Lab Manager and Experimental Technical Support Staff

At the IDEAL Lab, algorithms and computational models are developed to design physical hardware and validate those designs via physical experiments. The lab has a growing physical footprint with equipment such as 3D printers, a custom foam cutter, several robotic arms (UR5e), and various mechatronic test rigs. Each semester, 20-30 Bachelor's and Master's students join for projects, some involving robotics or mechatronics-related experiments. The role is part-time and may include lab management and/or technical coordination, depending on the candidate's skillset.

• Act as the General Safety Representative for the lab.
• Train incoming students and staff on safety rules and shared equipment usage (trainings occur 3-4 times per year for 1-2 hours).
• Update the safety concept annually or as needed.
• Manage lab spaces, including inventory, purchase requests for supplies, package retrieval, and ensuring workstations are clean and organized.
• Coordinate the annual lab cleaning day with staff.
• Coordinate maintenance and use of shared equipment such as 3D printers, robots, and hand tools, including repairs and delegating tasks as appropriate.
• Act as a point of contact for student questions about equipment or supplies location in the lab.
• Guide students to other ETH resources outside the lab when needed.
• Attend occasional lab operational meetings or retreats with the PI and other staff.
• Support research goals by assisting students and staff in debugging and running physical experiments.
• Help build or debug rigs or platforms for research projects and automate procedures from past projects.
• Develop working knowledge of the lab’s robotic infrastructure to onboard new student projects.
• Coordinate with external partners (e.g., ETH TechPool, outside contractors, researchers at other labs) to deliver or maintain experimental equipment.
• Maintain operation of lab demos for occasional visitors.
• Assist Ph.D. students and Post-Docs with transitioning student projects between semesters, including documentation, answering questions, demonstrating test setups, and helping store or dismantle projects.

• A practical background (e.g., FH, B.Sc., M.Sc. degree) in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, robotics or a related field.
• Hands-on expertise with 3D printing, small robotics (like UR5e), and basic electronics/sensors or mechatronic systems.
• You like working with and mentoring students, helping them pursue varied and creative projects while ensuring safety and pragmatism/flexibility.
• Organized, practical, team player, and comfortable enforcing lab safety rules and ensuring students/staff clean up after themselves.
• Comfortable working with small hand tools, small robotic cobots (e.g., UR5e and associated ROS/ROS2 environments), and developing small sensor packages/electronic setups for measuring device performance (e.g., RPMs, distances moved, thrusts/forces).
• Comfortable reviewing engineering drawings from outside partners such as ETH TechPool or similar.

• World-class research infrastructure and excellent working conditions guided by a supportive shared work culture.
• Integration into both the chair's team and the department's technicians team.
• Regular professional and personal exchange, as well as open and supportive collaboration, providing a strong network in daily work.
• Flexible working hours that accommodate different personal and family needs, as far as operational requirements allow.
• A wide range of courses and professional development opportunities at ETH Zurich.
• Benefits such as public transport passes and car sharing, a wide sports program through ASVZ, childcare, etc.
• Attractive pension benefits through the PUBLICA pension fund.
• Inclusive culture promoting equality of opportunity, valuing diversity, and nurturing a respectful working and learning environment.
• Sustainability as a core value, with consistent efforts towards a climate-neutral future.

ETH Zurich is an international academic environment supporting professional development and societal progress through research and teaching. The IDEAL Lab focuses on Artificial Intelligence in Engineering Design.

You will be fully integrated into both the chair's team and the department's technicians team, with regular professional and personal exchange and open, supportive collaboration.