Quality of Education Officer / Quality of Education Officeress

Introduction

The Strategy & Analytics Group in the Unit for Teaching and Learning provides the evidence behind decisions about teaching at ETH Zurich. The team manages university-wide projects such as documenting teaching engagements (QdL), estimating the carrying capacity of the education system to ensure quality remains stable as it grows (Capacity Calculation), and anticipating trends that will shape higher education (Trend Radar). This work transforms internal data into actionable insights for the departments and the Rectorate.

We are seeking a Quality of Education Officer to lead the development of ETH Zurich's institution-wide framework for quality in education. In this project position, you will carry the framework from its initial concept to its integration into the university's practices.

This is a fixed-term position for a maximum of two years, with a start date to be arranged as soon as possible.

Project Background

Quality assurance for teaching and learning at ETH Zurich currently resides with 16 departments and several central units, each with its own standards, instruments, and rhythms. While much of this work is commendable, there is a need for a shared understanding of what quality means and alignment between the processes and measures used to assess it.

The Quality of Education Framework project will unify these efforts into a single framework with a common core and adaptable elements. This allows departments to compare and build upon each other's practices, ensuring that the framework aligns with ETH's support processes and management instruments, both current and in development. Ultimately, it will help ETH meet its accreditation obligations by providing a coherent picture of quality in teaching and learning.

The framework will be founded on established higher education quality literature and aligned with ETH's accreditation obligations. A pilot program focusing on selected quality-assurance processes will prepare for the initial implementation slated for 2027.

Job Description

You will be responsible for the conceptualization, implementation, and institutional integration of the Quality of Education Framework. You will steer the project and be accountable for its outcomes:

• Conceptualize and design the framework, including the shared definition of quality, quality dimensions, indicators, and associated quality assurance processes that are applicable across all 16 academic departments and central bodies, with adaptable elements for departmental specifics.
• Map the existing quality assurance standards and quality management processes across central bodies and departments, harmonizing them into the new framework.
• Ensure compatibility of the framework with ETH's existing support processes and management tools.
• Foster adoption of the framework and its adaptable elements with departmental quality assurance and quality management representatives, as well as with external partners and accreditation bodies regarding scope and deliverables.
• Prepare reports, analyses, and expertise on the framework and its rollout for UTL management, the Rectorate, and academic departments.
• Represent the framework in committees addressing strategic quality of education issues and support the Head of Strategy & Analytics on strategic quality assurance and management matters.
• Lead a pilot program to prepare for the first implementation in 2027, and subsequently coordinate the institution-wide rollout, change management, and embedding of the framework across departments and central units.

Your Profile

• A Master's degree from ETH Zurich or a comparable university, or an FH Master's degree with equivalent additional knowledge in educational sciences, higher education studies, public administration or policy, social sciences, or a related field.
• In-depth expertise in quality assurance and management in higher education, with substantial practical experience, ideally including the design and implementation of frameworks or policies.
• Familiarity with accreditation requirements (HFKG/AAQ or comparable).
• Proven ability to build bridges across a large, decentralized organization and lead negotiations where interests differ.
• Experience in leading projects and change processes, and collaborating with external consultants and procurement.
• Proficient in survey design and familiar with common data-analysis tools.
• Detailed knowledge of ETH Zurich's processes and organizational structure or a comparable higher education institution, or the ability to acquire it quickly.
• Fluent command of both German and English, as the role will interact with both German-speaking departments and central units.
• A conceptual, evidence-based thinker who can communicate sensitive content clearly to a varied audience.

We Offer

• The opportunity to shape the framework that will influence how ETH assesses the quality of its teaching and learning for years to come.
• Significant flexibility in designing and steering the framework within agreed objectives.
• A broad reach across the university: direct collaboration with all 16 departments, central bodies, external partners, and visibility at the institutional decision-making level.
• A team whose ETH-wide projects and collaborations lay the groundwork for the framework.

Interested? So are we.

Apply online using the form below.

Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For further information about the United for Teaching and Learning (UTL), please visit our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. [Name].