PhD Assistant at the German Unit of the Translation Department of the FTI

PhD Assistant at the German Unit of the Translation Department of the FTI

Job description

The Faculty of Translation and Interpreting at the University of Geneva is opening applications for a PhD assistant position within the German Unit of its Translation Department. The selected candidate will conduct research and teaching activities under the supervision of the responsible professor. This is a fixed-term position (five years). Following an initial period of 2 years, the mandate is renewable for two successive periods, respectively of 2 years and 1 year. Remuneration is set according to the University of Geneva's salary scale.

Terms of reference:

Alongside writing a doctoral thesis (the project must first be approved by the College of Professors), your terms of reference will include the following activities, defined according to your level of training and profile:

• contributing to organisational tasks and to the teaching and research activities of the responsible professor;
• participating in the supervision of seminar work and master’s theses;
• leading practical work or seminars under the supervision of experienced teachers;
• participating in the editorial committee activities of the translation studies journal Parallèles.

Required qualifications and skills

You hold or will soon hold a degree in translation studies or a related field. You are interested in the research areas of the German Unit of the FTI (translation studies and, in particular, audiovisual translation). You are ready to conduct autonomous and demanding research activities, combining theory and practice.

An excellent command of the German language (level C2) is required.

A good knowledge of French or a commitment to quickly remedy this gap is desirable.

Start date

1 February 2027 or date to be agreed.

Contact

You will submit your application online, no later than 1st December 2026, by clicking on the "Apply now" button. This application, written in German, will bring together in a single PDF file the following documents: cover letter (1 to 2 pages), detailed CV including contact details of three referees, Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas, and, if possible, extracts of transcripts.

For any questions regarding the content of the application, please contact directly alexander.kuenzli@unige.ch .

Additional information

We offer you

The University of Geneva is the only university institution in Switzerland to have a faculty of translation and interpreting. You will be integrated into a motivated and dynamic team and will have excellent resources for research. We offer you a stimulating working environment, which will allow you to establish excellent contacts nationally and internationally, whether for practical experience or research, as well as numerous opportunities for continuing education. Moreover, you will benefit from the quality of life in the city of Geneva, the richness of its cultural life, and the proximity of the countryside and mountains.

Job description

80% Assistant position with PhD opportunity at the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting of the University of Geneva

At the German Department of the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting of the University of Geneva, a scientific qualification position is to be filled under the direction of Prof. Alexander Künzli. The professorship is dedicated to translation studies. Various projects in the field of audiovisual translation are also connected. The position starts on 01.02.2027 or by agreement. The position is limited to five years, with an initial appointment for two years and an extension for two further periods of two years and one year respectively. The appointment is made according to the salary guidelines of the University of Geneva.

Tasks

In addition to preparing a dissertation (after acceptance of the dissertation project by the College of Professors), depending on your level of training and profile, the following activities are part of your responsibilities: supporting the department management in organisational tasks as well as in teaching and research; participating in the supervision of seminar and master’s theses; conducting tutorials or seminars under the guidance of experienced lecturers; collaborating in the editorial team of the translation studies journal Parallèles.

Profile

You have completed or will soon complete a Master’s degree in translation studies or a related discipline. You are interested in the scientific focuses of the professorship (translation studies, especially audiovisual translation), international orientation, and independent, demanding scientific work with a foundation and practical relevance. Excellent knowledge of the German language (level C2) is essential. Good knowledge of French is desirable; applicants without corresponding knowledge should be willing to acquire it quickly.

Application information

Please compile the following documents in a single PDF file in German and submit it via the application button by no later than 1 December 2026: motivation letter (1-2 pages), tabular CV including contact details of three referees, BA and MA diplomas, and, if applicable, extracts of transcripts. For content-related questions, please contact directly alexander.kuenzli@unige.ch .

Start of employment

1 February 2027 or by agreement.

We offer

The University of Geneva is the only university in Switzerland to have a faculty of translation and interpreting. We offer you a unique academic environment with lively exchange in a highly motivated team, a well-equipped working environment, excellent national and international research and practical contacts, as well as numerous opportunities for further training. In addition, you benefit from the high quality of life in Geneva with a wide cultural offer and easy access to countryside and mountains.

The University of Geneva offers motivating employment conditions in a stimulating working environment. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to showcase your skills and personality and actively contribute to the reputation of an institution founded in 1559.

From a parity perspective, the University encourages applications from the underrepresented sex.