Associate to the Directors at ETH AI Center

The ETH AI Center is one of the largest AI centers in Europe with over 120 Professors from all 16 departments of ETH Zurich and over 1500 PhD students & post-docs. Our mission is to foster interdisciplinary AI research and pave the way from science to society. 

If you are a highly motivated individual with a passion for AI and a desire to make a significant impact in a rapidly evolving field, we would love to hear from you. Join our team at the ETH AI Center and be part of a collaborative and innovative environment dedicated to advancing AI research and technology. 

The Associate to the Directors will work directly with the Executive Director and Co-Director of the ETH AI Center, supporting strategic, operational, and scientific initiatives across the Center. This is a dynamic, pro-active role that offers unparalleled access to the inner workings of one of Europe’s leading AI research hubs.

This position is designed as a launchpad for exceptional individuals, usually in a 1-2 year capacity, offering broad and deep exposure to the AI research landscape, innovation ecosystems, academic-industry collaboration, and science policy. Associates gain hands-on experience in science strategy, research management, and institutional leadership – ideal preparation for future roles in academia, industry, or entrepreneurship. 

Your exceptional ability to simplify complex concepts, follow through, and get things done will be essential to driving projects and initiatives forward to hit their goals.

• Assist in setting up new initiatives and projects from ideation to funding, actively following up on project milestones, reporting, finances, and deliverables.
• Create compelling presentations, collaboration agreements, and other relevant documentation to support project initiatives.
• Independently moderate and drive smaller projects, proactively following through on tasks, deadlines, and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with teams to introduce and enhance processes, such as OKR (Objectives and Key Results) reviews, to optimize efficiency and performance.
• Work directly with the Directors and the ETH AI Center management on key strategic initiatives, providing valuable insights and support.
• Oversee administrative processes, including scheduling, documentation, contract management, invoicing, and internal coordination, to ensure efficient operations and compliance with ETH policies.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills - able to build trust, collaborate across disciplines, and to steer teams towards common objectives.
• Skilled at capturing and structuring discussions and decisions through clear meeting minutes and follow-up actions.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and solution-driven mindset.
• Excellent organizational skills with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong curiosity and hunger for learning, constantly seeking out new ideas and opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence and related disciplines.

Requirements

• A bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field.
• Prior experience in a similar role in project management, consulting, academia, or a tech/startup environment is a strong plus.
• A demonstrated passion for artificial intelligence research and a strong interest in driving innovation in the field.
• Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to think critically and strategically.

• Your career with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society.
• We are actively committed to a sustainable and climate-neutral university.
• You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare and attractive pension benefits.