Head: Institute for Learning under Challenging Conditions (Member of the University Management) 80 – 100%

10 February 2026
80 – 100%
Permanent position
Zürich

Job summary

Join the leading Swiss competence center for special education, HfH. This role offers a dynamic work environment focused on educational equity.

Tasks

Lead organizational, personnel, and financial management of ILEB.
Collaborate on university development and strategic positioning.
Enhance the institute's focus in education, research, and services.

Skills

PhD related to learning under challenging conditions required.
Strong leadership and management skills in dynamic contexts.
Excellent knowledge of Swiss education and languages needed.

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About the job

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 Learning under Challenging Conditions (Member of the University Management) 80 – 100%

For the leadership of the Institute for Learning under Challenging Conditions (ILEB), we are looking for a proven expert as of July 1, 2026, or by agreement, who enjoys further developing the institute professionally together with colleagues, strategically positioning it, and shaping it innovatively.

The focus of the institute is on the question of how access to educational standards and curricula can be ensured equitably in the context of challenging learning conditions and how the fit between learning offerings and learning prerequisites can be increased to enable successful educational pathways.

We are looking for a personality with a passion for shaping, scientific excellence, strong practical orientation, and great integrative power, who understands how to promote joint development processes and strengthen the discourse between research, teaching, and practice.

Your area of responsibility

Responsibility for the organizational, personnel, and financial management of the institute
Active participation and collaboration in the 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 institute's focus areas in the fourfold mandate (education, continuing education, research & development, services) taking into account current and future challenges from science, practice, and politics
Networking with practice and science nationally and internationally
Taking on teaching and/or R&D as well as service tasks

Your profile

PhD related to topics at the Institute for Learning under Challenging Conditions
Solid professional experience in a remedial and special education field
Proven leadership and management competence, especially in dynamic and changing contexts
Enjoyment in taking responsibility, steering developments, and actively and agilely shaping change processes
Several years of university experience in teaching, research, and/or services, combined with a good understanding of the institutional framework conditions of a university
Very good knowledge of the Swiss education landscape as well as good knowledge of a second national language and English

For further information, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Barbara Fäh
Rector
Phone +41 44 317 11 00
barbara.faeh@hfh.ch.

We look forward to receiving your complete application documents by March 10, 2026, via the online platform.

www.hfh.ch