Professor and Team Leader Autonomous Robotic Systems 80 – 100 %

Professor and Team Leader Autonomous Robotic Systems 80 – 100 %

Work with us on the future of robotics, develop intelligent, autonomous systems for real-world applications, and pass on your expertise to aspiring engineers.

Department: School of Engineering

Start date: 01.08.2026 or by arrangement, application deadline: 31.03.2026.

You lead a team of scientific staff at the Institute for Mechatronic Systems and carry out applied research and development projects with this team. With your expertise, you further develop this team and contribute to teaching.

Your tasks include:

• You take on the strategic, personnel, technical, and financial management of the "Autonomous Robotic Systems" team and participate in the institute's management.
• You acquire and lead research and development projects (for example Innosuisse, EU, SNF, and direct service contracts with industry partners).
• You teach in bachelor and master programs and in continuing education, and supervise project, bachelor, and master theses.
• You represent your research group and your topics internally and externally.
• You have a completed university degree with a doctorate in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, or a related field.
• You are familiar with topics such as robot kinematics, autonomous robotics, model-predictive control, reinforcement learning, deep learning, human-machine interaction, and collaborative robotics.
• You have proven experience in leading research and development projects in the fields of robotics and automation as well as extensive experience in acquiring research projects (especially EU projects) and publishing results.
• You have comprehensive industry experience of at least 5 years in the sought-after subject areas and have a network in Switzerland and possibly also abroad.
• You enjoy leading a team of young researchers and already have experience in team leadership.
• You communicate fluently in both spoken and written German and English.

Thanks to your high self-motivation, your willingness to shape, your enthusiasm, and your joy in challenging, current issues, you shape the further development of the Autonomous Robotic Systems area at the institute. Teaching is conducted in German and English. You are characterized by your customer- and results-oriented way of working.

The ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, with over 14,000 students and over 11,000 continuing education participants as well as around 3,700 employees, is one of the largest multi-disciplinary universities of applied sciences in Switzerland.

The School of Engineering (SoE), as one of the leading educational and research institutions in Switzerland, focuses on future-relevant topics. 14 institutes and centers guarantee high-quality education, research, and development with a focus on energy, mobility, information, and health.

The Institute for Mechatronic Systems (IMS) is one of the leading institutes in the field of mechatronics and robotics. Around 50 employees work on national and international research projects and in teaching.

If the requirements are met, the awarding of the title of professor is planned. The title is awarded by the University of Applied Sciences Council.

ZHAW is committed to gender-mixed and diverse teams to promote equality, diversity, and innovation.

We offer university-appropriate working and employment conditions and actively promote the personnel development of our employees and managers. A detailed description of the benefits can be found on the "Working at ZHAW" website. Here are the main points:

Prof. Dr. Marcel Honegger

Co-Head Institute for Mechatronic Systems

Samy Shalaby

Recruiting Manager