Scientific Director Zurich AI Lab – Post Doc or Senior Researcher (m/f/d)

About the job

As part of a strategic collaboration between HSG and a leading company in the insurance industry, a joint AI Research Center is being established. The Center aims to advance applied research in Artificial Intelligence and to develop innovative solutions that drive the digital transformation of the insurance sector. 
To lead the university's contribution to this initiative, we are seeking an experienced and visionary individual to serve as Lab Lead of the Zurich AI Lab. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the academic research agenda, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthen the bridge between academic excellence and industrial innovation.

• Providing strategic leadership and co-managing the Lab in close collaboration with the industry partner 
• Coordinating and supervising research activities, including the mentoring of PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers 
• Promoting high-quality research output and publications in leading journals 
• Identifying and developing research topics with strong relevance to the insurance industry 
• Representing the university and the Lab at scientific conferences, workshops, and steering committees 
• Contributing to the acquisition of third-party funding and external research partnerships 
• Teaching activities at the University of St. Gallen 

• Completed PhD or equivalent academic qualification in the fields of strategy and innovation with a focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, or related disciplines 
• Proven research track record and publication record in AI or data-driven methods 
• Solid understanding of the insurance or financial services industry, and motivation to apply AI in practical contexts 
• Experience in leading interdisciplinary research teams and collaborating with industry partners
• Strong strategic, analytical, and communication skills, combined with a collaborative mindset
• Familiarity with state-of-the-art AI frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) is an advantage 

"A place where knowledge is created" - As one of Europe's leading universities of economics and business administration, the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, is committed to the education of over 10'000 students. The HSG is one of the largest employers in the region and provides an attractive and innovative environment for more than 3'500 researchers, educators and professional staff.