EMPA

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. The Urban Energy Systems Laboratory (UESL) pioneers strategies, solutions, and methods to support the development of sustainable, resilient, and equitable urban energy systems. Our work combines technology and policy with systems thinking and practical implementation, always grounded in real-world urban challenges. This PhD position is part of the FRACNET-CITY project, a French-Swiss research collaboration funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). The project brings together expertise in multifractal analysis, urban and energy planning, geography, and artificial intelligence to develop coherent and resilient approaches for urban energy infrastructures under land-use constraints such as No Net Land Take. The consortium comprises four complementary PhD projects addressing different methodological and thematic aspects of urban energy systems. The successful candidate will be based at Empa (Switzerland) and work in close collaboration with partner institutions in France and Switzerland, including research stays within the FRACNET-CITY consortium. Your tasks The focus of this PhD position is to assess the operational feasibility and robustness of urban energy system designs emerging from AI- and multifractal-informed planning approaches. The PhD will develop and apply optimization-based energy system models to analyse whether spatially coherent urban and energy configurations can be operated efficiently under realistic physical, spatial, and infrastructural constraints. The work aims to identify feasible operating patterns for electricity and heating systems at the district and urban scale, and to study how spatial characteristics and uncertainty (e.g. demand evolution, renewable generation) influence system performance and trade-offs. The research will combine analytical modelling with data-driven and AI-based methods, for example for scenario generation or uncertainty exploration. The PhD will work with synthetic test cases and real urban case studies in Switzerland and France, in close collaboration with partners of the FRACNET-CITY consortium. Your profile ou are a highly motivated and qualified candidate holding a Master’s degree in Engineering, Energy Systems, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Physics, or a related field. You bring a strong analytical background and experience with optimization models and quantitative analysis methods. Familiarity with urban energy systems, energy infrastructures, or spatial modelling and analysis is a strong asset. You are proficient working with programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, or similar, and are interested in combining analytical modelling with data-driven or AI-based approaches. You are self-driven, curious, and able to work both independently and in interdisciplinary research teams. Proficiency in English (spoken and written) is required; knowledge of German and/or French is an advantage. Our offer We offer a challenging and stimulating PhD position in a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment with excellent infrastructure. The successful candidate will be embedded in the Urban Energy Systems Laboratory (UESL) at Empa and benefit from close collaboration within the FRACNET-CITY French - Swiss research consortium, providing access to complementary expertise in energy systems, spatial analysis, and artificial intelligence. The PhD position will be formally hosted at Empa, with opportunities for research stays at partner institutions in Switzerland and France. The starting date is flexible, ideally in September 2026, or upon mutual agreement. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, an up-to-date CV, transcripts of all obtained degrees (in English), one publication (e.g., MSc thesis or a conference/journal publication, link is sufficient). Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. Patricia Nitzsche , Stv. Leiterin Human Resources / Dep. Head Human Resources Questions? Dr Georgios Mavromatidis Head of Laboratory Urban Energy Systems https://uesl.empa.ch Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. The Laboratory for Building Energy Materials and Components develops advanced and/or low eco-impact, porous materials for insulation, sorption, and energy-related applications. Our research portfolio spans fundamental materials chemistry, process–structure–property relationships, and application-driven R&D, in close collaboration with academic and industrial partners. To strengthen our team, we are seeking a highly motivated researcher with a strong background in solid adsorbents/gas adsorption/separation. Project Focus The project builds on Empa’s expertise in the field of sorbents and carbon capture. The position is part of the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) "Separations", a collaborative project lead by EPFL (Prof. Wendy Queen) and further involving ETH Zurich, University of Fribourg, HES-SO, Northwestern University (USA) and University of Alberta (Canada). The NCCR focuses on three key challenges: CO2 capture from air: Developing scalable, cost-effective processes to efficiently remove atmospheric CO2. High-temperature ammonia separation: Creating novel high temperature separation technologies to make ammonia synthesis significantly more energy-efficient. Recovery of critical metals: Developing processes to recover valuable metals such as lithium and cobalt from waste streams, enabling secure and sustainable material cycles. Your tasks As part of the NCCR-Network, you will contribute to the project aims in the areas of shaped CO2 adsorbents and sorbent ageing. Within the framework of the NCCR project with well-defined objectives, you will be encouraged to develop independent ideas, propose new concepts, and test them experimentally and/or computationally. The role is ideally suited to strengthen your pre-existing expertise and enhance your academic track record. Your responsibilities will include: Help coordinate project activities and develop synergies within the team and between project partners. Supervise intern students contributing to the project. Elucidate chemical as well as structural ageing mechanisms of structured and pure solid sorbents under different ageing conditions. Develop accelerated and high throughput sorbent ageing protocols. Help define mitigation strategies for sorbent ageing. Develop versatile, upscalable sorbent shaping/coating procedures. Help shape new, emerging scientific research lines within the project scope and publish/communicate your scientific results Your profile A high level of curiosity, independence, teamwork skills and motivation Doctoral degree or equivalent research experience in porous materials, surface or adsorption/separation science or a closely related field Excellent written and oral communication skills in English Experience or familiarity with one of the following topics: Characterization of sorbent/porous materials characterization e.g. nitrogen sorption (BET, BJH, NLDFT), breakthrough measurements, SEM, TEM, TGA, FTIR, NMR, thermal conductivity measurements Synthesis and/or shaping of solid sorbents. Sorbent modelling and prediction of performance or ageing. Our offer We offer a stimulating, international, and collaborative research environment at a leading research institution with state-of-the-art infrastructure. The laboratory and supervisors provide a supportive and safe-to-fail work environment. As part of the ETH Domain, we offer attractive employment conditions and excellent opportunities for professional and personal development. Start date is May 2026 or upon agreement for a duration of 2 years. