Senior Research Coordinator / Lab Manager
The International Relations & Data Science Group at ETH Zurich is seeking an experienced Senior Research Coordinator / Lab Manager to play a central role in the coordination, development, and execution of the group’s research activities. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work within a highly international team comprising members and collaborators from multiple countries and disciplines.
Key Responsibilities
- Research Project & Grant Coordination
- Take responsibility for coordinating externally funded research projects (e.g., SNSF, ERC) in close collaboration with the Principal Investigator(s), managing timelines, deliverables, and coordination processes across international research teams.
- Support the strategic development, preparation, and submission of grant applications by coordinating inputs, timelines, and partner contributions from various institutions and countries; contribute to proposal development where appropriate.
- Oversee scientific and financial reporting requirements for funded projects in coordination with ETH central administration and international project partners.
- Support contract-related processes (e.g., research agreements, collaboration agreements) and liaise with ETH grants, legal, and research offices as well as external partner institutions.
- Group & External Research Coordination
- Coordinate research activities, milestones, and workflows across multiple projects and group members in a diverse, international research environment.
- Serve as the central coordination point between the group and collaborating research teams at ETH Zurich and partner institutions worldwide.
- Support fieldwork and project logistics as needed.
- Help coordinate team members and maintain effective internal research processes, documentation, and knowledge sharing.
- Facilitate communication across institutions, disciplines, cultures, and time zones, ensuring smooth collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
- Research Support (Depending on Profile and Interest)
- Depending on experience and interest, contribute to substantive research-related tasks, such as background research, literature reviews, drafting or revising sections of grant proposals, and supporting academic publications with an international focus.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in international relations, political science, economics, data science, or a related field.
- Several years of relevant professional experience coordinating projects in a research environment and/or in international organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, take ownership of coordination processes, and manage complex research support tasks across multiple stakeholders and institutions.
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with academics, researchers, and international partners.
- Excellent written and spoken English (German is an asset).
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with national and international funding schemes (e.g., SNSF, ERC).
- Familiarity with research contracts, consortium agreements, and collaboration agreements in international academic settings.
- Prior experience contributing to research activities (e.g., proposal development, publications) in addition to coordination and project management.
- Experience working in interdisciplinary and internationally diverse research teams.
- A proactive, solution-oriented working style and interest in contributing to the longer-term development of an internationally connected research group.
Working Conditions
Enjoy numerous benefits and flexible, family-friendly working conditions. Join ETH Zurich, where your career will have a significant impact while contributing to positive societal change. We are committed to sustainability, climate neutrality, equal opportunities, and diversity in our employment practices.
Application Process
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered. We look forward to receiving your application by 28 February 2026 with the following documents in PDF format:
- CV
- Letter of motivation
- Copy of certificates/diplomas
- 2 Letters of recommendation, emailed directly to irds-office@ethz.ch
Start date: Ideally in the first half of 2026, or by mutual agreement.
Workplace: ETH Zurich, with close interaction across departments and partner institutions worldwide. For further information about the Professorship for International Relations and Data Science, please visit our website. Questions regarding the position may be directed to Professor Dr. Livia Schubiger at livia.schubiger@gess.ethz.ch (note: no recommendation letters or applications).
Please remember that we will exclusively accept applications submitted online. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered. The pre-selection process is conducted by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.