Makerspace Internship

80%-100%, Zurich, fixed-term

At the ETH Student Project House (SPH) we inspire and empower students to cultivate a mindset of makers and innovators. We believe that by exploring their ideas and developing their projects, students gain valuable hands-on experience and learn important skills for their future. This is why we’ve created an ecosystem where students (Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral students) are encouraged to ideate, build prototypes, test, and refine them.

Our interdisciplinary team of seventeen people provides students who want to pursue extracurricular projects of various types and scales with a comprehensive range of support. On the one hand, we have co-working, ideation, and event space and offer coaching. On the other hand, we have a greatly equipped Makerspace that gives students access to the tools and equipment they need to prototype.

As our projects are building more and more prototypes, we’re now looking for an intern in the Makerspace. Read on to see if that might be you!

Project background

You’ll work in one of the most inspiring spaces at ETH Zürich, surrounded by 3D printers, whiteboards, ideation equipment, self-designed furniture, and plants. We’re currently based in a newly renovated five-story building in the ETH Centre and have a second location on the ETH Hönggerberg campus. We work in the same open space as our project teams and meet with everyone at eye level. The individuals we work with are from a diverse range of backgrounds and study disciplines, which is why we communicate in English. As the projects we support are extracurricular, most of our events and training offers take place in the late afternoon, in the evening, and occasionally on Saturdays. We offer an internship for a minimum of six months up to one year with a workload from 80% to 100%.

Job description

You’ll be part of the Makerspace team, will learn, and then be responsible for the following tasks:

• Machines.You’ll learn to operate, adapt and, fix various tools and machinery from 3D printers, 3D scanners, laser cutters to hand tools including their related softwares.
• Make.You’ll support us to make and build the infrastructure we need to adapt our space.
• Coaching. You’ll support early-stage projects with your technical expertise during their prototyping and ensure the safety of the equipment whilst doing so.
• Workshops.You’ll first co-facilitate and then facilitate workshops yourself about machine introductions and other skills (i.e. CAD/CAM, Arduino, building drones, etc.). We are more than happy if you write to us how about we can extend our offer with your expertise.
• Shop. You’ll order, sell, and advise our users about buying prototyping material from our shop.
• Makerspace. You’ll support us in keeping our Makerspace tidy and welcoming.

Your profile

We need your technical expertise to support students during prototyping and your energy and drive to motivate them. 

• You are doing, are in between, or have just finished your Bachelor or Master studies at a technical university (HF, FH, or ETH)
• You love tinkering and have an affinity to tofors and machinery or an apprenticeship in a technical field
• You have experience in realizing your own projects. You’ve failed, learned from it, and tried again
• You enjoy working with people and you’re passionate about supporting them to grow their maker mindset and proceed with their prototypes
• You feel comfortable speaking in front of a group and running workshops

Your workplace

Your workplace

We offer

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.

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’d love to get to know you! Please record a maximum two-minute video clip introducing yourself and one project you have realized. We're not looking for perfect video production skills - just use your smartphone, be yourself, and don't worry about editing the clip. We want to meet the real you!

Upload the video on a platform of your choice (Dropbox, YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, ...) and include the URL link in your cover letter.

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

• Cover letter, including the URL link to your video clip
• CV

Please note that we can only accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or by post will not be considered.

Further information about the ETH Student Project House and our machines can be found on our website , on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

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.