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. David Heusser , HR Partner Questions? Dr. Sandra Galmarini Group leader Building Energy Materials and Components +41 58 765 4066 https://www.empa.ch/web/s312/advanced-colloidal-materials-engineering Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. We offer an opportunity to join an exciting project within the Laboratory for Air Pollution / Environmental Technology at Empa, in collaboration with ETH Zurich. The four-year project, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), will investigate the in-cloud scavenging processes of plastic aerosol particles through laboratory experiments that mimic their cloud ice formation processes. Your research will contribute to the fundamental understanding of the lifetime and wet deposition of plastic pollutions in the atmosphere, and to what extent, their cloud interaction abilities can regulate their life cycle and environmental impacts. Project background Micro- and nano-sized plastic particles (MPs and NPs, collectively called MNPs) are an emerging global concern because of their detrimental effects on the environment, ecosystems, and human health. This highlights an urgent need to track their footprints in the atmosphere which plays a key role in their lifetime in the environment. This PhD project aims to examine the atmospheric aging and in-cloud scavenging processes of micro- and nano-sized plastic particles through laboratory studies. Your tasks You will be based at Empa to characterize the physio-chemical properties of plastic particles and will use ice nucleation instruments at ETH Zurich to simulate cloud ice formation processes. Prepare MP and NP aerosol samples of atmospheric relevance Mimic atmospheric aging processes relevant for MNPs Characterize the physiochemical properties of MNPs Test the ice formation ability of MNPs Complete a PhD thesis at ETHZ Your profile We are looking for a highly motivated, committed, and talented candidate. The successful candidate should hold an MSc (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, engineering, atmospheric/environmental sciences, or a related field. Previous experience with one or more of the following topics is preferred: analytical techniques for aerosol properties, micro- or nanoplastics, online or offline ice nucleation experiments. A good knowledge of programming languages such as Python, R, MATLAB or IGOR is expected. Excellent English skills, both in verbal and written communication, are required for the project. Our offer Empa offers outstanding infrastructure, career support, networking opportunities, and competitive salaries. Empa also provides excellent infrastructure and plenty of possibilities for personal and professional development. Fully funded four-year PhD position at Empa in Dübendorf, starting from September 2026. Joint supervision/research resources and infrastructures from Empa and ETH Zurich. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a one-page letter of motivation stating research experiences and interests, CV, academic transcripts, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. David Heusser , HR Partner Questions? Dr. Christoph Hüglin Group leader +41 58 765 4654 https://www.empa.ch/web/s503/ambient-air-pollution Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. The Scientific IT Team supports cutting-edge research in materials science, health, environment and technology by providing expertise in research data management, research software engineering, high‑performance computing (HPC), data science and AI. To strengthen our HPC and computational support capabilities, we are looking for an HPC Expert / Research Software Engineer who will serve as the primary link between Empa researchers and supercomputing resources. Your tasks As our HPC Expert / RSE, you will be the main point of contact for all HPC-related activities, particularly for the CSCS (Swiss National Supercomputing Centre) systems. You will support researchers in making efficient and effective use of large-scale computational resources, optimize scientific software and help shape Empa’s growing HPC and research software engineering land-scape. Your Main Responsibilities Serve as the central liaison between Empa scientists and internal/external HPC resources Onboard new users to supercomputing platforms and support them with best practices Assist researchers in running and optimizing scientific applications on HPC systems. For example: port and improve software (MPI, OpenMP, containerization) for large-scale computation; troubleshoot issues across the full workflow, from compilation errors to running jobs Manage computing allocations, prepare usage reports, and ensure transparent, fair and efficient usage of shared compute resources Contribute to scientific IT trainings (Python, Git, HPC workflows, etc.) Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field by participating to conferences and community events Your profile Master's degree in computer science or an equivalent technical or scientific background required. A PhD is a plus Strong HPC experience is mandatory. Parallel programming (MPI, OpenMP) and GPU computing (e.g., CUDA, OpenACC) are great added values Solid programming skills especially in Python and C/C++ CI/CD workflows with GitHub/Gitlab Solid working knowledge of Linux (terminal workflows, basic sysadmin tasks) A background in software development and engineering is preferred (e.g., testing, de-ployment, containerization) Knowledge of German or willingness to learn is considered an advantage Our offer A dynamic scientific environment at the intersection of research and digital science Close collaboration with researchers working on impactful and interdisciplinary projects Opportunities for professional development in HPC, RSE, and scientific computing A supportive, friendly, and highly skilled Scientific IT team Flexibility, autonomy and the chance to shape the future of Empa’s HPC and research software engineering services We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. Nadja Nenzi , Bereichspersonalleiterin / Berufsbildungskoordinatorin Questions? Dr. Luca De Michielis Head of Scientific IT ICT-Services Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Teilen Jetzt bewerben