Professorship in Clinical Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychology and Psychotherapy

University of Zurich Department of Psychology

Department of Psychology

Professorship in Clinical Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychology and Psychotherapy 100 %

Start of employment 1 February 2028

The University of Zurich invites applications for a professorship in clinical child, adolescent, and family psychology and psychotherapy starting on 1 February 2028.

Applicants must demonstrate high scientific and clinical expertise in clinical child, adolescent, and family psychology, evidenced by their research profile as well as specialized psychotherapeutic expertise and experience. The candidate must have conducted excellent, internationally visible research in the field of clinical child, adolescent, and/or family psychology, as evidenced, for example, by outstanding publications as well as successful acquisition of competitive third-party funding.

In terms of teaching, successful candidates must be able to represent the field of child, adolescent, and family psychology within clinical psychology across its full breadth, including foundations, theories, methods, and interventions at the BSc and MSc levels. Furthermore, the successful candidate will be expected to continue leading the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) «Cognitive behavioral therapy with a focus on children, adolescents, and young adults» (postgraduate program; offered in cooperation with the University of Fribourg). In addition, they will lead the psychotherapeutic outpatient unit for children and adolescents at the UZH Center for Psychotherapy which serves as the psychotherapeutic teaching and research outpatient clinic of the Department of Psychology. The continuation of the Master of Advanced Studies in School Psychology is also possible.

Beyond providing innovative research contributions to the field, the successful candidate is expected to collaborate in research and teaching with other professorships within the Department of Psychology, across the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and with other faculties at UZH, particularly the Faculty of Medicine (Pediatrics, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry). Compatibility with the research priorities of the Department of Psychology is expected.

Applicants must have completed a doctorate and habilitation (or equivalent achievements) in the relevant field at the time of application, as well as possess additional excellent scientific publications and third-party funding, along with demonstrated open science practices. Depending on the qualifications of the appointed candidate, the professorship will be filled as either a full or associate professorship. A psychotherapeutic qualification for working with children and adolescents in a recognized therapeutic approach, documented by licensure and/or a specialist title, or an equivalent degree, is a prerequisite for the position. For leading the psychotherapy outpatient unit at the research and teaching clinic of the Department of Psychology (UZH Center for Psychotherapy), very good German language skills are mandatory at the time of appointment.

The Department of Psychology, the University of Zurich, and Zurich as a university location offer a stimulating setting for research and teaching, with numerous opportunities for professional exchange and collaboration. The University of Zurich is committed to increasing the proportion of women in research and teaching and therefore explicitly encourages qualified female scholars to apply.

The closing date for applications is 25 March 2026. Further details on the application process can be found at the website of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. For additional information about the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Birgit Watzke.

What we offer

Work-Life Balance
  • Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
  • Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
Learning and Development
  • Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
  • Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
Food
  • Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
  • Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
Healthcare
  • Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
  • Free seasonal flu vaccinations
  • Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
Discounts
  • Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
  • Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
  • Special conditions on hotel reservations
Conditions of Employment
  • Policies of the UZH
  • Most UZH staff are employed according to public law
International Services
  • Support for people from outside Switzerland
Campuses
  • Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
  • Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg

Location

Department of Psychology

Binzmühlestrasse 15, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
 

Further information

Questions about the job

Prof. Dr. Birgit Watzke Professor in Clinical Psychology

Working at UZH

The University of Zurich offers a wide range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and 12 professional apprenticeship streams, Switzerland's largest university provides an inspiring working environment at the vanguard of research and education. Find out more about UZH as an employer!