AI Expert 80-100%, (f,m,d)

ZHdK is one of the largest and most diverse art universities in Europe, with around 2100 bachelor’s and master’s students. The study and research areas include Art Education, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre and Transdisciplinarity. Located in the heart of Zurich, ZHdK is a dynamic place where passionate people from over 75 countries work, study, teach, research and continue their education. The university includes numerous exhibition and performance venues where students’ project work is publicly presented.

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The Information Technology Centre (ITZ) of the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) consists of around 50 different specialists who manage the IT infrastructure of ZHdK, lead projects, develop software and actively provide support.

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For the development and support of a central, university-wide and strategically prioritised AI service, provided by the IT department for all areas of ZHdK, we are looking for a committed individual to start immediately or by arrangement as

Your tasks:
As the driving technical force in the AI service team, you take responsibility for the design, development and operation of AI services and solutions.

• Service Design & Consulting:
  You support the service owner in needs and feasibility analysis and translate professional requirements from teaching, research and administration into technical roadmaps, architecture concepts and business cases.
• Platform & Infrastructure Development:
  You manage the conception, development, operation and provisioning of our central, hybrid AI platform in close collaboration with internal specialists and external experts.
• Discovery & Exploration:
  You stay technologically up to date, anticipate relevant developments in the AI environment and understand how these affect ZHdK. You adopt new technologies early and transform them into appropriate, sustainable solutions for our university.
• Development & Integration (GenAI & Agents):
  You develop and integrate complex GenAI solutions, RAG architectures and multi-agent frameworks (e.g. in M365 Copilot Studio, Azure Foundry, OnPrem setup). You elegantly connect tools and data via OpenAPI or MCP servers.
• MLOps & Enterprise Operation:
  You build automated data pipelines and MLOps operational structures (CI/CD). You accompany solutions from proof of concept to stable 24/7 operation and take responsibility for all operational components, including monitoring, performance tuning and backup/restore concepts.
• Governance, Security & Quality:
  You develop technical governance and data protection concepts in accordance with our guidelines. You create reusable components (blueprints, templates, connector catalogues) and conduct security assessments.
• Coordination & Enablement:
  You coordinate external service providers and partners throughout the entire application lifecycle and ensure the sustainable independence of the internal ITZ team through active knowledge transfer.
• Cost Control & Internal Charging:
  You monitor the costs of AI services and products (cost control) and ensure that the necessary internal charging options (service charging/chargeback) are available and established.

Your profile:
You combine profound software and platform engineering skills with the ability to clearly communicate complex technical matters:

• Education & Experience:
  Completed degree (university/FH) in computer science, data science, business informatics or a comparable qualification, as well as several years of experience in technology consulting, corporate innovation or engineering – ideally in a structurally complex environment (university, administration).
• AI & Software Engineering:
  Proven project experience with AI and GenAI solutions throughout the entire lifecycle. You program fluently in Python and TypeScript (Next.js, React).
• Architecture & Integration:
  Solid knowledge of modern API, auth and integration patterns (REST, GraphQL, Webhooks, OAuth2, OIDC) as well as experience with MCP servers and agent harnesses.
• Cloud & Infrastructure:
  Very good knowledge of at least one major cloud environment (preferably Azure) as well as experience with container technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) and integrating on-premises resources.
• Microsoft Ecosystem:
  In-depth knowledge of Microsoft 365, Copilot Studio and the Power Platform (Power Automate, Dataverse).
• Communication & Didactics:
  Outstanding consulting skills and the ability to pass on knowledge as a mentor to the internal team. Fluent communication in German and English.

What to expect:

• Pioneering work in a university context: 
  You will build a completely new, strategically highly prioritised service from the ground up and shape the AI infrastructure of one of Europe’s leading art universities.
• Scope for creativity & personal responsibility: 
  As deputy to the service owner, you have direct influence on technological decisions, tool selection and the architectural guidelines of ZHdK.
• An exciting, influential and formative role at the interface of art, research and technology.
• The opportunity to build and help shape a forward-looking service offering at the university.
• A collegial team in an inspiring environment at the Zurich Toni-Areal.
• Flexible working hours

Your new professional field is situated in the exciting and stimulating context of an internationally active art and design university, with the workplace in the lively Toni-Areal in Zurich-West and, by arrangement, home office. Employment conditions are governed by cantonal personnel legislation.

Your contacts for further information
Jonas Wettstein ( jonas.wettstein@zhdk.ch ), IT Business Partner, AI Service Owner a.I.
Alessia Consorti ( alessia.consorti@zhdk.ch ), HR Business Partner

Additional information about the Zurich University of the Arts can be found at www.zhdk.ch .

We look forward to receiving your complete application documents by 20 August 2026 via the "Apply online now" link at the end of this advertisement. Please note that we only consider online applications (no email applications) for this position. A personal cover letter is very welcome.