Professor for the Analysis of Public Discourses and Content Strategy 80–100 %

About the job

Professor for the Analysis of Public Discourses and Content Strategy 80–100 %

Understanding public discourses to shape communication, you combine research, teaching and practical transfer to bring analysis and strategy together.

Department: Applied Linguistics

Start date: From 1.1.2027 or by arrangement

• Responsibility for the professorship "Organisational Communication and Public Sphere" as well as its transdisciplinary further development
• Financial management of the professorship (budget and cost centre responsibility)
• Leadership and promotion of the directly subordinate scientific staff (2 to 4 employees)
• Initiation, conception, acquisition, implementation and evaluation of research and service projects in the field of analysis of digital public discourses in politics, business, science, civil society and others, as well as in content strategy/marketing
• Evidence-based connection of analysis, strategy and content creation
• Preparation and dissemination of research results for research and practice communities through publications, conference contributions, industry events, among others
• Design and delivery of courses as well as supervision of qualification theses at Bachelor, Master and continuing education levels

You hold a university degree with a doctorate in language, social or economic sciences, ideally in the fields of applied interaction, data or discourse analysis and strategic communication, e.g. content and campaign strategies.

In addition, you have relevant practical experience (at least five years) in the fields of content marketing, public affairs, campaigning, market/opinion analysis, communication consulting or related professional fields.

You have successfully acquired third-party funding, led research and consulting projects and published in scientific journals.

You have teaching experience, ideally in adult education in the higher education context and/or can demonstrate further training in higher education didactics.

Furthermore, you think and act entrepreneurially and innovatively, always with a view to practice-relevant research fields. You work customer- and results-oriented. As a highly team-oriented person with a high degree of independence and commitment, you maintain an inclusive, value-oriented leadership style.

We look forward to receiving your complete application documents, including three meaningful publications (preferably as sole author and from the last five years) via the online platform by 30 June 2026.

The appointment as professor will be made by the University of Applied Sciences Council upon appropriate qualification.

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.

The IAM Institute for Applied Media Studies, with around 60 employees, has been professionalising communication in the professional fields of journalism, communication and marketing for 25 years. With offerings and services in teaching, continuing education, research and consulting, the institute fulfils the fourfold mandate of universities of applied sciences.

ZHAW is committed to gender-mixed and diverse teams to promote equality, diversity and innovation.

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 website "Working at ZHAW". Here are the main points:

Prof. Dr Guido Keel

Head of Institute, IAM Institute for Applied Media Studies

Franziska Trebus

HR Branding & Recruiting Manager