Associate to the Directors at ETH AI Center

Description

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, proactive 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.

Responsibilities

• 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
• Project-manage Swiss National AI Institute governance meetings with EPFL counterparts
• 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 executive team on key strategic initiatives, providing valuable insights and support
• Own some admin tasks such as managing inbound requests and scheduling for the Directors and the Center as needed
• Support the core leadership team with the outstanding initiatives

The position is limited to a duration of 1 year with the intention to extend.

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
• 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

Workplace

We offer
Your job with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society
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