Pre-Doctoral Fellowships in Economics for Global Talent at University of Zurich University of Zurich in Switzerland

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.