Two Members of the University Council 10 - 15%

Publication date:13 September 2025
Workload:10 – 15%
Place of work:Zürich

Job summary

The University of Zurich (UZH) is seeking two members for its Council. This opportunity involves strategic leadership and oversight responsibilities.

Tasks

Members will oversee legal, financial, and organizational matters.
They will participate in committees and address faculty needs.
Candidates should have leadership experience and academic qualifications.

Skills

A solid academic background and familiarity with Swiss higher education are essential.
Experience in strategy development and constructive oversight is vital.
Candidates should have an interest in educational policy and financial management.

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About the job

Two Members of the University Council 10 - 15%

The University of Zurich (UZH) is the largest and most diverse full university in Switzerland. The University Council is the highest body of the UZH. The committee consists of personalities from science, culture, business, and politics; the presidency is held by the head of the Department of Education. Due to two foreseeable vacancies, we are looking for two members of the University Council.

Your area of responsibility
The University Council, as the highest body of the UZH, has central legislative, financial, personnel, and organizational competencies. Together with the university management, it is responsible for strategic leadership and exercises direct supervision over the UZH. The University Council submits proposals on the budget and accountability report to the government council. It adopts the development and financial plan, elects the university management, and appoints professors. Members also participate in the committees of the University Council. Within the framework of the referral system, they are familiar with the concerns and needs of the faculties assigned to them.

Your profile
You have a solid academic education and are familiar with the Swiss higher education landscape. You have leadership experience, a proven track record in strategy development, and the competence to constructively and critically accompany development and innovation processes of the university management. Furthermore, you bring interest and understanding for financial management, quality assurance and risk management systems, and personnel matters. As an ideal candidate, you have a connection to the federal higher education policy area (Swiss research and innovation policy – research funding) and/or to the educational levels adjacent to the UZH. General interest in educational policy issues and a good network in business, science, and politics complete your profile. You are independent of the UZH.

Our offer
You can expect an interesting activity compensated as a part-time office. The workload comprises about 10 meetings per year, up to approximately 15%, depending on involvement in the University Council committees. The term of office is scheduled to begin in mid-2026. The election (initially for the remainder of the current term 2023/2027) is made by the government council and must be approved by the cantonal council. The term of office is four years. Re-election is possible twice.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application by October 3, 2025. The acting head of the Higher Education Office of the Department of Education, lic. iur. Urs Bühler, will be happy to answer your questions (043 259 53 19). Please note that we only accept applications submitted via the online tool. Applications from employment agencies or persons from a consulting environment will not be considered.

Further information about the University Council can be found at www.uzh.ch.