EMPA

Die Schulung von Mitarbeitenden in einem Forschungsinstitut ist, bei den systembedingt sehr häufigen Personalwechseln, ein zentraler Bestandteil des Sicherheitsdispositivs. Sie unterstützen deshalb für ein Jahr, mit einer Option auf eine Verlängerung, das Risk Management der Empa bei der Erarbeitung eines Schulungskonzeptes, dem Aufbau einer Serie von Web Based Trainings auf unterschiedlichen Anwenderniveaus gemeinsam mit den Fachexperten, sowie Präsenzschulungen für unterschiedliche Gefahrenbereiche. Ihre didaktischen und kreativen Fähigkeiten, ihr Organisationstalent, sowie ihre kommunikativen und sprachlichen Stärken (d/e) kommen dabei voll zum Tragen. Im Rahmen dieser Tätigkeit prägen sie den Umgang mit diversen internen und externen Stakeholdern. Ihr Profil

Supported by your supervisors, you will take a leading role in shaping and executing the research project. You will be encouraged to develop independent scientific ideas, propose new concepts, and test them experimentally.Your responsibilities will include:Designing and executing synthesis strategies and systematic parameter studiesInvestigating polymerization mechanisms, solvent effects, and structure formation processesApplying and interpreting advanced materials characterization techniquesCoordinating project activities and interacting with academic and industrial partnersSupervising intern students or student researchers contributing to the projectHosting visiting researchers from partner organizationsCompiling, analyzing, and critically interpreting experimental dataContributing to patent applications with support from the teamLeading scientific publications and presenting results at international conferencesOccasional travel to the industry partner in Asia for information exchangeConducting doctoral coursework at a Swiss university Successfully completing the Ph.D. mid-term evaluation and doctoral defense Your profile

You will work in collaboration with a postdoctoral researcher/scientist mainly on: Design and manufacturing of SMA Z-pinned FRPs SMA activation and micromechanical modeling Progressive damage modeling of reinforced FRPs Mechanical characterization and fracture experiments Complete a PhD thesis at ETHZ Your profile

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

The student will be involved in tasks such asDesigning innovative electrode materials with precisely engineered nanostructures;Fabricating the electrode materials using micro-nanofabrication technologies;Investigating the electrochemical mechanisms for sensing and catalytic applications;Developing applications in pollution mitigation and resource recovery. Additionally, our group performs research on nanomaterial engineering, micro-optics and microfluidics, which provides a wide range of opportunities for the PhD candidate. Your profile

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

Tragende Rolle in einem zweijährigen Forschungsprojekt zur künstlichen Hörbarmachung (Auralisierung) von Bahnlärm in der SchweizWeiterentwicklung von in-house Simulationsmodellen aus dem EU-Projekt SILVARSTAR und Erstellen von audio-visuellen Demonstrationen für den Schweizer KontextKommunikation mit Behörden und StakeholdernPflege des Wissenstransfers innerhalb der Abteilung und der EmpaPräsentation von technisch-wissenschaftlichen Ergebnissen durch Publikationen und Vorträge Ihr Profil

Die Aufgabe der Konstruktion ist es, in enger Zusammenarbeit mit den internen Forschungspartnern Lösungsansätze und Konzepte für Prototypen zu entwickeln, diese auszuarbeiten und gemeinsam mit den Werkstätten umzusetzen. Hauptsächlich konzipieren, berechnen und konstruieren Sie eigenständig Forschungsvorrichtungen und –anlagen aller Art. Sie sind die Ansprechperson für die interne Kundschaft bei der Auftragsannahme. Ihr Aufgabenfeld beinhaltet im Weiteren die Organisation, Koordination und Überwachung der Projekte sowie die Unterstützung des Teams, welches Sie persönlich und fachlich führen. Ihr Profil

Optimizing vehicle aerodynamics to reduce transportation emissions, understanding airborne disease transmission, and predicting climate-related transport phenomena all require precise knowledge of fluid flow dynamics. Advanced experimental methods such as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and 3D Lagrangian Particle Tracking (LPT) provide crucial insights. In this project, you will contribute to the development of AI-driven methodologies for experimental fluid mechanics, focusing on: Designing multi-fidelity neural networks for adaptive flow reconstruction, enabling both real-time coarse diagnostics and high-fidelity offline velocity field estimation. Developing reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms for a multi-agent robotics system that autonomously optimizes 3D velocimetry measurements by dynamically adjusting camera positions and optical parameters. Integrating the framework within a digital twin environment for pre-training and simulation-based optimization, enabling autonomous measurement campaigns and real-time data assimilation.This research combines fluid mechanics, artificial intelligence, and robotics to establish the foundation for the next generation of autonomous experimental diagnostics in complex flow environments. Your profile

Exploring commercial SiC ceramic powder and sintering additivesDevelopment of SiC thermoplastic feedstocks for FDM printingProgramming of an existing hybrid FDM printing machine, including printing and milling devicesModelling and optimization of the debinding processSimulation-based design of mechanical metamaterials to achieve high specific stiffness and strength, energy dissipation, and damage resistanceMorphological, microstructural, and mechanical characterization of the 3D printed metamaterials Your profile

Supported by the project management, you will take a leading role in shaping and executing the innovation project. Within the framework of an innovation project with well-defined objectives, you will be encouraged to develop independent ideas, propose new concepts, and test them experimentally. The role is ideally suited for somebody that is excited by the prospect to develop real-world applications and/or aims to transition from academic research to industry R&D, rather than for somebody that aims to stay on a purely academic track.Your responsibilities will include: Help coordinate project activities in close interactions with industrial project partners Supervise intern students contributing to the project Design and execute aerogel synthesis strategies and systematic parameter studies Investigate effects of sol density, and precursor and substrate selection on aerogel and aerogel-composite properties Characterize aerogel and aerogel composites Compile, analyze, and critically interpret experimental data Contribute to patent applications with support from the team For up to 20% of your time, contribute to or lead scientific research lines adjacent to the project scope and contribute to scientific publication of the results Your profile

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

As an inspiring and visionary research leader, you will be responsible for the strategic and operational management of the laboratory. Your main tasks will include: Defining and implementing the strategic direction of this highly interdisciplinary laboratory to address key scientific and societal challenges. Securing fundamental research funding (e.g., from the SNSF or the EU) and applied research projects supported by Innosuisse, federal agencies, and industrial partners. Leading and mentoring a diverse team of approximately 30–35 employees, including scientists, group leaders, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and technical staff. Expanding and cultivating a strong national and international network with academic and industry partners, and actively representing the laboratory at scientific events and in professional committees. Promoting knowledge transfer through university-level teaching, high-impact publications, and engagement with industry. Your profile

Strategic and operational leadership of the joint library Lib4RI, including personnel, organizational, and professional responsibility for approximately 20 staff members Conceptual responsibility for the strategic development of the library, particularly the proactive design of library services in the context of technological developments and changes in scholarly publishingPromotion of an open and collaborative work culture through targeted staff development and active support for change processes Responsibility for the library budget, including planning, management and control, as well as ensuring the efficient and cost-effective use of resources Advising the management of the four Research Institutes on scientific publishing and developing appropriate policies Support of the Lib4RI Steering Committee through expert input, meeting preparation, and annual reporting to the committee Implementation and continuous development of internal training programmes in coordination with Lead Campus, - the further education Centre of the four Research Institutes - as well as professional guidance for staff of the research institutes on complex questions and publishing issues Active representation of the library in internal and external committees as well as in national and international institutions and associations to strategically position the library and expand professional networks Qualifications and requirements