2 Student Assistant Positions - Database Management & Software Engineering

The Chair of Systems Design at ETH Zurich is looking for two student research assistants to working on our project "130 years of Swiss Parliament". The positions are temporary, starting in January 2024 and concluding at the end of June 2024.

We are looking for a student research assistants to work on our data project “DemocraSci – a research platform for data-driven democracy studies in Switzerland”. The projects uses almost 130 years of Swiss parliamentary data to create a comprehensive and searchable database on Swiss politics. Get an overview over the projects here.

Data Management Position: 

You will assist the projects with database-related tasks, such as:

• Database scraping, including data cleaning and pre-processing
• Database compilation (gathering information from multiple sources into one coherent database)
• Database integration
• Writing scripts for automated collection of data on members of parliament (committee engagements, interest group ties, etc.)

Software Engieering Position: 

You will assist our colleagues at the Swiss Data Science Center in programming pdf2data, a new tool that allows easy extraction of text data from (scanned) PDF documents. Tasks include: 

• Feature development: implenenting new features for pdf2data (e.g., adding text-ordering routines, implementing automatic OCR, programming table extractions)
• Debugging: implementing testing routines for the software
• Documentation: documenting the new features

You need to be student at ETH Zurich or the University of Zurich (computer science, data science or related field). You need excellent database management skills/ software development skills (please detail your experience in the motivation letter), good coding skills in Phyton as well as LaTex skills.

Command of German/French is also a plus (since 99% of the data is in German and French), but not a must.

You should be available for the duration of 6 months (January-July).

Application deadline: January 31.
The start date for the position is as soon as possible. We will consider applications immediately until the position is filled.

ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting working environment, cultural diversity and attractive offers and benefits.

We look forward to receiving your online application including

• CV
• a short motivation letter

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

Further information about the Chair of Systems Design can be found on our website. For further information, please contact Dr. Laurence Brandenberger, email lbrandenberger@ethz.ch (no applications).