Operational Manager / Operational Manageress

Professorship for Social Brain Sciences of D-GESS

We are seeking an Operational Manager to build and coordinate the center's community at ETH Zurich. This role involves close collaboration with the CLUE Operational Manager counterpart at EPFL, establishing strategic partnerships, and managing communication channels to advance CLUE's mission of bridging research insights with real-world educational contexts.

The position is initially limited to one year (with the potential for extension to a minimum of five years) starting from July 1, 2025, or upon mutual agreement.

The Center for Research on Learning, Understanding, and Education (CLUE) is a new interdisciplinary initiative being developed jointly between ETH Zurich and EPFL. Dedicated to advancing research and practice in learning and education across the lifespan, CLUE investigates the multidimensional nature of learning across cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, physical, and technological dimensions. This initiative addresses the evolving challenges and opportunities in education created by digitization, artificial intelligence, globalization, and shifting societal values, fostering cross-pollination between research and practice to develop insights and solutions informed by rigorous empirical investigation.

Key Responsibilities

• Building and nurturing the CLUE community.
• Creating the core community of CLUE members across affiliated labs at both ETH Zurich and EPFL, in collaboration with Jessica Dehler Zufferey, the EPFL Operational Manager for CLUE.
• Developing formats for regular communication, collaboration, and networking among research groups.
• Establishing mechanisms to gather input, needs, and feedback from community members.
• Managing the ETH Zurich side of the Joint Doctoral Program on Learning Sciences (JDPLS), ensuring its seamless integration into the CLUE ecosystem.
• Building the "third circle" of CLUE participants (pedagogical universities, other universities, education administration).
• Establishing strategic partnerships and external relations.
• Liaising with related service units at ETH Zurich and EPFL to strengthen connections between research and educational practice.
• Developing partnerships with schools and educational institutions.
• Identifying and pursuing funding opportunities and mandates.
• Conducting analysis of similar initiatives to develop strategies for differentiation and positioning.
• Managing communication and events.
• Preparing and maintaining the CLUE website and communication channels.
• Coordinating communication representatives from both institutions.
• Organizing CLUE events, workshops, and networking opportunities.
• Creating local organizational structures at ETH Zurich.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree, ideally in education, psychology, social sciences, or a related field relevant to learning and education.
• Several years of experience in project or program management, preferably in a research or educational environment.
• Strong community-building and networking skills, with the ability to connect diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in identifying funding opportunities and developing strategic partnerships.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effectively engaging with researchers, educators, and administrative stakeholders.
• Proactive and independent worker with the ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Genuine interest in educational innovation and the mission of bridging research and practice.
• Fluency in English and German, both written and spoken; knowledge of French is an advantage.

Your Impactful Role

Join ETH Zurich, where you will not only advance your professional development but also contribute to positive change in society. This position offers the opportunity to help shape an innovative research center from its inception within a dynamic and interdisciplinary work environment. We promote flexible work arrangements and a collaborative team culture, actively committing to a sustainable and climate-neutral university. Expect numerous benefits, including public transport season tickets, car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by ASVZ, childcare, and attractive pension benefits.

Workplace

Your position will initially be situated within the Professorship for Social Brain Sciences, led by Prof. Dr. Emily S. Cross within the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (D-GESS) at ETH Zurich. As the organizational structure of CLUE develops, your position will eventually be situated within CLUE, which will operate independently but in collaboration with academic departments across ETH Zurich.

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

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Emily S. Cross, Co-Director of CLUE at ETH Zurich, at Show e-mail.