Collaboration for School Visits in the Research Project on Adolescents and Social Media (m/f/d)

About the job

Collaboration for School Visits in the Research Project on Adolescents and Social Media (m/f/d)

The Public Policy Group at ETH Zurich is investigating together with the Public Discourse Foundation how a multi-week change in social media usage affects the well-being of adolescents. The project runs nationwide in Switzerland with around 180 secondary school classes (lower secondary level) and tests various strategies under scientific supervision:

• Participatory social media rules
• The class jointly develops a strategy for reduced social media use and implements it for four weeks
• Shared social media break
• The pupils deactivate their social media apps for four weeks

We are looking for committed moderators from October 2026 to conduct standardised lessons in school classes. The lesson is the starting point for the four-week experiment, after which the class implements the strategy independently.

Timeline

• Training: in September 2026 (training and preparation before the first deployment)
• Main phase with high workload: October and November 2026, when most school visits take place and good availability is essential
• Follow-up phase with reduced workload: December 2026 to March 2027, with occasional further deployments

Good availability in October and November is particularly important for this role.

Job Description

• Conducting and moderating the 45-minute lessons directly in the school classes, following a standardised study protocol
• Preparing the class for the multi-week change in their social media use, both during and outside school hours
• Preparing and bringing the necessary materials as well as setting up and dismantling on site
• Documenting the deployments according to specifications
• Exchanging with the project coordination about the process, observations, and any challenges

Profile

• You have a connection to education, psychology, or society, either through (ongoing) studies, training, or experience, and enjoy working with adolescents
• You speak fluent German and communicate confidently and age-appropriately with adolescents
• You present yourself confidently and calmly in front of a school class
• You work reliably, carefully, and adhere to a given study protocol
• You are flexible with your time and willing to take assignments at schools in the German-speaking part of Switzerland (during school hours)
• Initial experience working with school classes or in moderation is an advantage but not a requirement

We Offer

• Meaningful collaboration in a unique nationwide research project at the interface of science, education, and society
• Thorough introduction to the study protocol before the first deployment as well as continuous professional support
• Employment on an hourly wage basis according to the applicable ETH rates for student assistants
• Flexible scheduling in coordination with your studies
• Insight into the practical implementation of a large-scale, randomised field study, with the opportunity to get involved further in the project if interested
• Work in a motivated, interdisciplinary team from research and practice

Working, Teaching and Researching at ETH Zurich

Diversity and Sustainability are Important to Us

In line with our values , ETH Zurich supports an inclusive culture. We promote equal opportunities, value diversity, and foster a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all employees and students are respected. On our Equal Opportunities and Diversity webpage , you can learn how we ensure a fair and open environment where everyone can develop and thrive. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

We look forward to receiving your application with a brief letter of motivation and CV at socialmedia-studie@ethz.ch .

Please include the following information in your application:

• Which weekdays you are available for assignments
• Approximately how much you can work (availability in percentage, with minimum and maximum workload)

Further information about the Public Policy Group and the Public Discourse Foundation can be found on our websites.

More information about the project is available on the project website . For enquiries, please contact socialmedia-studie@ethz.ch.

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities for technology and the natural sciences. We are known for our excellent teaching, pioneering fundamental research, and the direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find an environment here that fosters independent thinking and a climate that inspires top performance. Located in the heart of Europe and connected worldwide, we develop solutions together for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.