Professorship in Communications Sciences with a Concentration on Change and Innovation in Communication

University of Zurich Department of Communication and Media Research

Department of Communication and Media Research

Professorship in Communications Sciences with a Concentration on Change and Innovation in Communication

Start of employment 1 August 2027, permanent employment

The University of Zurich invites applications for a professorship in communication sciences with a concentration on change and innovation in communication starting on 1 August 2027.

Candidates for this position are expected to have an outstanding academic record of excellent, internationally recognized research in the field of communication and media change and related communication-related innovations. The subject area covers the co-evolution of technical, economic, political and social change processes in the field of convergent, digitalized communication environments. This includes change processes in the field of AI and human-machine communication. The professorship is expected to examine the driving forces, development processes, consequences and management of communication and media change and associated innovation processes and teach the relevant courses at the department at the Bachelor's and Master's level.

In teaching, the future postholder will be required to cover their subject in all its breadth. In addition to innovative research impulses in the relevant field, collaboration in research and teaching with other professorships at the Department of Communication and Media Research, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the University of Zurich, as well as with national and international institutions, is expected.

Candidates must hold a PhD degree and a habilitation or comparable achievements, one of which must have been obtained in the field of communication science and media research or in another social science discipline. Expertise in social science theories and methods of empirical research into communication and media change and related innovations is expected.

Depending on the qualifications of the person to be appointed, the professorship will be filled as a full professorship or associate professorship. Teaching is conducted in English and German, which is why sufficient knowledge of German is expected within the first three years of employment. The administrative language of the University of Zurich is German.

The Department of Communication and Media Research, the University of Zurich and Zurich as a university location offer an excellent research and teaching environment with a wide range of opportunities for professional exchange and cooperation. In order to increase the diversity in leading academic positions, qualified women and individuals from other underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applications must be submitted online by 17 December 2025. Access and information on the online application can be found on the website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Thomas Friemel.

What we offer

Work-Life Balance

• Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
• Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH

Learning and Development

• Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
• Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich

Food

• Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
• Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution

Healthcare

• Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
• Free seasonal flu vaccinations
• Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower

Discounts

• Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
• Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
• Special conditions on hotel reservations

Conditions of Employment

• Policies of the UZH
• Most UZH staff are employed according to public law

International Services

• Support for people from outside Switzerland

Campuses

• Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
• Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg

Location

Department of Communication and Media Research

Andreasstrasse 15, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland

Further information

Questions about the job

Prof. Dr. Thomas Friemel Professor for Media Use & Effects

Working at UZH

The University of Zurich offers a wide range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and 12 professional apprenticeship streams, Switzerland's largest university provides an inspiring working environment at the vanguard of research and education. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More