Toolshop Manager at the ETH Student Project House

Updated: about 1 year ago
Job Type: Permanent
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

80%-100%, Zurich, fixed-term

At the ETH Student Project House (SPH) we inspire and empower students to cultivate a maker and innovator mindset. We believe that by exploring their ideas and developing their own 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, and test and refine them.

Our interdisciplinary team of 30 people provides students that want to pursue extracurricular projects of various types and scales with a comprehensive range of support. We offer physical infrastructures like co-working, ideation, and event spaces as well as a Makerspace that gives students access to the tools and equipment they need to prototype. At the same time, we support students with coaching and a diverse expert network.

With Makerspace, we provide a greatly equipped workshop for all ETH students. We have 53 3D printers, 6 laser cutters, wood, metal, textile and electronic working areas and a variety of hand tools. Every evening, our approximately 80 voluntary students give machine introductions which are open to all ETH students. At the same time, we also offer hands-on workshops where a wide variety of skills are taught. We believe that everyone can be a maker and learn how to use machines and tools.


Project background

You’ll work in one of the most inspiring spaces at ETH Zürich, surrounded by toolshops, whiteboards, ideation equipment, self-designed furniture, and plants.

We:

  • are based in two locations, both on the ETH Zentrum and on the ETH Hönggerberg campus. 
  • work in the same open space as our students 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, some of our events and training offers take place in the late afternoon, in the evening, and rarely at weekends.
  • take an agile approach to conceptualize and deliver our offer and allocate our capacity flexibly to the most important tasks. As teamwork is one of our key values, we always involve multiple people when tackling big challenges.
  • offer a limited contract for one year with the perspective of extension.

Job description

You’ll be part of the Makerspace team and responsible for the following tasks:

  • Manage.You’ll develop and manage a range of service offers for students. 
  • Coach. You’ll coach early-stage projects on how to best build a prototype in the Makerspace.
  • Facilitate.You’ll design and facilitate workshops (e.g. build your own plant sensor, solder your own jewlery, create your own wallet, design with CAD, etc.).
  • Train and organize. Together with the other Makerspace staff members you’ll train our 80+ Makerspace Managers (voluntary students) and organize their shifts.
  • Maintain.You’ll ensure that all machines are maintained and up-to-date.
  • Communicate. You’ll communicate with our students and other stakeholders to answer their requests and questions.
  • Optimize. You’ll optimize and automate processes within the Makerspace.

Your profile

We need your energy and drive to optimize our current offers and to motivate our students. 

You:

  • love tinkering and have experience in starting and implementing your own hands-on projects. You’ve failed, learned from it, and tried again.
  • bring in valuable design and machine skills, for example, 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering, CAD, welding and/or CNC milling, etc.
  • have good project management skills and can make sure that our service offers and processes are clear, streamlined, and automated to meet the needs of 2000+ yearly users.
  • enjoy working with people and you’re passionate about supporting them to grow their maker and innovator mindset.
  • don't mind flexible working times. 
  • feel comfortable speaking in front of a group and running workshops. 

Ideally, you have a Bachelor's degree from an applied university, such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or product design and experience in working with young people and/or students. 



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 max. two-minute video clip introducing yourself and your coolest hands-on project that you did. 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
  • Certificates & diplomas

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 can be found on our website , on Instagram, and on Facebook. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Marvin Breuch via email: [email protected] (no applications).


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.



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