Materialwissenschaft und Technologie sind unsere Leidenschaft. Mit unserer Spitzenforschung leisten die rund 1'100 Mitarbeitenden der Empa entscheidende Beiträge zum Wohle der Gesellschaft für eine lebenswerte Zukunft. Die Empa ist eine Forschungsinstitution des ETH-Bereichs. Für unsere Abteilung Akustik / Lärmminderung suchen wir Verstärkung in der Gruppe Umweltakustik. Forschungsbereich Diese neue Stelle ist Teil des startenden Forschungsprojekts "Auralisation of Railway noise in Switzerland" (ARCH), welches von der Empa im Auftrag des Bundesamts für Verkehr (BAV) und des Bundesamts für Umwelt (BAFU) durchgeführt wird. Das Ziel von ARCH ist die Erstellung von akustischen Simulationen und Visualisierungen, um Lärmschutz im Bahnbereich in der Schweiz besser kommunizieren zu können und intuitiv erfahrbar zu machen. Ihre Aufgaben Tragende Rolle in einem zweijährigen Forschungsprojekt zur künstlichen Hörbarmachung (Auralisierung) von Bahnlärm in der Schweiz Weiterentwicklung von in-house Simulationsmodellen aus dem EU-Projekt SILVARSTAR und Erstellen von audio-visuellen Demonstrationen für den Schweizer Kontext Kommunikation mit Behörden und Stakeholdern Pflege des Wissenstransfers innerhalb der Abteilung und der Empa Präsentation von technisch-wissenschaftlichen Ergebnissen durch Publikationen und Vorträge Ihr Profil Abgeschlossenes naturwissenschaftlich-technisches Hochschulstudium oder Doktorat Selbständige initiative Persönlichkeit mit rascher Auffassungsgabe und gründlicher Arbeitsweise Vertiefte Kenntnisse im Bereich Akustik, Audiosignalverarbeitung, Programmierung (Matlab, C#) und Datenanalyse Kenntnisse zu Bahnlärm und Erfahrung mit der Game Engine Unity sind von Vorteil E rfahrung in schriftlicher Berichterstattung und Vorträgen Sehr gute mündliche und schriftliche Kenntnisse in Deutsch und Englisch Unser Angebot Wir bieten eine vielseitige Herausforderung in einem modernen, lebendigen und innovativen Forschungsumfeld mit internationalem Flair in der Agglomeration Zürich. Diese Stelle ist vorerst auf zwei Jahre befristet. «a» steht in unseren Stelleninseraten für «alle». Wir leben eine Kultur der Inklusion und des Respekts. Bei uns sind alle Menschen willkommen, die Lust auf innovative, nachhaltige und sinnstiftende Tätigkeiten haben - nur das zählt. Wir freuen uns auf Ihre vollständige Online-Bewerbung inkl. Motivationsschreiben, Lebenslauf, Zeugnisse, Diplome und Kontaktdaten von zwei Referenzpersonen. Bitte reichen Sie diese ausschliesslich über unser Bewerbungsportal ein. Bewerbungen per E-Mail sowie auf dem Postweg werden nicht berücksichtigt. David Heusser , Bereichspersonalleiter / HR Partner Fragen? Dr. Reto Pieren Gruppenleiter Akustik / Lärmminderung +41 58 765 6031 https://www.empa.ch/web/s509 Ihr zukünftiger Arbeitsort Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Die Empa als Arbeitgeberin Innovative, nachhaltige, sinnstiftende Tätigkeiten Mehrwert schaffen für die Gesellschaft Internationale, multikulturelle Arbeitswelt Gestaltungs- und Entwicklungsfreiraum Kultur der Inklusion und des Respekts Ausgezeichnete Vereinbarkeit verschiedener Lebensbereiche Mehrfach prämierte und zertifizierte Arbeitgeberin Vergünstigungen für Bahn, Mobile, Kinderbetreuung, Verpflegung, uvm. Gut zu wissen Empa-Webseite Arbeiten in der Schweiz Anstellungsprozess Anstellungsbedingungen Jetzt bewerben

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. The position will be in the research group Reactors and Processes for Power-to-X, which is part of the Chemical Energy Carriers and Vehicle Systems laboratory at Empa. The group focuses on developing novel reactor and process concepts along the value chain of carbon capture and utilization and on integrating them into a net-zero energy system. Your tasks Conceptualization, construction, installation, and operation of test setups for catalytic reactors and process technology Conceptualization, implementation, and programming of electronic controls Responsible for laboratory equipment, analytical devices, service and repairs Support in operation of the Power-to-X demonstrator 'move' Your profile Education as laboratory technician for chemistry, physics or equivalent or mechanical engineer/automation engineer/mechatronics (FH, HS, HF, or equivalent) Hands-on experience in construction, installation, and maintenance of laboratory equipment Experience in laboratory gas technology, chemical reactors, separation processes or equivalent Highly motivated team player interested in new technologies and good manual skills Our offer The position is limited to 2 years with the potential for extension.We are an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and students focussing on new, exciting technologies for a sustainable future. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. David Heusser , HR Partner Questions? Dr. Florian Kiefer Group leader Chemical Energy Carriers and Vehicle Systems Laboratory +41 58 765 4172 https://www.empa.ch/web/s504/reactors-and-processes-for-power-to-x Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. The positions will be in the research group Reactors and Processes for Power-to-X, which is part of the Chemical Energy Carriers and Vehicle Systems laboratory at Empa. The group focuses on developing novel reactor and process concepts along the value chain of carbon capture and utilization, and on integrating them into a net-zero energy system. The work will contribute to the NCCR Separations . Your tasks Development of an advanced testing infrastructure for sorbents and processes in DAC: Planning, design and implementation of novel infrastructure Characterization of DAC sorbents under process conditions and optimization of processes Integration of the infrastructure in a multi-institutional center for separation technologies Development of novel monoliths and processes for energy efficient separation: Development of novel structuring approaches Manufacturing and characterization of monoliths Geometry and process optimization Both positions will be responsible for the project collaboration and administration within their field, scientific publications, as well as collaboration with academic and industrial partners. Your profile PhD in relevant field: Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry Full proficiency in written and spoken English Demonstrated experience in two or more of the following areas: Material synthesis and upscaling Characterization of sorbents Modeling of sorbents and adsorption processes Development of experimental methods or analytical techniques Our offer The positions will contribute to the NCCR Separations starting in May 2026 with a total duration of four years, split into two fixed-term employments of two years. You will work in a multi-disciplinary environment with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment at Empa in strong collaboration with groups at ETH Zurich, EPFL and other Swiss and international institutes. