Lecturer & Senior Researcher in Plant and Vegetable Production 80 – 100 %

About the job

Lecturer & Senior Researcher in Plant and Vegetable Production 80 – 100 %

Do you want to not only discuss agroecological approaches such as regenerative and organic plant and vegetable production, but also concretely further develop them and put them into practice? In this position, you will shape applied research in close collaboration with partners from agriculture, vegetable production, and research, while also influencing the education and training of future professionals.

Department: Life Sciences and Facility Management

Start date: January 1, 2027

• You develop, acquire, and lead applied and innovative research and development projects in agroecological plant and vegetable production.
• You strategically further develop the research field of agroecology and set new priorities.
• You design, conduct, and develop courses in bachelor, master, and continuing education programs.
• You supervise bachelor, master, and diploma theses (CAS, MAS).
• You use and shape the vegetable production infrastructure of our teaching and research operations.
• You promote active knowledge transfer as well as the establishment and maintenance of professional networks in the national and international scientific and application-oriented context.
• University degree (Master or PhD) in agronomy, plant sciences, or a related field.
• Several years of work experience, ideally with solid knowledge in vegetable production.
• Experience in the design, acquisition, and management of R&D projects.
• Demonstrated interest in agroecological, regenerative, or organic cultivation systems.
• Experience in the development and implementation of research or practice projects.
• Enjoy translating ideas into viable projects and securing their funding.
• Strong communication skills and enthusiasm in dealing with students, practice partners, and funding agencies.
• Existing or actively expandable professional network.
• Openness to inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration.
• Didactic qualification for university teaching or willingness to acquire it.
• Very good German and good English skills, both spoken and written.

The ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, with over 14,000 students and more than 11,000 continuing education participants, as well as around 3,700 employees, is one of the largest multi-disciplinary universities of applied sciences in Switzerland.

ZHAW is committed to gender-mixed and diverse teams to promote equality, diversity, and innovation.

Life Sciences and Facility Management: Studying and researching in Wädenswil: practice-oriented, creative, passionate, and reflective. With our expertise in Life Sciences and Facility Management, we make an important contribution in the fields of Environment, Food, and Health to solving our societal challenges and improving our quality of life.

The Institute for Environment and Natural Resources (IUNR) at ZHAW is the leading competence center for sustainable development at the interface of environment, society, and technology. In an interdisciplinary environment, around 200 employees work on practice-relevant solutions for key challenges in dealing with natural resources. The topic area "Agroecology & Food Systems" is one of the institute's focus topics. Our modern infrastructure includes well-equipped laboratories, experimental fields, as well as diverse outdoor spaces and real laboratories at several locations, enabling research and teaching under real conditions.

We offer university-appropriate working and employment conditions and actively promote the personnel development of our employees and managers. A detailed description of the benefits can be found on the "Working at ZHAW" website. Here are the key points:

Isabel Jaisli

Head of Research Area Sustainability Transformation & Food Systems

Manuela Laure

Recruiting Manager