Head of Smart Services and Operations (Professorship) 80 – 100 %

Head of Smart Services and Operations (Professorship) 80 – 100 %

Do you want to actively shape the future of industry and services – with smart services and optimized business processes that create real, sustainable added value? Then shape this change together with us!

Department: School of Engineering

Start of work: January 2026 or by agreement (Application deadline: 31.08.2025)

• You will take on the strategic, personnel, technical, and financial leadership of the focus area "Smart Services and Operations" and represent it within and outside the ZHAW.
• You will actively participate in the institute's management and help shape its development.
• You will be responsible for the teaching portfolio in several degree programs – including Industrial Engineering, Data Science, Circular Economy Management, and the Master's program Master of Science in Engineering – and will specifically develop new teaching formats.
• You will design, lead, and conduct continuing education offerings (e.g., WBK, CAS, DAS, MAS) and contribute to the continuous further development of the offerings.
• You will strategically further develop the research focus and acquire, lead, and realize national and international research and development projects (e.g., Innosuisse, EU, SNF) in collaboration with universities and companies.
• You will maintain, expand, and lead networks with partners from industry and universities to promote research projects and continuing education – also in inter-institutional cooperation.
• You will publish your research results, give lectures, and actively engage in professional committees to position the focus area visibly in science and practice.

You have completed a scientific or engineering university degree with a doctorate and have proven expertise in quantitative methods. A higher education didactic qualification and business management knowledge are advantageous.

You bring many years of experience in the field of Smart Services and Operations and have solid methodological knowledge to link technological, business, and societal aspects.

Furthermore, you have demonstrable research and development experience at the interface of industrial processes and data-driven service development. You have successfully acquired and led national and international projects.

You have at least five years of industry experience in relevant fields and are well connected in the Swiss and European industry, service, and higher education landscape. In addition, you bring several years of leadership experience in larger teams and have a strong interest in new technologies and their integration into business processes.

Fluent language skills in German and English, high team orientation, quality awareness, and enjoyment of scientific and technical challenges round out your profile.

The appointment as a professor will be made by the University of Applied Sciences Council upon appropriate qualification.

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

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

At the Institute for Data Analysis and Process Design (IDP), we transform data into tangible added value. With a strong scientific foundation and a clear focus on practical solutions, we develop innovative approaches in Data Science and Business Engineering.

The focus area Smart Services and Operations (SSO) shapes the digital future of services and business processes. Intelligent solutions are developed using data-driven technologies, quantitative methods of service engineering, and operations management that create real added value – efficiently, customer-centered, and sustainably.

The ZHAW is committed to promoting gender-mixed and diverse teams to foster equality, diversity, and innovation. To increase the proportion of women in leadership positions, applications from women are particularly welcome.

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

Dr. Nikola Pascher

Head of the Institute for Data Analysis and Process Design (IDP)

Jasmin Strobel

Recruiting Manager