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. David Heusser , HR Partner Questions? Dr. Florian Kiefer Group Leader Chemical Energy Carriers and Vehicle Systems Laboratory +41 58 765 4172 https://www.empa.ch/web/s504/reactors-and-processes-for-power-to-x Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. Our analytics center offers attractive chemical-analytical services for internal and external clients. In addition, we conduct sophisticated research projects in the field of analytics and maintain an extensive network with universities, research institutes, industry partners, and federal authorities – both nationally and internationally. The training of laboratory technicians specializing in chemistry is also based in the analytical center. Your tasks Development of a measurement cell for the online detection of transition metal ions, fluorides, and hydrofluoric acid in the electrolyte of lithium-ion batteries, as well as investigating the potential adsorption behavior of transition metals on the negative electrode Development of an online measurement approach integrating ICP MS, ion selective electrode sensing, and ion chromatography to analyze the release of transition metal ions from the cathode into the electrolyte, as well as the formation of fluoride and hydrofluoric acid species during battery operation Coupling of the individual online measurement techniques and development of an appropriate control procedure Maintenance of processing and characterization equipment related to battery research Close collaboration with a team of chemists, materials scientists, and analytical experts Integration of functionalized separators developed by project partners into full cells Support in supervising students (PhD, master’s, bachelor’s, interns, etc.) Support for internal and external researchers (equipment, processes, expertise, etc.) Writing scientific publications in peer reviewed journals Presenting at national and international conferences Contributing to project deliverables, milestones, and reports Contributing to future projects Your profile Bachelor’s/Master’s and PhD in Chemistry preferred Optional Bachelor’s/Master’s and PhD in related disciplines such as Materials Science Background in analytical chemistry, battery research, and/or electrochemistry preferred Enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team and motivated to publish impactful research results Good command of English, spoken and written, required; basic German is an advantage Our offer We offer an international and highly stimulating research environment with state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure for analytical chemistry research. Our laboratories are equipped with a comprehensive suite of analytical techniques, including, ICP‑MS and ICP‑OES for precise elemental analysis, advanced digestion methods for sample preparation, LA‑ICP‑MS for spatially resolved elemental mapping, ion chromatography for detailed analysis of ionic species and a broad range of inorganic analytical methods to support fundamental and applied battery research. This unique combination of expertise and instrumentation enables cutting-edge investigations of battery materials, interfaces, and degradation mechanisms. The starting date is May 2026 or upon mutual agreement, and the employment contract is limited to two years. The lab is located at Empa's main campus in Dübendorf, which is conveniently located next to Zurich, Switzerland. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a one-page letter of motivation, CV, publication list, diplomas with transcripts and preferably two reference letters or contact details of two referees. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. David Heusser , HR Partner Questions? Adrian Wichser Analytical Center +41 58 765 4647 https://www.empa.ch/web/s510 Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. Our Laboratory for Computational Engineering in Dübendorf is offering a position for two motivated doctoral students. Your tasks Amorphous materials play a key role in sustainable catalysis and energy conversion , but their disordered atomic structure makes them difficult to study and predict. In this four-year SNF-funded project , you will develop data-driven, multiscale simulation methods that combine computer simulations, machine learning, and surrogate models to explore how local atomic structures influence material properties and catalytic behavior. You will gain experience in cutting-edge computational methods , contribute to a predictive understanding of disordered materials , and work on applications such as CO₂ conversion , helping to advance sustainable chemical processes. Beyond learning, you will have the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries and generate new scientific knowledge at the forefront of materials science, machine learning, and catalysis. This is an exciting opportunity to tackle a fundamental scientific challenge while developing skills that will shape your research career. Your profile We are looking for 2 highly motivated PhD students with a strong analytical background and an MSc degree in Physics, Computational Chemistry, Materials Science, Computer Science, or a related disciplines. The candidates should have: A solid theoretical background in their field Strong programming skills and experience with numerical method s. Proven experience in machine learning and data-driven modelin g. Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team. Excellent command of English , both written and spoken. Previous experience in atomistic simulations and catalysis is an advantage. Our offer We offer a stimulating, multidisciplinary research environment within the ETH Domain, where communication and interaction to create synergies and develop novel ideas are highly valued. PhD students will have access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure , benefit from i nternationally competitive employment conditions , and receive strong support for personal and professional development . The PhD students will be enrolled in the ETH Zürich doctoral program . The position is available from April 1st 2026 or upon agreement. