Job Opportunity: DDM-I Instructor
The Chair of Landscape Architecture, led by Prof. Teresa Galí-Izard at the Institute of Landscape and Urban Studies (LUS), is part of the Department of Architecture at ETH Zurich. The Chair investigates the relationship between landscape architecture, ecology, and territorial transformation through design-led research and teaching.
Position Overview
This is a fixed-term position running from September through December each year. The role is structured in two phases:
- Intensive Teaching Phase (September–October): Regular weekly sessions focused on lectures and hands-on exercises.
- Support Phase (November–December): Involvement on an as-needed basis for student follow-up, grading, and coordination.
Responsibilities
As a DDM-I Instructor, you will be responsible for:
- Delivering lectures and hands-on exercises in Digital Design Methods I (DDM-I) for the first-semester MSc Landscape Architecture cohort.
- Teaching Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper, focusing on data structures, manipulation, and parametric workflows for landscape design applications.
- Instructing QGIS for geospatial analysis in landscape and territorial design.
- Guiding students through exercise sequences as defined in the DDM-I curriculum.
- Assessing student exercises throughout the teaching period.
- Coordinating with the Chair of Landscape Architecture on course delivery and pedagogical approaches.
Class Schedule
Intensive Phase (September – October): Classes run from mid-September through mid-October, with sessions on Monday afternoons (13:45–15:30) and Wednesday afternoons (15:45–17:30). The first week will be held on Tuesday and Thursday at the same times. Detailed session dates will be provided upon appointment.
Support Phase (November – December): Involvement during these months is sporadic and may include final assessments, individual consultations, grading support, and course evaluation coordination.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced proficiency in Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper, including a deep understanding of Grasshopper data structures and data manipulation techniques.
- Background in landscape architecture with experience in landscape design, ecological considerations, and spatial methodologies.
- Proficiency in QGIS or equivalent GIS tools for geospatial analysis.
- Experience in teaching, tutoring, or workshop facilitation in a higher education or professional setting.
- Excellent communication skills in English (the language of instruction).
Additional Qualifications (Assets)
- Active GitHub profile demonstrating software development practice and open-source contributions.
- Development experience with C# in the context of Grasshopper plug-in development or Rhino scripting.
- Experience with agentic development—such as building AI-assisted workflows or autonomous design agents.
What We Offer
- A stimulating academic environment at one of the world’s leading universities.
- The opportunity to contribute to an innovative, design-led landscape architecture program.
- Collaboration with a renowned research chair at the forefront of landscape and ecological design.
- Competitive compensation in line with ETH Zurich employment guidelines.
- Access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure and facilities at ETH Zurich.
Application Process
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. We look forward to receiving your online submission, which should include:
- Cover letter addressing your motivation and relevant experience
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Portfolio showcasing landscape architecture design work and digital/computational projects
- Project history with brief descriptions of relevant teaching or professional engagements
- GitHub profile link (if applicable)
For more information about the Master in Landscape Architecture at ETH Zurich, visit our website. Any questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Teresa Galí-Izard at gali-izard@arch.ethz.ch.
Please note, applications submitted via email or postal services will not be considered.