The Department of Geography at the University of Zurich is seeking a candidate to fill one fully funded
 
PhD Position on Mega-Events in Russia
 
for a period of 3 years. The position can be started from June 2014, or later.
 
The post is part of a newly established research group headed by Martin Müller. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, conducting and publishing research on the planning, organization and impacts of mega-events, with a particular focus on the World Cup 2018 in Russia. The post is embedded in a larger comparative project, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, that will also include the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
 
The gross starting salary is CHF 47’000 p.a. Funding for project-related fieldwork is available. The main place of work will be Zurich, with periods of fieldwork in Russia.
 
Profile
Applicants should have ambitions to develop an international research profile. They are expected to hold an excellent Master’s degree or equivalent in human geography or from another relevant social science discipline and be proficient in English and Russian. Knowledge of German is an asset.
 
Expertise in qualitative methods (semi-structured interviews, participant observation) or quantitative methods (inferential statistics) is a strong plus as is experience with fieldwork in Russia or in the context of mega-events. Familiarity with social theory, or the willingness to acquire it, is expected. Experience with publishing in English is an asset.
 
We offer a stimulating work environment that provides plenty of opportunities for developing an academic career. Members of our research group benefit from international contacts and opportunities to attend conferences and workshops.
 
Applications
Please send a cover letter, a full curriculum vitae with the names of two referees, copies of relevant diplomas and a writing sample (20 pages max., e.g. a chapter of your Master thesis or an article) in a single pdf file to [log in to unmask] Informal enquiries can be directed to the same address.
 
More information about the group is available at www.geo.uzh.ch/so. 
 
Closing date: 31 January 2014
 
Department of Geography
The Department of Geography at the University of Zurich is a dynamic and multi-national department with an international reputation. With 13 research groups and more than 70 PhD students, the department offers a vibrant, stimulating environment for cutting-edge research. The department hosts regular lecture series and distinguished guest researchers from around the world. Further information about the department can be found at www.geo.uzh.ch.
 
University of Zurich
With more than 25,000 students and 3,000 academic staff, the University of Zurich is the largest university in Switzerland. It is among the leading universities in Europe for academic performance and offers a welcoming place for the brightest minds around the world to engage in critical and innovative thought. For further information see www.uzh.ch.
 
Zurich – the city
Consistently ranked first among cities worldwide in multiple quality of living surveys, Zurich is a city of 400,000 and the core of the largest metropolitan area in Switzerland. It is compact enough to navigate on bicycle (or with the outstanding public transport system), but also boasts an extraordinarily cosmopolitan atmosphere. It has a vibrant contemporary art scene and opera house as well as a diverse bar and club scene. Zurich is the gateway to an unparalleled natural environment for outdoor activities in the Alps and, through the international airport, to more than 170 destinations across the globe.