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. Patricia Nitzsche , Stv. Leiterin Human Resources / Dep. Head Human Resources Questions? Dr Ivan Lunati Head of Laboratory Computational Engineering https://www.empa.ch/web/s305 Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. The Laboratory Chemical Energy Carriers and Vehicle Systems Laboratory conducts, develops and optimizes processes for renewable fuels. The group “Hydrogen Spectroscopy” is further involved in hydrogen science & technology for novel energy storage technologies such as power-to-gas. The aim of the project SHARC is to develop an instrument that can perform quantitative hydrogen analysis using electron spectroscopy. Main task of the PhD student is to establish the scientific basis for high-resolution electron recoil spectroscopy for surface hydrogen analysis. Your tasks The main experimental activities include Working with Ultra-high vacuum technology (UHV) and surface techniques for preparation and analysis of surfaces Conducting and evaluation of electron spectroscopy experiments Modelling of experimental data Your profile The position is immediately available for a candidate with a master's degree (or equivalent) preferably in physics, physical chemistry or materials science. Experience in surface science and hydrogen technology is of advantage. The ideal candidate has an independent, target- and solution-driven work attitude, inter- and multidisciplinary thinking & strong motivation and interest to join an ambitious interdisciplinary research team with integrative and cooperative personality. Excellent English knowledge (written and oral) is required, German is an advantage. Our offer We offer an interesting research environment with excellent infrastructure and broad interdisciplinary surrounding. The PhD-student will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Chemical and Molecular Sciences Zurich. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a short statement of research interests, CV including a list of publications and names and contact details of two references. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. David Heusser , HR Partner Questions? PD Dr. Andreas Borgschulte Group leader Chemical Energy Carriers and Vehicle Systems Laboratory +41 58 765 4639 https://www.empa.ch/web/s504 Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. The Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics is known for its innovative research in the field of thin-film photovoltaic technologies. We are looking for a motivated PhD student to explore the muon spin spectroscopy for perovskite solar cells research. This position is part of Muoniverse, a Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) dedicated to advancing muon science across particle physics, quantum materials, and applications ranging from energy research to cultural heritage. Muoniverse brings together 30 research teams from universities, research institutions, and museums in a highly collaborative network, supported by the Muoniverse Research School, which coordinates training, exchanges, and career development for PhD students and postdocs. Learn more at https://www.muoniverse.ch/ . Muoniverse positions often serve as bridges between individual research groups and institutions, supported through dedicated measures. We are seeking candidates who thrive in such collaborative environments, enjoy connecting people and ideas across disciplines, and are comfortable working within networked structures. Your ability to contribute to a culture of openness and shared progress is as important as your technical expertise. Your tasks Deposit perovskite absorbers and passivation layers with vacuum-based methods Develop novel in-situ/in-operando characterizations (including muon spectroscopy) to investigate defect dynamics and ion migration across different interfaces in perovskite solar cells Conduct in-depth analysis of loss mechanisms to understand the limitation factors and develop mitigation strategies to improve the performance of perovskite single-junction and tandem solar cells Responsibility about given fabrication and characterization equipment Co-supervision of undergraduate students Your profile Master degree in Material science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or related fields Willingness to conduct independent, interdisciplinary research in the field of perovskite semiconductors Experience in semiconductor physics, PVD thin-film deposition, optical characterization methods, and advanced data analysis are advantageous Ability to work in a collaborative team environment towards a common goal Proficient English is required Our offer The starting date is Autum 2026 or upon mutual agreement. The work will primarily be carried out at Empa in Dübendorf and should eventually lead to a PhD degree from EPFL. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. Cristina Marinoni , Bereichspersonalleiterin / HR Partner Questions? Dr Fan Fu Scientific Group Leader Thin Films and Photovoltaics https://www.empa.ch/web/s207 Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. Our group of Biosensing and Functional Surfaces focuses on the studying the role of protein aggregation in dementia progression using nanoscale analytics. To this end, we will combine high resolution scanning probe microscopy with fluorescence imaging to study amyloid and tau proteins in biofluids from patients to identify those at risk of developing a specific subtype of dementia. Your tasks This interdisciplinary PhD project combines atomic force microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, chemical spectroscopy, biophysics and data analytics. The PhD student will be required to conduct experiments in the field of biophysics using nanoscale imaging techniques (atomic force microscopy) and chemical spectroscopy (fluorescence imaging and infrared spectroscopy) based analytics of proteins implicated in dementia and related pathologies. The results from these studies will be prepared as manuscripts and submitted to peer reviewed journals for publication. As part of the PhD research project the student will be required to attend conferences to present the scientific results. Your profile For this project we seek a highly motivated candidate with a background in biophysics and keen interest for bio-imaging. Completed Master`s degree in molecular/structural biology or biophysics. An outstanding academic record. Previous experience in protein imaging using atomic force microscopy or fluorescence microscopy is required. Excellent communication and English language skills. Our offer This project is supported by Empa and will be conducted at Empa Dubendorf in collaboration with clinicians at Inselspital Bern. The successful candidate will participate in scientific collaborations within Empa and work in an international and multidisciplinary environment. