Natural Hazards Mission Lead / Natural Hazards Mission Leadess

ETH Swiss GeoLab: Natural Hazards Mission Lead

ETH Zurich is establishing the ETH Swiss GeoLab, an innovative interdisciplinary unit within ETH Zürich I Space. As one of the few strategic centers of ETH Zurich, ETH Space encompasses five distinct units dedicated to advancing knowledge and technology.

The GeoLab focuses on Earth observation and its applications, harnessing satellite, airborne, ground-based, and in-situ observations. By applying AI-driven analysis methods and high-performance computing, the GeoLab aims to develop solutions for specific societal and economic challenges.

Located at the D4 Business Village in Root, near Lucerne, ETH Swiss GeoLab bridges the gap between research, technology development, and practical application. In its initial phase, the GeoLab centers on a few high-impact application areas where Earth observation, geodata, and AI-based analytics can deliver tangible value to Switzerland. The Natural Hazards Mission initially targets mass movements, such as landslides and rockfalls, with the goal of enhancing early detection, monitoring, preparedness, and decision support for Swiss practitioners, authorities, and infrastructure stakeholders. This mission leverages stakeholder engagement, solution scoping, and community-building efforts already in motion within the GeoLab, aided by senior domain experts and partners from the Swiss natural hazards community.

The ETH Swiss GeoLab is led by Prof. Dr. Verena Griess and Prof. Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, with Dr. Felix Seidel serving as Managing Director, responsible for the day-to-day operations of this dynamic initiative. Over the coming years, the GeoLab is expected to expand into a project-based hub of approximately 100 experts, collaborating closely with other ETH units, the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS), Swiss research institutions, public-sector stakeholders, natural hazard organizations, industry partners, start-ups, and international collaborators.

Position Overview

This position is offered as a fixed-term appointment for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of extension.

As the Natural Hazards Mission Lead, you will spearhead the research and development portfolio and oversee the integration and delivery of GeoLab’s Natural Hazards Mission. While you will initially focus on landslides and rockfalls, the role will later expand to encompass other natural hazards. Your responsibilities will include defining the mission vision, translating user needs into research and product requirements, and ensuring that GeoLab activities deliver measurable value to Swiss practices and public decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Define an ambitious research and development portfolio for the Natural Hazards Mission, initially centered on landslides and rockfalls.
• Translate critical operational gaps into measurable outcomes that create value for practitioners, authorities, and decision-makers.
• Engage with local, cantonal, and federal authorities, infrastructure operators, practitioners, industry, and expert communities in coordination with GeoLab leadership.
• Translate operational challenges into research, data, product, and technical requirements.
• Establish measurable mission outcomes, roadmaps, assumptions, and success criteria aligned with Swiss natural hazard needs and the overall GeoLab strategy; actively track progress against these outcomes.
• Manage the delegated mission budget; define priorities, milestones, decision points, and success criteria, while regularly reporting progress to GeoLab leadership and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Geo-Lab’s Intelligence team to drive pilots, field validation, operational testing, and integration into user workflows.
• Assess evidence and performance, and recommend actions such as continuation, redirection, scaling, pausing, or termination of activities.
• Identify and mobilize strong ETH groups, research institutions, engineering and geology offices, remote-sensing companies, public agencies, and implementation partners.
• Represent ETH Swiss GeoLab in Swiss natural hazard, scientific, policy, and industry communities, coordinating with GeoLab leadership.
• Communicate mission goals, progress, evidence, and lessons learned to internal and external stakeholders.
• Guide and mentor students, researchers, and external contributors as needed, facilitating the transfer of resulting capabilities into operational practice.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking a motivated individual who understands the needs of practitioners and decision-makers in the field of natural hazards and their relation to Earth observations from space. You should be inspired by the opportunity to translate research and technology into practical solutions with measurable impact.

• A Master’s or PhD degree (preferred) in natural hazards, geosciences, engineering, risk management, or related fields.
• Several years of experience in natural hazard practice, applied research, public administration, consulting, engineering, or industry, preferably in Switzerland.
• Strong expertise and understanding of natural hazards, along with experience in developing dashboards and tracking tools for project insights.
• Proven ability to identify significant operational challenges and translate them into actionable initiatives.
• A record of successful collaborations in diverse teams and a passion for applying research for societal benefit.
• Experience in mission, program, or applied R&D portfolio design.
• Strong project, portfolio, and budget management skills with examples of transparent reporting and tracking tools.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills across diverse public authorities, academia, industry, and expert communities.
• The ability to work across disciplinary and organizational boundaries while leading through influence.
• Strong judgment under uncertainty and the willingness to constructively challenge established practices.
• Excellent communication, listening, and presentation skills in various modalities.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and German; proficiency in French is an asset.

Why Join Us?

This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape ETH Swiss GeoLab from its early stages and contribute to a national initiative in Earth observation. You will:

• Join a mission-driven role with significant visibility and societal relevance.
• Work on solutions for critical natural hazard challenges in Switzerland, with potential international impact through transferable methods and lessons learned.
• Benefit from a workplace in Root/Lucerne, embedded within a dynamic innovation ecosystem closely connected to ETH Zurich.

To apply online, please use the form below.

Please note: Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. We look forward to receiving your application!

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