Landscape Architecture Position Available
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. This chair investigates the relationship between landscape architecture, ecology, and territorial transformation through design-led research and teaching.
Role Overview
The Digital Design Methods I (DDM-I) module is a foundational component of the Master of Science in Landscape Architecture program. It introduces incoming international students—from backgrounds in architecture and landscape architecture—to the computational tools and workflows essential for landscape design at ETH Zurich. The curriculum for this module is designed by Zhao Ma.
This fixed-term position runs from September through December each year and consists of two phases:
- Intensive Teaching Phase: September–October, with regular weekly sessions.
- Support Phase: November–December, involving as-needed engagement for student follow-up, grading, and coordination.
Responsibilities as DDM-I Instructor
- Deliver lectures and hands-on exercises in Digital Design Methods I (DDM-I) for first-semester MSc Landscape Architecture students.
- Teach Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper, focusing on data structures, manipulation, and parametric workflows for landscape design applications.
- Instruct in QGIS for geospatial analysis relevant to landscape and territorial design.
- Guide students through the Being Alive: Language and Being Alive: Terrain exercise sequences as outlined in the DDM-I syllabus.
- Assess student exercises during the teaching period.
- Coordinate with the Chair of Landscape Architecture on course delivery and pedagogical strategies.
Teaching Phases
Intensive Phase (September – October)
Classes occur from mid-September through mid-October, with sessions running on Monday afternoons (13:45–15:30) and Wednesday afternoons (15:45–17:30). Note that the first week will have classes on Tuesday and Thursday at the same times. Detailed session dates will be provided upon appointment.
Support Phase (November – December)
During November and December, involvement will be sporadic and on an as-needed basis, including activities such as final assessment reviews, individual student consultations, grading support, and coordination with the chair on course evaluation and documentation.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced proficiency in Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper, with a thorough understanding of Grasshopper data structures (trees, branches, paths) and manipulation techniques.
- A background in landscape architecture with documented experience in landscape design, encompassing specific design thinking, ecological considerations, and spatial methodologies.
- Proficiency in QGIS or similar GIS tools for geospatial analysis.
- Experience in teaching, tutoring, or workshop facilitation in higher education or professional settings.
- Excellent communication skills in English, as the program's language of instruction.
Additional Qualifications (Assets)
- An active GitHub profile showcasing a tracked commit history with software development practice and open-source contributions.
- Experience with C#, particularly related to Grasshopper plug-in development or Rhino scripting (RhinoCommon).
- Experience with agentic development, such as creating AI-assisted workflows, LLM-based toolchains, or autonomous design agents.
What We Offer
- A stimulating academic environment at one of the world’s leading science and technology universities.
- The opportunity to contribute to an innovative, design-led landscape architecture program.
- Collaboration with an internationally recognized research chair at the forefront of landscape and ecological design.
- Competitive compensation in accordance with ETH Zurich employment guidelines.
- Access to ETH Zurich’s state-of-the-art computational infrastructure and facilities.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. For further details about the ETH Master in Landscape Architecture, please visit our website. Questions regarding the position can be directed to Prof. Teresa Gali-Izard at gali-izard@arch.ethz.ch.