Educational Support Engineer

80%-100%, Zurich, permanent

The Global Health Engineering (GHE) group is based within the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zurich. Our group does not have any mechanical engineers but is composed of environmental engineers, economists and social scientists. Our work is transdisciplinary and all research focuses on environmental and human health in resource-constrained countries. We are guided by the SDGs, with a focus on 6, 11, and 12.
The GHE group of Prof. Elizabeth Tilley is seeking an Educational Support Engineer.
We are looking to hire an individual who wants to stay in this position and help us grow as we expand over the coming years and decades. Ideally, you will be able to start on 1st May, though we will consider your personal situation. 

Job description

As part of the GHE team, you will be responsible for supporting the technical aspects of our research by assisting students (BSc, MSc, PhD) with the design, production and testing of equipment/sensors/prototypes both in Switzerland and in our countries of focus (Malawi, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda). Furthermore, you will be staying on top of innovations in low-cost engineering and integrating the opportunities and needs into student work. In addition, you will be setting up, stocking, and managing our student-focused design lab. In this position, you will be managing the day-to-day supervision of BSc and MSc students: from ideation to implementation to publication.

Your profile

This job is for you if you:

• love to tinker, design and build products and machines
• enjoy setting up and operating your own workshop:  managing resources/stock; maintaining/ordering equipment 
• are passionate about working with students and helping them realize their full potential as conscious and creative researchers
• have experience working in low-resource settings: making use of what’s available; figuring out a plan B
• are interested in applying your skills to some of the world's most difficult, but important problems: water, sanitation, air quality, soil conservation, and solid waste management
• are willing to travel approximately 10% of the time (almost always with students)
• are a clear writer and detailed-oriented editor with the ability to support students to produce and publish excellent work
• are not focused on self-authored publications or a conventional research career, but have experience in publishing and are keen to translate research into practice, and practice into policy
• have ideas about workshops/summer school/design events that we could operate with our numerous partner universities
• have a PhD in mechanical engineering or a related field

Your workplace

Your workplace

We offer

We are a small and committed team of fewer than ten people with a collegial culture. We value transparency, openness and believe it is important to share our knowledge with others in formats beyond just publications. We reflect on our work and constantly improve it. We believe that the world can be improved with open data.
Our collegial and respectful interaction creates a pleasant working atmosphere and room for new ideas. In addition to a central work location in Zurich with plenty of room and sun in your office, you have the opportunity to work occasionally from home. The employment conditions are based on the university guidelines. They include, for example, five weeks' vacation, a wide range of training and continuing education opportunities. ETH offers a competitive salary , based on education, experience and potential. 

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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:

• An updated CV in your current format
• A visual CV of products/ innovations/ designs that you have created including a brief description of how they addressed or could address the SDGs (max 3 pages)
• A proposal for a potential MSc-level project addressing some aspect of environmental health (max 1 page including references)

The application and selection process will follow these dates:

• 2023-02-03: due date for submission of application
• 2023-02-17: notification about passing the first selection round (three selected candidates)
• 2023-02-27 to 2023-03-03: a week reserved for a personal and a group interview
• 2023-03-10: final notification about selection

More information about the Interview process:

• The interview will be remote unless it is feasible for you to come to our offices in Zurich
• The personal interview will be 45 minutes long and attended by Lars Schöbitz and Elizabeth Tilley
• We will organize an informal call with our PhD students where you can ask any questions that you may have about how it is to work in our group

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 Global Health Engineering can be found on our website . Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Elizabeth Tilley, email (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.