Education and Equal Opportunity Officer

60%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Automatic Control Laboratory (IfA) of the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-ITET) is recruiting an Education and Equal Opportunity Officer for the National Centre of Competence in Research “Dependable Ubiquitous Automation” (NCCR Automation ), funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Project background

NCCR Automation conducts research on methods and computational tools for automatic control and automation, as well as their applications to energy management, mobility and industrial processes. The Centre comprises 28 principal investigators in 7 research institutions across Switzerland; ETH Zurich serves at the Home Institution. The long-term support of the NCCR provides a unique opportunity for exploring novel concepts in innovation and technology transfer.

Job description

You will join the Management Team comprising 8 members: a Manager, a Scientific Coordinator, a Scientific Officer, a Knowledge and Technology Transfer Coordinator, a Knowledge and Technology Program Lead, a Communications Officer, a Data Manager and a Finance Officer. 

Education and Training
The Education activities of the NCCR Automation target education in control and automation at all levels: tertiary curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate levels, engagement of young children and high school students, as well as continuing education.

Tertiary curriculum development:
You will play a central role in developing the education and training activities of NCCR Automation towards tertiary curriculum development. Your main duties will be:

• Develop and implement the education and training activities of NCCR Automation
• Develop a PhD training program in the field of automation to train a generation of young researchers to match the demand for researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs in this area
• Link B. Sc and M. Sc teaching to existing programs of the participating institutions
• Establish national coverage of the education and training activities provided by NCCR Automation, for example by making courses of one institution available to students of others
• Make material publicly available to enhance the international visibility and support engagement with novel educational methods
• Advise NCCR researchers on questions related to career planning and advancement and organize workshops and training sessions on these issues

Education of young children, high school students and continuing education:

• You will play a central role in developing the education and training activities of NCCR Automation towards primary/secondary education as well as continuing education. Your main duties will be:
• Develop hands-on material to expose students at high-school and even primary-school age to automation topics, such as demonstration set-ups (drones / miniature race cars…), training videos or experimental kits that can be donated to schools
• Develop a continuing education curriculum that will be offered by instructors from academia and industry, as automation knowledge quickly becomes obsolete due to rapid technology development in hardware, software and algorithmic solutions
• Establish links with existing activities in these areas at the participating institutions

Equal Opportunity

You will play a central role in developing the equal opportunity activities of NCCR Automation towards an inclusive working environment for the future and current generations. 

• Develop and implement the equal opportunity activities of NCCR Automation
• Sensibilise the younger generation about automation topics
• Foster a diverse and inclusive environment within NCCR Automation
• Support the establishment of a Centre for a Sustainable Inclusion in Automation

Your profile

• Experience and interest in the development and implementation of academic education
• Sound knowledge of the higher education landscape in Switzerland
• Ability to integrate in a team with diverse backgrounds
• Good communication skills
• Ability to cooperate
• Sensibility to diversity and equal opportunities
• Initiative
• Natural assertiveness
• Very good English language skills, both written and spoken
• Good German language skills is a plus
• Experienced handling of MS-Office
• An engineering degree in a discipline related to automatic control is essential, a Doctorate in this area a plus.

Your workplace

Your workplace

We offer

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

chevron_right Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich
We value diversity

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.

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• CV
• Motivation letter
• Contact details of referees
• Degree(s)

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
Further information about NCCR Automation can be found on our website .
Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Elise Cahard, [email protected] (no applications).

For recruitment services the GTC of ETH Zurich apply.

About ETH Zürich

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.