About ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is renowned for its exceptional education, pioneering fundamental research, and the direct implementation of its results in practice.
The ETH AI Center is one of the largest AI centers in Europe, comprising over 120 professors from all 16 departments of ETH Zurich and more than 1500 PhD students & post-docs. Our mission is to foster interdisciplinary AI research and pave the way from science to society. With the recently launched Swiss National AI Institute (SNAI) and its flagship project on large-scale AI foundation models, we aim to expand our leadership team.
Leadership Role
You will oversee the core operations of the ETH AI Center, working closely with the Executive Director and Chairman to co-develop and execute the strategic vision with affiliated faculty and staff. You will ensure that the center's resources are aligned with ETH Zurich and the center's strategic goals, and that its activities are effectively coordinated across research, education, and innovation programs.
* Lead and inspire a talented team of 20+ individuals to achieve innovation and growth.
* Manage the center's financial and operational resources with high efficiency.
* Collaborate with the Executive Director and support the Chairman in defining and executing the strategic vision and objectives for the ETH AI Center.
* Secure funding through grants, sponsorships, and partnerships, and be the primary contact for the ETH Foundation.
* Foster innovation by driving collaboration and leveraging synergies between the ETH AI Center and the Swiss National AI Institute, engaging with the researcher/industrial/start-up ecosystem.
* Oversee the allocation of budgets, personnel, and shared resources across ETH AI Center teams, ensuring efficient coordination between Research & Center Operations, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Outreach & Communications, and special projects.
* Coordinate the deployment of shared personnel (e.g., Tech Leads, Research Engineers, Project Managers) to support multiple projects, balancing priorities and resolving conflicts.
* Represent the ETH AI Center in national and international forums to promote its mission and impact.
Requirements
To be successful in this position, you will require the following skills:
* A PhD or equivalent advanced degree in computer science, engineering, science, or mathematics, or related fields.
* Proven leadership experience in academia, AI research institutions, industry, large multidisciplinary organizations with operational management responsibilities and strategic leadership skills.
* Proven ability to execute on long-term goals while managing day-to-day operations effectively.
* Proven ability for interdisciplinary collaboration and projects at the intersection of academia, entrepreneurship, and industry.
* A proactive personality that inspires others with your ideas and your vision.
* A willingness to make decisions and represent your views confidently, carefully, but also solution-oriented.
* An integrative approach involving a variety of stakeholders at the center and beyond.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and German.
* Exceptional communication and negotiation skills (in English and German) with a focus on creating pragmatic solutions.
* A passion for fostering a positive team culture and work environment that encourages collaboration and empowers staff, students, and researchers alike.
We Offer
* Your career with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society.
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.
Curious?
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:
* Letter of motivation
* Diplomas
* References
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal.