Postdoctoral researcher (Practices of E-Bikes)

Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

Presentation

The Institute of Geography and Sustainability (IGD) is seeking to recruit a postdoctoral researcher  for the Academic  Observatory for Cycling and Active Mobilities (OUVEMA).

OUVEMA was created in 2020. It is an interdisciplinary research platform on cycling and active mobilities. Its areas of research are: 1) practices and behavior; 2) policies; 3) planning and the built environment; 4) health. While its research is promoted internationally, OUVEMA also maintains close links with actors in the field by organizing lecture series and conducting action research. Its Scientific Advisory Board comprises 18 research professors from 5 UNIL faculties.

The IGD has around 130 members working in the fields of geography and sustainability, combining humanities and natural sciences. The IGD offers an international, interdisciplinary environment that is stimulating and conducive to high-level research.

Job information

Expected start date in position : 01.06.2025 or to be agreed

Contract length : 1 year, renewable 1 year (maximum 2 years)

Activity rate : 80%

Workplace : University of Lausanne, Geography and Sustainability Institute, Lausanne site, Switzerland

Your responsibilities

You will be involved in OUVEMA's activities and its development. In particular, you will be involved in the E-Bike Shift research project ("Is the electrically assisted bicycle a game changer in mobility? A study of the extent and variety of its uses and its modal shift effects").

Your main tasks will be: 

• Analyzing a questionnaire survey carried out by a polling institute among 1,000 users of electrically assisted bicycles (e-bikes)


• Analyzing an online survey (travel diary) completed by 1,500 e-bike users


• Conducting biographical interviews with e-bike users


• Publishing the results in international journals


• Communicating the results to stakeholders

Your qualifications

• Doctorate in geography, sociology or another social science


• Experience in academic research in the field of mobility


• Skills in questionnaire surveys (design and statistical analysis)


• Experience in conducting and analyzing interviews


• Ability to take initiatives and work independently and as part of a team


• Interest in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches


• Proficiency in French. Knowledge of German and English desirable

What the position offers you

The IGD offers a stimulating environment and a culture conducive to the development of a research career.

Contact for further information

Contact: Prof. Patrick Rérat, E-Mail schreiben

Personal website: https://applicationspub.unil.ch/interpub/noauth/php/Un/UnPers.php?PerNum=63246&LanCode=37&menu=coord

OUVEMA www.unil.ch/ouvema

E-Bike Shift project : https://www.unil.ch/ouvema/fr/home/menuinst/recherche/e-bikeshift.html

Your application

Deadline : 10.03.2025

If you are interested, please send us the following documents –  in PDF format – via the University of Lausanne's online system:

• Letter of motivation


• A full curriculum vitae


• A copy of a publication (doctoral dissertation or paper)


• A copy of university degrees

Only applications submitted via the online system will be considered.

We thank you for your understanding.

As there are two open positions at OUVEMA, you may apply for both.

Additional information

UNIL is committed to:
•    equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
•    ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
•    offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;
•    supporting early career researchers.

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