Agriculture Mission Lead / Agriculture Mission Leadess

Overview of ETH Swiss GeoLab

ETH Zurich is proud to announce the establishment of the ETH Swiss GeoLab, a new interdisciplinary unit within ETH Zürich I Space. Positioned to become one of the prominent strategic centers of ETH Zurich, ETH Space encompasses five innovative units focused on groundbreaking research and practical application.

Focus and Applications

The GeoLab specializes in Earth observation and its diverse applications. By integrating satellite, airborne, ground-based, and in-situ observations, the GeoLab employs AI-driven analysis methods and high-performance computing to develop solutions addressing societal and economic challenges.

Located at the D4 Business Village in Root, near Lucerne, ETH Swiss GeoLab operates at the intersection of research, technology development, and practical application. The initial phase of the GeoLab emphasizes selected high-impact application areas where Earth observation, geodata, and AI analytics can deliver tangible value, particularly in Swiss agriculture—tackling challenges related to productivity, resilience, resource efficiency, environmental performance, and decision support for practitioners and policymakers.

Leadership Team

The ETH Swiss GeoLab is led by Prof. Dr. Verena Griess and Prof. Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, with Dr. Felix Seidel serving as Managing Director, overseeing the day-to-day operations. This initiative will expand into a project-based hub comprising around 100 experts, collaborating closely with other ETH units, the Swiss National Center for Supercomputing (CSCS), research institutions, public-sector stakeholders, agricultural organizations, industry partners, startups, and international entities.

Position: Agriculture Mission Lead

This fixed-term position is offered initially for two years, with a possibility of extension. As the Agriculture Mission Lead, you will drive the agriculture-focused initiative—the GeoLab Agriculture Mission. Your responsibilities will include:

• Defining and executing an ambitious Agriculture Mission addressing key opportunities in productivity, resilience, resource efficiency, and environmental performance.
• Engaging with farmers, agricultural advisory services, producer organizations, cooperatives, authorities, insurers, technology providers, and industry partners to identify high-impact challenges.
• Translating agricultural challenges into clear research, data, product, and technical requirements.
• Establishing measurable outcomes aligned with Swiss agricultural needs and tracking progress effectively.
• Managing the mission budget and defining priorities while conducting regular reporting to GeoLab leadership and stakeholders.
• Collaborating with GeoLab’s Geo-Intelligence team to drive field pilots and integrate solutions into agricultural workflows.
• Representing the ETH Swiss GeoLab within Swiss agricultural, scientific, policy, and innovation communities.
• Training and guiding students, researchers, and contributing to knowledge transfer into agricultural practice.

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:

• A Master’s or PhD degree in agricultural sciences, agronomy, crop science, agricultural engineering, environmental sciences, or related fields.
• Several years of experience in applied research, program delivery, or operational implementation within agricultural practice, preferably in Switzerland.
• Strong expertise in agricultural practice, production systems, agronomy, and crop management.
• Demonstrated ability to identify operational challenges and translate them into actionable initiatives.
• Proven track record of successful collaborations within diverse teams.
• Experience in mission, program, or applied R&D portfolio design.
• Excellent project management skills with a focus on budget management and tracking success.
• Strong stakeholder management skills across public authorities, academia, and industry.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and listening skills in English (German proficiency is essential; French is a plus).

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the establishment of ETH Swiss GeoLab and shape a national initiative in Earth observation.

• Play a mission-driven role with high visibility and relevance for Swiss agriculture and international impact.
• Work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and entrepreneurial environment at one of the world’s leading technical universities.
• Enjoy a workplace in Root/Lucerne, actively engaged in an innovation ecosystem connected to ETH Zurich.

Application Process

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Contact

For further information about ETH Swiss GeoLab, please visit our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Felix Seidel, Managing Director ETH Swiss GeoLab, at felix.seidel@eaps.ethz.ch.

We look forward to your application!