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. Patricia Nitzsche , Stv. Leiterin Human Resources / Dep. Head Human Resources Questions? Dr Peter Nirmalraj Group Leader Transport at Nanoscale Interfaces Laboratory https://www.empa.ch/web/s405/biosensing Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. The Coating Technologies Group in Empa's Laboratory for Surface Science & Coating Technologies performs physical vapor deposition (PVD) of innovative thin films for emerging technologies. By combining state of the art physical vapor deposition, high throughput experimentation and data science, we develop thin films with enhanced performance and discover entirely new functional materials. ( www.empa.ch/ct ). The project Piezoelectric materials are essential building blocks of many technologies we use every day. They power the frequency filters for 5G and WiFi communication and provide accurate motion and sensing at the smallest length scales. The growing need for highly integrated micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) necessitates the development of novel piezoelectric thin films. This research project focuses on the development of piezoelectric nitrides (e.g. AlScN) using reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS). The project will make use of a unique laboratory which combines state-of-the-art physical vapor deposition with surface analysis and closed-loop autonomous experimentation. The goals of the project are to develop highly efficient piezoelectric thin films, but also to leverage large data sets to improve our fundamental understanding of the synthesis-structure-property relationships in these polar nitride materials. This is an exciting project at the intersection of materials science, physics and data science, offering ample opportunities for growth and professional development. Your profile You have a master’s degree in physics, materials science, electrical engineering or a related discipline with hands-on experience in thin film deposition and UHV technology. Prior experience or knowledge in the following areas is a clear advantage: materials science, piezoelectric/ferroelectric materials, semiconductors, sputter deposition, materials' charac-terization (especially XRD, XPS and/or SEM/TEM), lab automation, data science, python. The ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary research environment is essential. Personal initiative, ability to work systematically, reliability, responsibility, teamwork and communication skills are a must. Excellent knowledge of English (oral and written) is mandatory. German is an advantage, but not required. Our offer A stimulating, international and collaborative research environment at a leading research institution with an excellent infrastructure and a broad interdisciplinary surrounding. The fully funded 4-year PhD position will be held in collaboration with ETH Zürich. The candidate will work on the Empa Campus in Dübendorf and will be enrolled in the doctoral program of ETH Zürich. The position is available from 1st July 2026 (or later upon agreement). We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. Cristina Marinoni , Bereichspersonalleiterin / HR Partner Questions? Dr. Sebastian Siol Group Leader Laboratory of Surface Science & Coating Technologies https://www.empa.ch/web/s208 Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. The Laboratory for Air Pollution / Environmental Technology focuses on the emissions, transport, and fate of anthropogenic air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Our research provides the scientific ground for most effectively reducing their impact by assessing and driving technical solutions supporting emission reduction, and by guiding decision makers in the field of environmental politics. Emissions of methane (CH4), one of the most powerful greenhouse gases, will have to be mitigated drastically to meet the 1.5°C target of the Paris agreement. While setting policy targets is important, reaching these targets and verifying that they are met takes a substantial joint effort and commitment. We aim for atmospheric monitoring of CH4 emissions and co-emitted species, i.e. stable isotopes, ethane and other VOCs, of oil and gas facilities and the waste sector in Romania to support industry and authorities in implementing corrective actions. As part of the collaborative Swiss-Romanian project, East European Methane Study (EEMS), we are looking for a highly motivated chemist, physicist or environmental scientist with strong interest and skills in analytics, automation and data analysis. Your tasks Monitor CH4 concentrations, isotopic composition as well as co-emitted species in several campaigns in Romania by laser spectroscopy (e.g. CRDS). Operation of an ICOS flask autosampler for VOC analyses. Installation, operation, and maintenance of the analytics and metrological measurements. Automation of measurement and calibration routines, data evaluation and quality control. Communicate results in project reports and at meetings. Required skills MSc degree in chemistry, physics, environmental science or a related discipline. Strong skills in analytics / atmospheric monitoring of greenhouse gases and interest in automated setups and field work. Knowledge of scientific data analysis (e.g. Python, MATLAB or R). Good verbal and written communication skills in German and English. Self-responsibility and willingness for open communication and committed teamwork. Willingness for regular travel to Romania and interest in collaboration / exchange with local research partners. Our offer We are a dynamic research team, dedicated to advancing the use of laser spectroscopy to address environmentally relevant and health related research questions. We are offering a multifaceted and challenging position for 3 years in a modern research environment with excellent infrastructure. The appointment will start preferably by mid 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling base until the position is filled. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, transcripts of diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. David Heusser , HR Partner Questions? Dr. Joachim Mohn Group Leader Air Pollution / Environmental Technology +41 58 765 4687 https://www.empa.ch/web/s503/emissions-and-isotopes Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. Are you a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in bitumen chemomechanics, eager to work on the future of sustainable road pavements? Your tasks You will work on projects related to the future of sustainable asphalt pavements, including binder aging reduction, development of alternative binders, developing bitumen emulsions, and working on binder recycling. In addition to the technical work, you will be required to manage research projects, adhere to project plans, collaborate with research partners, engage with stakeholders, and report to the project funding agencies. You will have the opportunity to contribute to international forums and apply for new research grants. You will become a part of an ambitious, goaloriented team while having a high degree of independence. Your profile A PhD degree in Chemical engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field, as well as strong management and communication skills are required. The tasks will require a high degree of innovativeness in binder research, including mastery of asphalt binder chemical and mechanical characterization, production process optimization while consid-ering scalability and material availability. A knowledge of the asphalt mechanical perfor-mance and pavement design concepts will be considered an advantage. We are looking for a highly motivated team player who is curious to learn new things, is self-motivated, and has excellent English communication and writing skills. Knowledge of German language will be considered an advantage. Our offer You will be working in a dynamic, multi-cultural environment where creative ideas, dedication, and personal initiative are rewarded. Empa offers outstanding infrastructure, a broad interdisciplinary environment and competitive salaries. We are passionate about what we do and want to make a real-world impact with our research. The position is available for two years with potential for prolongation. