Lab Manager and Experimental Technical Support Staff

At the IDEAL Lab, we develop algorithms and computational models that design physical hardware and validate those designs via physical experiments. We have a growing physical footprint that includes 3D printers, a custom foam cutter, several robotic arms (UR5e), and a variety of small mechatronic test rigs that change depending on the project. We also have a large teaching profile with ~20-30 Bachelor's and Master's students joining the lab each semester for various projects, a subset of which involve robotics or mechatronics-related experiments.

Project background

We are looking for a part-time technical staff member to act as a Lab Manager and/or coordinating technician, depending on the skillset of the person. The specific roles and responsibilities of this person — and the amount of time/effort required from them — would depend on what they could do based on their experience or desire for future training/growth. The core task would be basic lab operations and safety, as mentioned below — anticipated ~20% time — with an optional/desired role for additional time being the engineering and student support — initially anticipated at 20% time, however, this has the option to grow in the future depending on the skills, usefulness, and desires of the specific candidate.

Job description

Basic Lab Operations and Safety (~20% time):

• Act as the General Safety Representative for the lab. Train incoming students/staff on safety rules and how to use shared equipment (trainings occur 3-4 times per year for 1-2 hours). Update the safety concept, e.g., once per year or as needed.
• Keep the lab spaces operational, such as managing inventory, handling purchase requests for supplies, retrieving packages as needed, and working with students to ensure workstations are kept clean and organized. Coordinate the once-a-year lab cleaning day with staff.
• Coordinate with staff and students on the maintenance and use of shared equipment such as the 3D printers, robots, and hand tools, as well as repairs when things break, as per the safety concept. This can include delegating tasks to existing staff if appropriate.
• Act as a point of contact for student questions about where equipment or supplies are located in the lab space. Generally share personal knowledge and maintain personal relationships. Guide students toward other ETH resources (like other technical workshops or facilities) outside of our immediate lab’s perimeter when they have specific questions/needs (e.g., ETH TechPool, off-site laser cutters, Instron machines, etc.).
• Attend any occasional lab operational meetings with the PI and other staff, or lab retreats as desired, although not recurring lab meetings (unless desired).

Engineering and Student Support (~20% time):

• Where appropriate, support research goals by helping or consulting with students and staff to debug and run physical experiments they have planned. This could include helping them build or debug necessary rigs or platforms for various research projects, automating existing procedures from past research projects to make them easier to extend in the future, or building working knowledge of the lab’s robotic infrastructure to more quickly onboard new student projects. This depends on the specific hands-on skills of the individual candidate, and also the project needs, as existing students/staff will be the ones largely responsible for setting up and maintaining their own infrastructure.
• Support research goals by coordinating with outside/external partners, for example, ETH TechPool, outside contractors, researchers at other labs or institutions, etc. to deliver or maintain necessary experimental equipment.
• Maintain the operation of a few lab demos for occasional visitors.
• Assist, as requested, Ph.D. students and Post-Docs with transitioning their student projects between semesters, e.g., from one set of Thesis students to another, in cases where the project has a physical experiment setup that uses the lab space. For example, by helping create or review documentation, answering questions that new students may have, demonstrating the use of an existing test setup, or helping staff store or dismantle projects that are no longer needed.

Profile

• A practical background (e.g., FH, B.Sc., M.Sc. degree) in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, robotics or a related field.
• Hands-on expertise with 3D printing, small robotics (like UR5e), and basic electronics/sensors or mechatronic systems.
• You like working with and mentoring students, and helping them pursue varied and creative projects that ensure both safety and pragmatism/flexibility.
• Organized, practical, team player, and comfortable with enforcing lab safety rules and making sure students/staff clean up after themselves.
• An ideal candidate would feel comfortable working with small hand tools, small robotic cobots (e.g., UR5e and associated ROS/ROS2 environments), and developing small sensor packages/electronic setups necessary for measuring device performance (e.g., RPMs, distances moved, thrusts/forces, etc.). The candidate would also be comfortable looking at engineering drawings provided by outside partners, such as ETH TechPool or similar.

We offer

• World-class research infrastructure and excellent working conditions guided by our common understanding of a supportive shared work culture
• A role that makes an impact: Become part of ETH Zurich and an international academic environment that supports your professional development and contributes to societal progress through research and teaching.
• You will be fully integrated into both the chair's team and the department's tecnicians team. Regular professional and personal exchange, as well as open and supportive collaboration, provide you with a strong network in your daily work.
• We offer flexible working hours that – as far as operational requirements allow – accommodate different personal and family needs.
• ETH Zurich offers a wide range of courses and professional development opportunities.
• Benefits such as public transport passes and car sharing, a wide sports program through ASVZ, childcare, etc.
• Attractive pension benefits through the PUBLICA pension fund.

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity and sustainability

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.

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to your online application with the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Certificates of employment

Further information about the Artificial Intelligence in Engineering Design Lab can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Mrs Martina Koch, Adm. Assistant, 044 632 45 16 or martikoc@ethz.ch (no applications).

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

For recruitment services the GTC of ETH Zurich apply.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising 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,
yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to
develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.