NCCR CLIM+ Executive Director / NCCR CLIM+ Executive Directoress

Position Available: Executive Director for NCCR CLIM+

The NCCR CLIM+ is a newly established National Centre of Competence in Research dedicated to addressing Climate Extremes and Resilience within Swiss Society. The Executive Director at ETH Zurich will collaborate closely with the other Executive Director at the University of Bern, under the guidance of the NCCR CLIM+ team of directors, including:

• Prof. Sonia I. Seneviratne (ETH Zurich)
• Prof. Karin Ingold (Uni Bern)
• Prof. David N. Bresch (ETH Zurich)
• Prof. Olivia Romppainen-Martius (Uni Bern)

This initiative aims to create Switzerland's first fully interdisciplinary climate research community that addresses critical issues including heatwaves, floods, heavy rainfall, droughts, wildfires, and compound events. The center will also engage with various stakeholders including public health sectors, financial institutions, agriculture, and water management.

By bringing together expertise from 20 leading Swiss research institutions across diverse natural and social science disciplines, NCCR CLIM+ aims to merge fundamental and transformational knowledge. The Center for Climate Extremes and Resilience in Swiss Society (CERESS), led by ETH Zurich and the University of Bern, will engage with numerous universities and climate centers throughout Switzerland.

CERESS will foster nationwide research, co-design living labs, and generate actionable solutions, establishing a transdisciplinary nexus among science, society, practice, and politics.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the NCCR CLIM+ Management Center at ETH Zurich.
• Coordinate logistics and scientific efforts of the NCCR in collaboration with the University of Bern.
• Focus on research and activities in natural sciences and interdisciplinary topics.
• Develop and coordinate the open science strategy and data infrastructures within NCCR CLIM+.
• Oversee knowledge and technology transfer (KTT) based on bespoke storylines.
• Establish the Center for Climate Extremes and Resilience in Swiss Society (CERESS) alongside the University of Bern's Executive Director.

Qualifications

• A PhD in climate sciences, natural sciences, statistics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in coordination and management within interdisciplinary research environments.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience in transdisciplinary research settings, living labs, or stakeholder interactions.
• A collaborative personality exhibiting outstanding motivation for community building in the realm of climate extremes and society.
• Fluency in English and at least one national language; knowledge of a third national language and familiarity with the Swiss academic landscape are advantageous.

What We Offer

• A dynamic work environment with excellent working conditions.
• A diverse, multicultural, and international workplace.
• Flexible working conditions and a wide range of continuing education opportunities.

To apply for this exciting opportunity, please apply online using the form below.

Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered. For more information about NCCR CLIM+, kindly visit our website. Questions regarding the position can be directed to Prof. Sonia I. Seneviratne at sonia.seneviratne@ethz.ch or Rahel Buri at rahel.buri@env.ethz.ch.

The expected starting date is June 1st, 2026, or as agreed. The work location will be at ETH Zurich. Interviews for selected candidates are anticipated to occur between late March and mid-April (March 31st, April 13, or April 16).

ETH Zurich is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse university community. We value the diversity of our teams and particularly encourage women to apply.

Please note that pre-selection will be conducted by our recruiters, not by artificial intelligence. For recruitment services, the General Terms and Conditions of ETH Zurich will apply.