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. Patricia Nitzsche , Stv. Leiterin Human Resources / Dep. Head Human Resources Questions? Dr Martins Zaumanis Groupleader Bituminous Materials Laboratory Concrete & Asphalt https://www.empa.ch/web/s308 Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. Empa’s Laboratory Materials for Energy Conversion focuses on materials and device innovation for sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies. Your tasks The research project focuses on understanding the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 into sustainable products. Your task will include: Assemble and validate modular electrocatalytic reactors and analysis methods for realistic CO2 electrocatalysis, with a focus on parallel investigations and accelerated aging. Dissect degradation processes of CO2 electroreduction catalyst, electrodes, and ionomer membranes under diverse real-world operating conditions, using operando electrochemical and spectroscopic methods. Lead synchrotron campaigns aiming at unveiling the degradation mechanism of catalysts, electrodes, and ionomer membranes with high time resolution, operando x-ray measurements. Develop electrode architecture and catalyst/electrode modification strategies for enhanced durability, using different fabrication methods. This postdoc position is part of an international collaborative project involving several academic and industrial partners. Your profile We are looking for a highly motivated team player who thrives in a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment. The ideal candidate possesses a PhD degree in chemistry or chemical engineering, materials science, physics, or related discipline. As this project is a cutting-edge research activity beyond the current state-of-the-art in electrocatalysis, we are looking for someone creative, curious, highly motivated, and with excellent problem-solving and technical skills. Prior experience in electrochemistry and/or catalysis is a strong advantage. The successful candidate will be expected to work independently in the lab while collaborating and communicating effectively with our multidisciplinary team. Our offer You will join a dynamic young international research group working in a brand new laboratory building located at Empa’s campus in Dübendorf near downtown Zürich. In addition to our state-of-the-art electrocatalysis facilities encompassing catalyst and electrode synthesis, parallel electrochemical characterizations and comprehensive gas and liquid analytics, the lab owns and operates a large array of instruments including X-ray diffractometers, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared and Raman spectrometers, and argon ion mills and electron microscopes. The position is closely connected to two national research initiatives focusing on the synthesis of sustainable fuels and chemicals providing many opportunities to interact with a large and high-profile network that includes members of both academia and industry. Empa is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from female researchers and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. We believe diversity drives innovation and scientific excellence. Join us in contributing to groundbreaking research in sustainable energy technologies! We look forward to receiving your online application including a two-page motivation letter, CV, scholarly records, diplomas with transcripts, and at least two reference letters. Only complete applications will be considered. Please upload all documents through our webpage, applications via E-mail cannot be accepted. David Heusser , HR Partner Questions? Dr. Alessandro Senocrate Materials for Energy Conversion +41 58 765 4148 https://www.empa.ch/web/s501 Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. Empa’s Laboratory Materials for Energy Conversion focuses on materials and device innovation for sustainable energy technologies. Your tasks This PhD project aims to develop hydroborate-based all-solid-state batteries. A central objective is to achieve a deep, mechanistic understanding of the processes that govern electrochemical performance and cycling stability. Your research will focus on elucidating and engineering interfaces between electrolyte and cathode materials. Tasks include electrolyte synthesis, detailed (electro-)chemical characterization, and advanced bulk and interfacial characterization – including muon-based techniques – to identify reaction pathways and degradation mechanisms. You will also contribute to cathode formulation and processing with an emphasis on interfacial stability and transport to enable high energy and power density. Your profile You hold a Master’s degree in chemistry, materials science, or a related field, experience in electrochemistry or batteries is an advantage. Excellent English skills are required. Our offer You will conduct your work in state-of-the-art battery laboratories in Empa’s new laboratory building in Dübendorf and will be enrolled in the electrical engineering doctoral program at ETH Zurich. The project is embedded in the National Competence Center for Research Muoniverse and funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Muoniverse connects over 30 research teams and provides comprehensive training, exchange opportunities, and career development through its Research School. As positions serve as bridges between groups, we seek candidates who enjoy interdisciplinary collaboration and value openness and shared progress. Muoniverse is committed to equal opportunities, diversity, and an inclusive research culture. You will independently carry out experiments, including muon-beamline studies, collaborate with Muoniverse partners, and disseminate your results through publications and presentations. Our laboratories offer a full suite of advanced battery materials synthesis and characterization infrastructure, including multiple gloveboxes, controlled-atmosphere furnaces, high-energy ball mills, DSC-TG-MS, Raman, FT-IR, XPS, XRD, SEM and more than 1200 battery cycling channels. Start date is July 1st, 2026 or upon agreement. Empa is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from female researchers and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. We believe diversity drives innovation and scientific excellence. Join us in contributing to groundbreaking research in sustainable energy technologies! We look forward to receiving your online application including a two-page motivation letter, CV, scholarly records, diplomas with