Université de Lausanne
Lausanne
Junior SNSF Researcher (50%) in Social Sciences or Digital Humanities
- 27 October 2026
- 50%
- Lausanne
Job summary
Join UNIL, a leading international research institution with 5,000 staff.
Tasks
- Engage in ethnographic studies of AI systems in daily use.
- Analyze existing audiovisual data related to AI interactions.
- Collaborate on interdisciplinary research with experts.
Skills
- BA or MA in related fields; experience with digital tech.
- Strong analytical skills in social studies of technology.
- Fluency in French and English; German is a plus.
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About the job
Introduction
A leading international teaching and research institution, UNIL has nearly 5,000 staff members and 17,000 students, distributed between the Dorigny campus and the CHUV and Epalinges sites. As an employer, it promotes excellence, recognition of individuals, and responsibility.
Presentation
As part of an international research project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) entitled: "Performing Artificial Intelligence: Governance, Agency, Action – An Interdisciplinary Inquiry", the Institute of Social Sciences (ISS) of the University of Lausanne is advertising a position for:
Junior SNSF Researcher (50%) in Social Sciences or Digital Humanities
Project Objectives/Description
The project "Performing Artificial Intelligence" (PAI) aims to understand artificial intelligence as a dynamic social and cultural object, constructed through discourse and practice in specific contexts.
Position Information
Start date: 1 January 2027
Contract duration: 1 year, renewable for 1 year, maximum 2 years
Work rate: 50%
Workplace: University of Lausanne, Géopolis
Your Activities
To deepen the analysis of the understanding, development, and critique of new AI systems, we are advertising a Junior SNSF Researcher position (50%).
We are looking for a person interested in engaging in ethnography of daily uses of AI systems and, more specifically, on two relevant data corpora of the project:
- Firstly, an existing corpus composed of audiovisual recordings of filmed interactions with such systems and robotic systems in everyday situations on the one hand, and a first survey conducted on the social uses of new AI systems on the other;
- Secondly, a new corpus of empirical data currently being compiled from audiovisual recordings and ethnographic notes from research situations involving experts in digital art, AI and/or robotics.
The successful candidate will contribute to experimentation with digital technologies in situ and to the ethnography and video analysis of this experimentation from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Your Profile
- BA or MA in computer science, engineering, sociology, linguistics, anthropology, gender studies, media studies and/or a related field;
- Experience or interest in experimentation with digital technologies in situ (via "hacks" and "prompts") and ethnography of this experimentation and, more generally, social studies of science and technology in action;
- Availability to engage in and analyse experimentation with digital technologies in situ, through detailed descriptions and video analyses, interest in philosophy of mind and artificial intelligence, openness to interdisciplinary dialogue;
- Availability for fieldwork, off-site, in Switzerland and/or abroad;
- Experience or interest in processing, analysing and presenting survey results on social uses or social practices;
- Fluency in French and English, both spoken and written. German would be an asset.
Your Benefits
A pleasant working environment in a multicultural and diverse academic setting.
Opportunities for continuing education, high-level scientific exchanges and the consolidation of an emerging academic profile.
More information at unil.ch/travailler
For Further Information
Your Application
Please include with your application:
(1) A cover letter
(2) An academic CV with the names of two referees
(3) An academic text (thesis chapter, seminar paper, scientific article, etc.)
Only applications submitted via this site will be considered.
Please submit your complete application in Word or PDF format.
Application deadline: 8 November 2026
Interviews will likely take place between 23 and 24 November 2026.
Remarks
UNIL is committed to:
• Equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
• Ensuring an open, respectful and supportive environment;
• Offering working conditions favourable to balancing different spheres of life;
• Supporting the next generation of scientists.
