Professor in Machine Elements with Focus on Product Development Leadership at the IPP Institute 80 – 100 %

About the job

Professor in Machine Elements with Focus on Product Development Leadership at the IPP Institute 80 – 100 %

Help us shape future-proof products and innovative methods of interdisciplinary product development – and specifically contribute your expertise to the education of the next generation of engineers.

Department: School of Engineering

Start date: October 1, 2026 or by arrangement

As head of the Product Development group at the Institute of Product Development and Production Technologies, you are responsible for teaching and research in the areas of product development, design of machine elements and gear technology, as well as other specialized fields along the entire product lifecycle. Your focus is both on teaching the fundamentals of mechanical engineering and on research into innovative projects with national and international project partners.

Your tasks include:

• Strategic and operational management of the Product Development focus area including budget and personnel management
• Teaching in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and continuing education, as well as supervising project, bachelor’s, and master’s theses
• Establishing and pursuing independent research activities for the professorship in the field of machine elements, gear technology up to AI-supported development methods
• Acquisition, planning, and management of projects in research and development as well as services (Innosuisse, SNSF, EU, direct contracts, etc.)
• Dissemination of project results from research and development
• Participation in relevant national and international research committees
• You hold a completed university degree with a doctorate in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• You have proven research and development experience in the field of machine elements and product development as well as extensive experience in acquiring and managing research projects, preferably in gear technology and/or related technologies.
• You have comprehensive industry experience of at least five years in the mentioned subject areas and have a strong network, especially in the Swiss machine industry and possibly also in Europe.
• You have teaching experience at a university and/or have additional didactic training (e.g., CAS University Didactics).
• You enjoy and have experience in team leadership, personnel development, and strategic topics.
• You communicate fluently in both spoken and written German and English.
• You have already presented at numerous relevant conferences and published peer-reviewed articles in professional journals.
• You like to work both independently and in a team, have a high quality awareness, and are skilled in handling scientific and technically demanding tasks.

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. Fourteen institutes and centers guarantee high-quality education, research, and development with a focus on energy, mobility, information, and health.

The Institute of Product Development and Production Technologies (IPP) at ZHAW researches and imparts knowledge for the development of sustainable solutions in product and production engineering. With our expertise, experience, and infrastructure in Circular Economy Design, Product Development, Digitalisation in Machines, Additive Manufacturing, and Manufacturing Laboratory, we contribute to the transformation from a linear to a circular society and economy.

ZHAW is committed to gender-mixed and diverse teams to promote 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 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 key points:

Yeliz Sevinc

Recruiting Manager