx MicroMasters courses, and strong project management skills. The fellowship is ideal for those seeking academic research experience, preparing for PhD programs, or exploring research-focused careers in development economics. International applicants are welcome, and no prior Swiss work permit is required. The program includes mentorship from Professor Casaburi and participation in funded research projects, though specific funding details are not provided. To apply, candidates must submit all required documents (CV, cover letter, academic transcripts, copies of degrees, recommendation letters, and answers to application questions) via the University of Zurich's online application form. The application deadline is January 31, 2026, with review beginning January 20, 2026. For more information, visit the University of Zurich job portal or contact the department.

The University of Zurich's Department of Economics is offering a full-time, in-person pre-doctoral fellowship (1-2 years) under the supervision of Prof. Lorenzo Casaburi. The fellowship focuses on economic development and rural finance, with a particular emphasis on research in Sub-Saharan Africa. Research areas include land markets in developing regions, rural finance, agricultural economics, field experiments, administrative database analysis, and causal inference in development economics. The position is ideal for recent graduates interested in pursuing a PhD or gaining academic research experience in development economics. Fellows will support all stages of research projects, including brainstorming, literature reviews, project management, data analysis, programming, writing, and manuscript preparation. The role involves 70% active research participation and 30% on-the-job learning and training, with mentorship from a leading development economist. Applicants must have completed a Master's or Bachelor's degree in the last 5 years, with strong grades in economics or a quantitative social science, and a solid mathematics background. Technical skills in Stata, R, or Python are required, along with quantitative analysis abilities and programming proficiency. High motivation, curiosity, perseverance, commitment to research, and analytical thinking are essential. English fluency is mandatory. 1-3 confidential recommendation letters from professors or research supervisors are required. Preferred qualifications include knowledge of causal inference, previous research experience, excellent academic performance, high GRE Quantitative score, completion of MITx MicroMasters courses, and strong project management skills. No prior Swiss work permit is required, and international applicants are welcome. The fellowship offers participation in funded research projects, but specific stipend or salary details are not provided. The application deadline is January 31, 2026, with review beginning January 20, 2026. To apply, candidates must submit all required documents (CV, cover letter, academic transcripts, copies of degrees, recommendation letters, and answers to application questions) via the University of Zurich's online application form in a single submission. For more information, visit the University of Zurich job portal or contact the department. This opportunity provides a strong foundation for those interested in development economics, field experiments, and academic research careers.

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.