Research / Teaching Assistant for Pedagogical Innovation and Hands-on Workshops on Regenerative Materials
60%-100%, Zurich, fixed-term
The Chair of Sustainable Construction at ETH Zurich is committed to embedding sustainability in the built environment disciplines. We are targeting September 2026 as the starting date (or upon agreement).
The climate crisis necessitates urgent, systemic changes in our design, construction, and learning practices. Our team, comprised of scientists, engineers, and architects, seeks to identify key parameters that impact the environmental effects of buildings, facilitating the implementation of regenerative practices through innovative strategies tailored to diverse stakeholders. This endeavor involves interdisciplinary collaboration and incorporates life cycle assessment (LCA), urban metabolism, and material science.
In addition to our research and industry partnerships, we provide experimental workshops for students (BSc, MSc) and professionals (CAS, MAS) aimed at raising awareness and training participants in the use of regenerative materials. Over the last decade, we have crafted teaching content characterized by its trans-material and trans-disciplinary nature.
Job Description
We are seeking a colleague to enhance pedagogical innovation and our hands-on education program centered on regenerative materials. The position encompasses pedagogy, experimentation, material practice, and coordination, including the design, coordination, and delivery of experimental learning formats (2 hours, half-day, full-day, one-week) that translate materials science into architectural and engineering practice.
- Develop a coherent pedagogy grounded in:
- Learning by doing and iterative experimentation.
- “Matter before material”: understanding granular, fibrous, binding, soft, and water phases through intuitive, counter-intuitive, and phenomenological experiments.
- Multisensory exercises that foster intuitive understanding.
- Visible-invisible bridges: tools revealing micro-to-macro behavior (time-lapse, polarized light, macro imagery) connecting microstructure, material performance, and structural/architectural form.
- Transdisciplinary interventions based on role play and design thinking.
- Co-create and lead workshops on earth/clay, mineral binders, fibers, and more, including material preparation, safe lab protocols, and logistics (space, tools, transport).
- Build and maintain a digital and physical library of teaching resources: experiment sheets, step-by-step explanations, and open educational modules.
- Train-the-trainer: support ETH staff, teaching assistants, and external partners in adopting and adapting the pedagogy, promoting scalability and reproducibility.
- Contribute to research-aligned teaching: connect workshop insights with ongoing chair projects on mix design, characterization, and process optimization.
- Help develop coherent teaching inputs for material development tailored to local resources and specific audiences (engineers, architects, construction companies).
Profile
- Passion for regenerative construction and the future of the built environment; enthusiasm for hands-on making.
- Interest in local resources, vernacular techniques, and contemporary reinterpretations aligned with scalable, circular, and low-carbon construction.
- Academic or professional background in architecture, civil/material engineering, materials science, environmental design, design education, or related fields. A Master’s or PhD is valued.
- Demonstrated experience in:
- Designing and delivering experimental higher education or professional training.
- Workshop facilitation with a strong focus on group dynamics and safety culture.
- Material characterization and formulation (preferably earth/clay and biobased materials) or the ability to learn quickly and collaborate closely with researchers.
- Creating engaging learning media (protocols, visuals, short videos, time-lapse, documentation).
- Pedagogical competencies: comfort with a design thinking approach; openness to counter-intuitive experiments as catalysts for understanding.
- Excellent communication skills (English required; German and/or French a plus).
- Strong organizational skills: planning, logistics, supplier liaison, scheduling, and inventory management.
- Team-oriented mindset, empathy, and the ability to manage multiple projects.
- A valid driving license (for the local transport of materials and equipment).
Workplace
ETH Zurich offers a welcoming, interdisciplinary environment composed of architects, engineers, and scientists. Join us in shaping a flagship, hands-on education module at the intersection of material science, design, and sustainability. We provide access to labs, workshops, and prototyping spaces to develop and test innovative teaching experiments, along with a culture that emphasizes trust, kindness, and co-creation while supporting your professional development. Employment conditions are in accordance with ETH Zurich guidelines.
We Value Diversity and Sustainability
In line with our principles, ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture. We champion equal opportunity, value diversity, and cultivate a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Our commitment to sustainability drives us toward a climate-neutral future.
Curious? So Are We.
We invite you to apply online using the form below. Please include the following documents in your application:
- A cover letter outlining your motivation and relevant experience in hands-on/regenerative material pedagogy.
- A full CV.
- A concise portfolio showcasing examples of workshops or courses designed/delivered, links to teaching materials, videos, or documentation; and, if applicable, a list of projects or publications.
- Contact details for two referees.
Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. For more information about the Chair of Sustainable Construction, visit our website. For any questions about the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Guillaume Habert (habertg@ethz.ch). Please do not send applications by email.
About ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology. Renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research, and direct knowledge transfer into society, over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries thrive in an environment that fosters independent thinking and inspires excellence. Positioned in the heart of Europe, we forge connections worldwide to collaboratively develop solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s global challenges.