Head: Institute for Disability and Participation (Member of the University Management) <br> 80 – 100%
Interkantonale Hochschule für Heilpädagogik Zürich
Zürich
Key information
- Publication date:17 December 2025
- Workload:80 – 100%
- Contract type:Permanent position
- Place of work:Zürich
Job summary
The Interkantonale Hochschule für Heilpädagogik (HfH) is a leading Swiss center for special education. It offers a collaborative and innovative work environment with a focus on education justice.
Tasks
- Lead the organizational and financial management of the Institute.
- Collaborate on strategic development and positioning within HfH.
- Enhance the institute's focus on education, research, and services.
Skills
- Advanced degree in special education or related field; PhD preferred.
- Strong leadership and management skills in complex contexts.
- Excellent knowledge of the Swiss education system and languages.
Is this helpful?
The Intercantonal University of Special Education (HfH) is the most important Swiss competence center for special and remedial education with around 2,000 students. In teaching, research, and services, we are committed to participation and educational equity. Our work combines scientific excellence with social responsibility and is oriented towards the needs of practice, politics, and the education system.
Head: Institute for Disability and Participation (Member of the University Management)
80 – 100%
Due to the resignation of the current head, we are looking for a proven expert to lead the Institute for Disability and Participation (IBP) from July 1, 2026, or by agreement, who enjoys further developing the institute professionally and innovatively together with colleagues and strategically positioning it.
The focus of the institute is on the question of how people – with a focus on childhood and adolescence – with physical and multiple disabilities, cognitive impairments, visual impairments, as well as developmental risks can develop optimally and participate in society. Another focus is on special education in early childhood.
For this position, we are looking for a personality with a passion for shaping, scientific excellence, strong practical orientation, and high integrative ability, who understands how to promote joint development processes and strengthen the discourse between research, teaching, and practice. You actively shape the future of the institute and the HfH and contribute your own research questions and teaching impulses within the fourfold mandate.
Your area of responsibility
- Responsibility for the organizational, personnel, and financial management of the institute
- Active participation and collaboration in university management in university development
- Strategic and content-related further development and profiling of the institute in line with the overall strategy of the HfH
- Ensuring and further developing the focal points within the fourfold mandate (education, continuing education, research & development, services) taking into account current and future requirements from science, practice, and politics
- Networking with practice and science nationally and internationally
- Taking on tasks in teaching and/or research & development as well as services
Your profile
- University degree in special and remedial education, social or educational sciences, or an equivalent discipline
- PhD related to special or remedial education
- Extensive professional experience in a special and remedial educational field of activity
- Proven leadership and management skills, especially in dynamic and complex contexts
- Enjoyment in taking responsibility, managing developments, and actively and agilely shaping change processes
- Experience in leading and promoting experts as well as in interdisciplinary teams
- Several years of university experience in teaching, research, and/or services
- Very good knowledge of the Swiss education landscape
- Good knowledge of a second national language as well as very good English skills
For further information, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Carlo Wolfisberg
Head of the Institute for Disability and Participation
Phone +41 44 317 11 23
carlo.wolfisberg@hfh.ch
We look forward to receiving your complete application documents by January 13, 2026, via the online platform.
www.hfh.ch
Prof. Dr. Carlo Wolfisberg
Head of the Institute for Disability and Participation
Phone +41 44 317 11 23
carlo.wolfisberg@hfh.ch
We look forward to receiving your complete application documents by January 13, 2026, via the online platform.
www.hfh.ch
