Natural Hazards Mission Lead in Luzern

ETH Zurich has established the ETH Swiss GeoLab, a new interdisciplinary unit of ETH Zürich I Space.

The GeoLab focuses on Earth observation and its applications. It uses satellite, airborne, ground-based and in-situ observations, together with geospatial data, AI-driven analysis methods and high-performance computing, to develop solutions for specific societal and economic challenges.

Located at the D4 Business Village in Root, close to Lucerne, ETH Swiss GeoLab works at the interface of research, technology development and practical application, focusing on selected areas where Earth observation, geodata and advanced analytics can create tangible value for Switzerland.

The Natural Hazards Mission addresses a broad range of hazards relevant to Switzerland, including gravitational, meteorological-climatic and tectonic hazards. Current activities focus on alpine mass movements, while the mission will progressively expand to other natural hazard processes and associated risks. ETH Swiss GeoLab acts as a catalyst to accelerate the translation of research findings and prototypes into operational applications that support decision-making within integrated natural hazard risk management. It builds on stakeholder engagement, solution scoping and community-building activities already underway within GeoLab, including contributions from senior domain experts and partners across the Swiss natural hazards community.

ETH Swiss GeoLab is led by Prof. Dr Verena Griess as Director and Dr Felix Seidel as Managing Director. The GeoLab will grow into a project-based hub of around 100 experts over the coming years and will collaborate closely across the ETH domain, including WSL/SLF and the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS), as well as other Swiss research institutions, public-sector stakeholders, natural hazard organizations, industry partners, start-ups and international partners.

This position is offered as a fixed-term appointment for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of extension.

As Natural Hazards Mission Lead, you will lead the research and development portfolio and delivery of GeoLab's Natural Hazards Mission. Working within Switzerland's integrated natural hazard risk management framework, you will help define and evolve the mission portfolio, translate user needs into actionable programs and ensure that GeoLab activities create measurable value for practice and public decision-making.

You will report to the Managing Director of ETH Swiss GeoLab and work closely with GeoLab’s existing Natural Hazards Community & Solutions Lead, who supports stakeholder engagement, community building and solution scoping, as well as other GeoLab mission teams, domain experts, research institutions, public authorities, industry and other external partners. Within the approved mission charter, budget and governance framework, you will have the authority to prioritize, initiate, redirect, scale, pause or stop activities.

As part of your role, you will:

• On behalf of the GeoLab leadership team, define and manage an ambitious and coherent R&D and innovation portfolio for the Natural Hazards Mission
• Engage with public authorities, practitioners, infrastructure operators, industry and expert communities to understand needs and identify opportunities
• Identify high-value operational challenges and translate them into measurable outcomes, research priorities and solution requirements
• Define mission roadmaps, milestones, decision points and success criteria, track progress and evidence, and recommend continuation, redirection, scaling or termination of activities
• Manage the delegated mission budget and ensure transparent performance and financial reporting
• Work with GeoLab teams and external project teams to develop, test, validate and integrate promising solutions into operational workflows
• Build and mobilize strong partnerships across the ETH domain, research institutions, public agencies, consulting and engineering firms, technology companies and implementation partners
• Represent the Natural Hazards Mission and communicate its goals, progress and lessons learned to internal and external stakeholders

Profile

You understand the needs of practitioners and decision-makers in natural hazards and are motivated to turn research, data and technology into practical solutions with measurable impact.

We do not expect expertise across every natural hazard domain or technology. You should bring solid experience in one area of natural hazard risk management, together with strong methodological or technical expertise relevant to natural hazards and the curiosity and judgement to work effectively with experts from other fields.

We are looking for someone with:

• A Master's degree or PhD in natural hazards, Earth observation or remote sensing, geosciences, engineering, environmental sciences, geography, hydrology, meteorology, risk management or a related field
• Strong expertise and several years of professional experience in at least one natural hazard domain, gained in practice, applied research, public administration, consulting, engineering or industry
• Experience leading complex projects, programs or multi-partner initiatives
• Strong communication and collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across disciplines and organizations
• The ability to manage priorities, resources and budgets in a transparent and structured way
• Excellent written and spoken English and at least B2-level German or French are required

Additional experience that would be valuable includes:

• Experience working with public authorities or the Swiss natural hazards community
• Experience with Earth observation, geospatial data, modelling, monitoring systems or Geospatial AI
• Experience with stakeholder engagement, communication and collaborations
• Experience transferring research or technology into operational practice

You are mission-driven, pragmatic and comfortable working in a newly established and evolving organization. You combine scientific credibility with sound judgement, a focus on user needs and measurable value, and a willingness to pursue the best idea, not necessarily your own.

We offer

• A rare opportunity to help build ETH Swiss GeoLab from its early phase and shape its Natural Hazards Mission
• A mission-driven role with substantial responsibility, autonomy and societal relevance
• The opportunity to work across natural hazard domains with leading research, public-sector and industry partners in Switzerland
• Access to a unique combination of domain expertise, Earth observation and geospatial data, AI, high-performance computing and real-world implementation environments

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 .

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