Job opportunity
80%-100%, Zurich, fixed-term
SwissCAT+ East is a national technology platform of the ETH Domain dedicated to advancing catalysis research through data-driven, automated, and high-throughput experimentation. The platform provides academic and industrial researchers with access to state-of-the-art robotic infrastructure, combined with advanced data analysis, machine learning tools, and expert technical support.
SwissCAT+ East operates as an open-access infrastructure, supporting projects for both academic and industrial research groups in Switzerland and internationally, with a strong emphasis on sustainable catalysis and materials development. The mission of SwissCAT+ East is to translate scientific questions into machine-learning-driven and automated experimental workflows and execute complex experimental campaigns with high reproducibility and throughput.
To achieve this, the platform continuously expands a unique portfolio of robotic and high-throughput systems for the synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of catalysts under commercially relevant reaction conditions. The infrastructure includes both commercial automation platforms and custom-designed systems developed in collaboration with academic and industrial partners to extend experimental capabilities beyond what is commercially available.
As a Lab Automation Engineer at SwissCAT+ East, you will be responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, programming, and continuously developing a diverse portfolio of automated and high-throughput laboratory systems. The infrastructure includes state-of-the-art robotic platforms for synthesis, characterization, and catalytic testing. You will ensure reliable day-to-day operations of complex systems in a user-facing environment while contributing to their technical evolution and supporting scientists in integrating automation into new experimental workflows.
The position involves close interaction with scientists, lab technicians, machine learning engineers, and external partners at the interface of automation, software, and experimental catalysis.
The position is initially offered as a fixed-term contract with a workload between 80% and 100%, with the intention to transition to a longer-term or permanent position, subject to project development and mutual agreement.
You are a hands-on automation engineer with a strong technical background and a pragmatic mindset, comfortable working in a complex laboratory environment with multiple automated systems.
This role is well suited for candidates who enjoy working close to hardware, ensuring high system reliability, and developing practical automation solutions in a research-driven and collaborative environment.
We offer a technically challenging and highly hands-on engineering role within a unique national research infrastructure, allowing for direct responsibility for state-of-the-art laboratory automation and high-throughput robotic platforms. You will have the opportunity to shape and further develop automated experimental workflows in close collaboration with scientists and engineers, along with a high degree of autonomy and ownership over complex systems and technical solutions.
In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity, and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us—we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.
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 Dr. Paco Laveille at plaveille@ethz.ch (no applications).
For more information about SwissCAT+ East, please visit our website.
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research, and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, we collaborate globally to develop solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.