Office Manager at ETH Swiss GeoLab

Office Manager at ETH Swiss Geo Lab 60%-100%, Zurich, permanent

ETH Zurich is establishing the ETH Swiss Geo Lab
, a pioneering applied research facility located in Lucerne (initially based in Zurich). The Geo Lab focuses on multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation in Earth observation and related fields and is embedded within ETH Zurich | Space.

We are looking for a motivated and experienced administrative professional to join the Geo Lab during its early development phase to contribute to shaping its operational foundations, processes, and workplace culture.

The position will be based in Lucerne, with an initial temporary workplace at ETH Zentrum in Zurich. The permanent Geo Lab location in Lucerne is expected to be announced in March 2026 and operational by mid-2026. Until then, the primary workplace will be ETH Zentrum in Zurich. Occasional travel between Zurich and Lucerne is expected.

During the build-up phase, the primary focus of this role is executive and administrative support, operational coordination, and the establishment of the Lucerne site. Responsibilities will scale over time in line with organisational development.

The desired starting date is as soon as possible.

In this role, you will support the establishment and day-to-day operation of the ETH Swiss Geo Lab. A key focus lies in providing high-level administrative and executive support, including managing schedules and calendars, coordinating meetings, handling correspondence, and ensuring well-structured document workflows.

You will coordinate and monitor group and project budgets in close collaboration with ETH finance services, process financial transactions and expense reports, and support contract-related procedures in coordination with the legal department. You will also support recruitment processes and advise colleagues on HR-related procedures in collaboration with ETH HR services.

As the Geo Lab establishes its presence in Lucerne, you will play a key role in supporting the setup and maintenance of office and meeting-room infrastructure and coordinating with facility services and local partners to ensure efficient day-to-day operations.

Furthermore, you will coordinate event and visitor management, including the planning and execution of internal and external meetings and workshops. You will support professional communication and representation activities, such as preparing presentations and reviewing correspondence. Throughout these tasks, you will actively contribute to shaping the Geo Lab and represent it professionally to both internal and external stakeholders.

You will work closely with the Geo Lab leadership, researchers, and ETH administrative units in a collaborative and pragmatic working environment.

• Education: Completed commercial or administrative vocational training; further training in project or office management is an asset
• Experience: A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience is required. Experience in an academic or research setting, and/or event coordination is an advantage
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  
  • Very good written and spoken German and English
  • Advanced user skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and scheduling tools
  • Experience with SAP systems (e.g. ETHIS) is an advantage
• Competencies: Structured, analytical, and solution-oriented working style; proactive and reliable personality; strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build bridges across teams
• Flexibility: Interest in contributing to the long-term establishment of the Lucerne site and willingness to travel occasionally between Zurich and Lucerne

• The unique opportunity to help shape a new and highly visible ETH applied research facility from its early stages
• A high level of autonomy and responsibility in a multidisciplinary environment
• Broad interfaces across ETH units and external partners
• Professional growth alongside the evolving needs of the Geo Lab
• Attractive employment conditions at ETH Zurich, including flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and comprehensive social benefits

In…