Student Assistant: Interdisciplinary Research in Urban Design, Data, and Platforms

Student Assistant: Interdisciplinary Research in Urban Design, Data, and Platforms

10%-30% position, Zurich, fixed-term

The Chair of Architecture and Urban Design, led by Prof. Hubert Klumpner at the Department of Architecture - D-ARCH, Institute of Landscape and Urban Studies - LUS, is seeking a motivated Student Assistant starting in August 2026 or as arranged.

The Klumpner Chair collaborates closely with the Network City and Landscape - NSL, the Albert Einstein School of Public Policy, and serves as an academic partner of the UN-Habitat Informal Urbanism Research Hub. Our work integrates teaching, research, and practice, addressing the complexities of global urbanization through the intersection of urban design, policy, and building prototyping. We aim to implement innovative solutions across regions including Latin America, the Balkans, and Southern Africa.

Project Background

The Urban Design Toolbox Catalog Platform (UDTC) is an ETH Innovedum project that translates pedagogical innovation into an open, interactive environment. This platform curates Urban Design Tools (UDTs) from around the world, mapping and comparing them to identify recurring patterns and context-specific challenges that inform equitable and regenerative urban futures. The project will be conducted in partnership with the Interactive Visualization & Intelligence Augmentation Lab D-INFK, led by Prof. Mennatallah El-Assady.

Job Description

The implementation phase of the project involves developing a customized digital platform for the UDTC, designed as an e-learning space for collecting, organizing, and exchanging urban design strategies across various cases, territories, and themes.

As a Student Assistant, you will support ongoing activities in the following areas:

• Support the development of the platform architecture and web design for the UDTC Platform
• Research, collect, and organize datasets, case study materials, and reference content
• Assist in establishing analytical frameworks for classifying and comparing urban design strategies
• Produce cartographies and explore alternative forms of data visualization
• Organize lecture recordings, documents, and archival materials for integration into the platform
• Assist with dataset processing, content structuring, and preparation for digital publication

Profile

• You are a student of architecture at ETH Zurich.
• You have a strong interest in urban design, spatial digital knowledge platforms, cartography, data-informed analysis, and data visualization.
• You possess experience with GIS workflows and spatial analysis.
• You are proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, along with a good knowledge of Excel.
• Familiarity with web design tools and dataset processing is desirable.
• You are at a stage in your studies where you can dedicate 10 to 20 hours per week during the semester (potentially more outside of semester).
• You are reliable, proactive, and capable of working both independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.

Workplace

Your workplace will be at the intersection of research, teaching, and practice, offering you valuable insights and contacts within the ETH community.

We Offer

• Maximum Flexibility: We understand that your studies come first. Working hours can be flexibly scheduled around your lecture timetable and examination periods.
• Fair Compensation: Employment is hourly and in accordance with the official ETH Zurich salary rates for student employees.
• Hands-on Experience: Gain insights into exciting projects and administrative processes, building valuable references for your future career.
• Interdisciplinary Network: Collaborate across research (D-ARCH and D-INFK) and gain insights into the Chair's applied research.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

At ETH Zurich, we encourage an inclusive culture that promotes equality of opportunity and values diversity. We nurture a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Sustainability is also a core value for us, and we are continuously working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We!

We look forward to receiving your online application using the form below. Please submit your application before June 6, 2026, along with the following documents:

• Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
• CV
• A brief portfolio (max. 5 pages)
• Certificates (optional)

For further information about the Department D-ARCH, please visit our website. Any questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Fernando Túlio Salva Rocha Franco at salvarochafranco@arch.ethz.ch (no applications).

Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

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 research, and our direct transfer of new knowledge into society, we are home to over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries. Our institution promotes independent thinking within an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe while forging connections globally, we collaborate to develop solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s global challenges.