Research Associate (with PhD opportunity) in Animal Law 60 – 100 %

About the job

Research Associate (with PhD opportunity) in Animal Law 60 – 100 %

Are you interested in animal law and want to work scientifically and pursue a doctorate in this field? Apply now with us at the Center for Animal Rights and the Environment (CARE)!

Department: School of Management and Law

Start date: July 1, 2026 or by arrangement. Application deadline: May 29, 2026.

• You will work on research projects of the Center for Animal Rights and the Environment (CARE).
• You will support CARE in scientific, didactic, and administrative tasks.
• You will participate in other ongoing projects and tasks at CARE if interested and qualified and contribute your own research ideas.
• You have the opportunity to write a dissertation in animal law.

For this position, we expect an excellent law degree (MLaw; at least 90 ECTS); alternatively, you are in the last semester of your master's studies.

You additionally bring:

• A strong interest in animal law and the associated interdisciplinary fields.
• A proven interest in researching in the field of animal law and possibly writing a dissertation in this area.
• Enjoyment of scientific work as well as initiative and teamwork skills.
• Fluent language skills in German and/or English (or willingness to acquire them promptly).

Applications from persons already enrolled in a doctoral program are also welcome.

Your complete application documents include: CV; motivation letter; proposal for a dissertation project (or exposé for ongoing doctorate) (max. 2 pages); 2 reference letters; proof of university achievements (diplomas and transcripts Bachelor and Master)

The ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, with over 14,000 students and over 11,000 continuing education participants as well as around 3,700 employees, is one of the largest multi-disciplinary universities of applied sciences in Switzerland.

ZHAW is committed to gender-mixed and diverse teams to promote equality, diversity, and innovation. We also advocate for a barrier-free university. We encourage people with disabilities to apply.

The Center for Animal Rights and the Environment (CARE) at ZHAW is a center for research and teaching dedicated to animal law studies. We deal with the protection and status of animals in law and society as well as the diverse connections between animal, human, and environmental law and sustainability. Animal law examines how animals are legally treated, what rights they should have, and how the law could develop in the future. Of particular interest are the increasing ecological challenges of our time – climate crisis, species extinction, zoonoses. These highlight the interdependencies between humans, animals, and the environment and call for new, holistic approaches such as One Health or One Rights.

The Center for Animal Rights and the Environment (CARE) is an organizational unit of the Institute for Regulation and Competition (IRW).

We offer university-appropriate working and employment conditions and actively promote the personnel development of our employees and managers. A detailed description of the benefits can be found on the "Working at ZHAW" website. Here are the main points:

Prof. Dr. Saskia Stucki

Head of Center for Animal Rights & the Environment (CARE)

(Contact person during application period: nicole.luethi@zhaw.ch)

Dagmar Debrunner-Stachl

Recruiting Manager