Head of the Department of Professional Practice and Professionalisation (80-100%) (Part-time Co-Leadership Possible)

About the job

Head of the Department of Professional Practice and Professionalisation (80-100%) (Part-time Co-Leadership Possible)

University of Teacher Education FHNW, Institute for Secondary Education I and II

Knowledge. Skills. Shaping the Future. Together for strong teachers, speech therapists, special education teachers, school principals

Your Tasks:

As head of the Department of Professional Practice and Professionalisation for Secondary I and II, you are responsible together with your team for the conceptual development and operational implementation of the professional practical studies in the degree programmes for Secondary I and II. The professional practical studies represent a central link between professional knowledge and its application in practical knowledge. Accordingly, you work closely with all other departments within the institute and contribute your extensive knowledge of teacher professionalisation not only to the further development of the professional practical studies but also to the general development of the Secondary I and II degree programmes.
Your core tasks include:

• Personnel leadership and personnel management
• Responsibility for the following work areas of the Department of Professional Practice and Professionalisation Secondary I and II:
  • Acquisition and administration of internships and partner schools
  • Ensuring the quality of internships for the Secondary I and II degree programmes
  • Internal qualification and quality development for the professional practical studies Secondary I and II
  • External qualification and quality development for the professional practical studies Secondary I and II
• Internal coordination and networking with other departments of the institute as well as within the department network and the thematic cluster "Professional Practice and Professionalisation"
• Member of the institute management of the Institute for Secondary Education I and II: Co-responsibility for the delivery and further development of the Secondary I and II degree programmes as well as the institute

Your Profile:

You are a communicative and team-oriented personality who moves confidently in both the higher education and school environments and enjoys taking on leadership responsibilities. As a distinguished personality with knowledge of the current challenges in the Swiss education system (including the compulsory school sector and higher education landscape), you strengthen the team and contribute to the profiling of the Institute for Secondary Education I and II. You demonstrate high expertise and are well anchored in the relevant scientific community.
You also have:

• A completed university degree in an educational science discipline (including subject didactics or subject-related science) with a doctorate
• Teaching diploma and target level reference Secondary I or II desired
• Expertise in the field of professional practical studies and teacher professionalisation
• Several years of experience in school and higher education practice and in teacher continuing education for Secondary I and II, including higher education didactic qualification
• Leadership experience in the higher education sector as well as management skills
• Proof of higher education didactic qualification

Your Perspectives:

The uniqueness of FHNW is reflected in the combination of teaching and application-oriented research as well as collaboration with practice. The complementary perspectives enable a differentiated understanding and action in a rapidly changing world. Exchange and collaboration are paramount.

Your Benefits:

 

Wide range of university sports

Cultural programme with lectures, concerts, theatre and films

Practised pay equality between women and men

Targeted support for doctoral projects

Sabbatical for professors for research and practice projects

300 hours of time allowances for further training, administration and university development

Start date: Position start from 31 March 2027 or by arrangement. Apply online Your workplace: University of Teacher Education FHNW
Bahnhofstrasse 6
5210 Windisch

Any Questions?

About the position:

Prof. Dr Claudia Schmellentin Britz, Head of Institute Secondary Education I and II, Contact: +41 56 202 80 17

About the application process:

Eliane Künzli, HR Officer PH, Contact: +41 56 202 78 92

Will you soon be part of our team? We look forward to receiving your application by 16 August 2026.

www.fhnw.ch/de/ph