Eva Heinen

The Institute for Transport Planning and Systems at ETH Zürich is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the Transportation and Mobility Planning team. This externally funded position focuses on the analysis of shared mobility, including ride-sharing, e-scooters, and bicycle sharing. The research aims to understand the impacts of supply changes and urban transformations on ridership patterns, frequency, duration, and location, as well as differences between user segments such as tourists and inhabitants. The project involves analyzing existing GPS data and collecting new data through questionnaires. Responsibilities include active participation in the research project, contributing to teaching and examinations, publishing research papers in high-impact journals, engaging with the research group, and supporting the acquisition of new projects. The role offers opportunities for professional development and societal impact, with ETH Zürich providing a supportive environment that values diversity, sustainability, and equality of opportunity. Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant field or possess equivalent research experience. Essential skills include expertise in GPS track analysis, strong data-handling abilities, proficiency in R (compulsory), and preferably Python and/or GIS. Statistical and causal inference knowledge is required, along with teamwork, problem-solving, self-organization, and excellent English communication skills. Desired qualifications include familiarity with travel behaviour data, urban mobility patterns, German language skills (at least B2), experience in data collection, and stakeholder engagement or policy drafting. The position is available as soon as possible, with an initial contract duration of one year and potential extension based on funding and performance. ETH Zürich offers numerous benefits, including public transport season tickets, car sharing, sports facilities, childcare, and attractive pension plans. The university is renowned for its excellence in science and technology, fostering independent thinking and providing an inspiring environment for over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries. Applications must be submitted online through the ETH Zürich portal. Required documents include a letter of motivation, CV with publications, contact details for at least two referees, and two key outputs (publications, code, or visualisations). Shortlisting will begin at the end of March. For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Eva Heinen at eheinen@ethz.ch (no applications via email).

PhD opportunity at ETH Zurich in the Chair of Transportation and Mobility Planning, led by Professor Dr. Eva Heinen, within the Institute for Transport Planning and Systems at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (D-BAUG). This doctoral project studies passenger behavioural response to planned railway maintenance disruptions in Switzerland. The research focuses on understanding how planned interventions in rail infrastructure affect traveller decisions through increased travel times, additional transfers, reduced frequency, delays, crowding, and replacement bus services. The project aims to capture both short-term and long-term effects, including impacts on travel choice, route choice, mode substitution, destination choice, trust in the railway operator, reputation, and public support for railway investment. The successful candidate will help develop revealed preference and stated preference surveys, design longitudinal data collection, estimate passenger response models, and derive elasticities for different service-quality impacts. A further component of the research is to build a methodology for assessing long-term impacts of experienced disruptions on trust and reputation, alongside their broader implications for rail policy and investment decisions. The work is intended to support a wider research project on maintenance interventions and uncertainty in railway planning. Profile and eligibility: applicants should have an MSc in transportation, civil engineering, computer science, spatial planning, geography, geoinformation, psychology, economics, or a closely related field, and must have completed the MSc before starting. Experience in discrete choice modelling and/or survey design is important. Strong written and spoken English is required; German is an advantage because of collaboration with Swiss project partners. The post also calls for data analysis and/or programming skills, with familiarity in tools such as R, Python, GIS software, or Stata welcomed. The group is looking for a motivated, self-organised, responsible candidate with good teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, and an interest in scientific research, publications, teaching, and examinations. Practical details: the intended start date is January or early February 2027, with an initial contract of 18 months and a total doctoral duration of about 4 years, subject to an aptitude colloquium at the end of the first year. Applications are accepted only via ETH Zurich’s online application portal. How to apply: submit a short motivation letter, the names and email addresses of 2–5 referees, one or two outputs demonstrating relevant skills, a complete overview of your grades, and your potential start date. If you have not yet completed your MSc, indicate when you expect proof of completion. Questions about the position should be directed to Prof. Dr. Eva Heinen at eheinen@ethz.ch.