Head of Scientific IT & Application Management
Empa, Materials Science and Technology
Publication date:
08 March 2025Workload:
100%Contract type:
Unlimited employment- Place of work:Dübendorf
Job summary
Join Empa, a leading research institution, as Head of Scientific IT.
Tasks
- Lead a diverse team supporting researchers with digital technologies.
- Contribute to projects in core research areas and ensure application development.
- Manage budget and enhance team skills for innovative IT solutions.
Skills
- Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science or related field, 5+ years experience.
- Strong leadership and communication skills in research environments.
- Familiarity with IT security and Open Research Data principles.
Is this helpful?
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.
Head of Scientific IT & Application Management
As Head of Scientific IT & Application Management, you will lead an interdisciplinary team working at the interface of scientific applications and IT management, supporting researchers with the latest digital technologies. The team is very diverse with backgrounds in scientific computing, software and platform engineering, data management and process automation. You have a strong background in one of these areas and a good understanding of the others, with experience working in a research environment. You will play a key role in the Digital and IT strategy of Empa, a renowned institution with over a thousand scientific employees. Together with your expertise and your team, you will contribute to research projects within Empa, the ETH-Domain and beyond.
Your tasks
- Lead the Scientific IT & Application Management team to collaborate with research labs and provide excellent service to scientists and business owners.
- Contribute to research projects in Empa's core areas.
- Ensure the operation and further development of research and business applications.
- Coach, guide and support team members to enhance their technical skills and expand their applications to offer innovative Scientific IT solutions.
- Responsible for the budget in your area and efficient resource management.
- Ensure IT security and compliance in the scientific environment together with our IT Security Officer.
- Follow developments in Open Research Data requirements from national and international boards and Funding agencies.
- Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to continuously optimize IT services.
- Represent Empa in key strategic initiatives within the ETH Domain and national boards.
- Stay updated with the latest technologies to ensure our solutions remain cutting-edge.
Your profile
We are seeking a candidate with a strong technical background in Scientific IT, with a degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field (Master's or Ph.D. preferred). The ideal candidate will have significant experience (5+ years) in scientific computing, software engineering, or research IT management within a research environment. You should have a proven track record in managing and optimizing applications, data management, and IT infrastructure tailored to scientific workflows.
Your experience in leading cross-functional teams and project management is essential, particularly in research-driven environments is based on strong leadership and communication skills.
A strong understanding of Open Research Data principles, IT security standards, and regulatory compliance is critical for ensuring the integrity and protection of research data. Familiarity with budget management and stakeholder coordination will be highly valued, though the role is also open to candidates eager to develop these skills.
Our offer
We offer you an inspiring and dynamic work environment where you’ll have the opportunity to work autonomously, creatively, and with a direct impact. Your ideas will be valued and have the potential to shape our projects and outcomes. With flat hierarchies and a collaborative, open atmosphere, you’ll be part of an interdisciplinary team where your contributions make a real difference.
We are committed to your growth, offering a range of opportunities for continuous learning and development, empowering you to drive change and innovation.
Flexible working hours and a competitive salary ensure that you can achieve the perfect balance between your professional ambitions and personal life.
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.