transcripts, and at least two reference letters. Only complete applications will be considered. Please upload all documents through our webpage, applications via E-mail cannot be accepted. David Heusser , HR Partner Questions? PD Dr. Arndt Remhof Group leader Materials for Energy Conversion +41 58 765 4369 https://www.empa.ch/web/s501 Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. Our U rban Energy Systems Laboratory (UESL) develops strategies and methods to support the creation of decarbonized, resilient, and equitable energy systems. Empa collaborates with the Federal Office for Defence Procurement, armasuisse, to assess and optimize the energy supply security for a defence relevant site in Switzerland. A particular focus lies on the fuel supply for aviation. Your tasks Build a sector coupled energy system model in collaboration with armasuisse and the site representatives Integrating fuel synthesis technologies and supply chains into the energy system model Assess the energy system towards different metrics and optimization objectives such as cost, CO2 emissions, self-sufficiency and autonomy Coordinate the developments with the project manager Present the results internally and externally Your profile We seek a highly motivated and dedicated scientist or experienced professional with a PhD in mechanical or chemical engineering, or an equivalent qualification in a related field. The ideal candidate possess profound interdisciplinary knowledge of the ongoing energy transition, with specific expertise in optimization methods and energy system modeling. Key qualifications include: Experience in energy system modeling and optimization Familiarity with optimization methods, such as Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) A strong track record of relevant publications Excellent English skills, along with proficiency in at least one Swiss national language (German, French, Italian, or Romansh). Ideally, the candidate also: Has worked in or with the defence sector Has programming experience in Python and Pyomo Due to the position’s close collaboration with the Swiss defence industry and the armed forces, preference will be given to applicants who are currently based in Switzerland and/or who hold Swiss, EU, or EFTA citizenship. Our offer A stimulating, and interdisciplinary research environment with excellent infrastructure and opportunities for personal and professional growth. An exiting project tackling critical questions of the energy transition in a changing geo-political context The possibility to start immediately We foster a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. Patricia Nitzsche , Stv. Leiterin Human Resources / Dep. Head Human Resources Questions? Dr Robin Mutschler Group Leader Macro-Energy Systems Urban Energy Systems Laboratory https://www.empa.ch/web/s313 Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now

Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain. The Urban Energy Systems Laboratory (UESL) pioneers strategies, solutions, and methods to support the development of sustainable, resilient, and equitable urban energy systems. Our work combines technology and policy with systems thinking and practical implementation, always grounded in real-world urban challenges. This PhD position is offered in collaboration with the Intelligent Maintenance and Operations Systems (IMOS) Laboratory at EPFL (Prof. Olga Fink). IMOS focuses on the development of intelligent algorithms designed to improve the performance, reliability, and availability of complex industrial systems while making maintenance strategies more cost-efficient. Together, UESL and IMOS are seeking a motivated and qualified PhD candidate to advance the use of hierarchical graph neural networks for modeling multi-scale urban energy systems. By combining advances in Physics-Informed Machine Learning (PIML) and Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) with real-world energy applications, the project aims to better capture the dynamics of urban infrastructures across different spatial and temporal scales, from building-level energy demand to district-scale interactions and their integration with wider energy networks. Your tasks The focus of this research is to design and develop (physics-informed) hierarchical graph neural network architectures that can capture the complexity of multi-scale urban energy infrastructures. The PhD will explore how these models can represent spatial and temporal dependencies in systems, such as building energy demand, district heating and cooling, storage, and local electricity grids. A key goal is to translate methodological innovations in deep learning into practical tools for sustainable urban energy systems, supporting applications in forecasting, system optimization, flexibility management, and resilience analysis. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with our interdisciplinary teams at both Empa and EPFL, as well as external academic and industry partners. Your profile You are a highly motivated and talented candidate with a Master’s degree in Engineering, Control, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field. You bring a strong analytical background and are proficient in areas like geometric deep learning, signal processing, statistics, or learning theory. Knowledge of energy systems, multi-energy infrastructures, or urban energy applications is a strong asset. You are self-driven, creative, and bring strong problem-solving skills as well as the ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment. Proficiency in English (spoken and written) is required; good comprehension and oral skills in German are desirable. Our offer We offer a multifaceted and challenging PhD position in a modern research environment with excellent infrastructure. The candidate will benefit from joint supervision by Prof. Olga Fink (EPFL IMOS) and the UESL team at Empa, combining cutting-edge expertise in machine learning and energy system modeling with strong ties to academic and industry partners. The PhD is intended to be formally enrolled at EPFL. The ideal starting date is June 2026, or upon mutual agreement. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, an up-to-date CV, transcripts of all obtained degrees (in English), a brief research statement (one page) describing your project idea in the field of physics-informed deep learning algorithms, one publication (e.g. MSc thesis or preferably a conference/journal publication, link is sufficient). Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered. Patricia Nitzsche , Stv. Leiterin Human Resources / Dep. Head Human Resources Questions? Dr Georgios Mavromatidis Head of Laboratory Urban Energy Systems https://uesl.empa.ch Your future place of work Empa Ueberlandstrasse 129 8600 Dübendorf Empa as an employer Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc. Good to know Empa website Working in Switzerland Employment process Conditions of employment Apply now