100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Professorship for Research on Learning and Instruction at ETH Zurich strives to discover effective, evidence-based ways to improve educational practice with an eye towards generalizable principles across content areas and issues of societal relevance. The group is looking for a PhD candidate to contribute to ongoing research on educational approaches to misinformation.

Project background

Misinformation has severe negative effects on personal decision-making and societal integrity. In today’s information environment, misinformation is rampant. Over the past years, the research group has investigated effects of trainings that help people recognize misleading data visualizations, thereby reducing their negative impact on information extraction (for example, see Rho et al., 2025 ). More recently, the group has investigated how pedagogical interventions may protect people from misinformation (for example, see Rau & Premo, 2025 ). The group now aims to broaden these efforts by investigating how pedagogical interventions that seek to (1) strengthen content knowledge and (2) misinformation detection skills interact. The goal is to enhance people’s resilience towards misinformation while maintaining their ability to incorporate new trustworthy information into their knowledge schemas.

Job description

• The goal of the PhD position is to conduct controlled experiments that investigate the impact of pedagogical interventions on misinformation resilience
• The dissertation should comprise a series of experiments that combine quantitative and qualitative methods
• The PhD candidate will receive guidance in carrying out their research and in publishing their findings in journals and in presenting them at conferences
• The start date is flexible

Profile

• You should hold a master’s degree in psychology (preferably with an emphasis Cognitive or Educational Psychology), Learning Sciences, Cognitive Science, or a related field
• You should have a strong understanding of experimental design and quantitative statistical analysis
• Prior research experience is preferred
• You should be highly motivated to conduct independent research on educational approaches to misinformation
• You must be a highly committed, inherently curious individual who is excited to work with an interdisciplinary team and demonstrates a strong motivation to learn
• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is required; additionally, fluency in written and spoken German is preferred

Workplace

We offer

• Excellent research infrastructure and supportive work conditions
• Support for developing your own research agenda and network
• Collaboration in a highly motivated and welcoming research team
• High level of autonomy
• Inspiring academic environment

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values , ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us - we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future .

Curious? So are we.

You can find more information about the Professorship of Research on Learning and Instruction and the research lab here . You can also contact Professor Dr. Martina Rau ( martina.rau@ gess.ethz.ch ) with questions about the position.

Please submit the following application documents using the ETH online portal in a single merged PDF document, titled with your last name and first name (for example SmithJohn_application) in the following order:

• Letter of motivation describing your qualifications and interest for the position
• Detailed CV
• Transcripts of all degrees (English or German)
• Names and contact information of three references

We look forward to receiving your online application by March 31, 2026. We will review applications immediately as they are submitted until the position is filled.

Please apply exclusively via the online application portal. Applications sent by e-mail or post will not be considered.

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

Apply online now

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.