Professor in Technologies for Decarbonizing the Energy System 80 – 100 %

About the job

Professor in Technologies for Decarbonizing the Energy System 80 – 100 %

Work with us on the further development of technologies for the use of sustainable fuels and pass on your expertise to aspiring engineers. Complement our team with your expertise in: Decarbonized thermal technologies for power generation

Department: School of Engineering

Start date: October 1, 2026 or by arrangement

As head of the Renewable Energies focus area at the Institute for Energy Systems and Fluid Engineering, you will be responsible for teaching and research in the areas of decarbonizing the energy system through the use of safe and sustainable technologies for decarbonized thermal power generation with alternative fuels and propellants. Your focus will be on teaching the fundamentals of fluid and thermodynamics as well as on research of innovative projects with national and international project partners.

Your core tasks include:

• Strategic and operational management of the Renewable Energies focus area
• Leading your own research group
• Teaching in bachelor and master programs, continuing education, and supervising project, bachelor, and master theses.
• Independent acquisition of applied R&D projects in the field of technologies for decarbonizing the energy system
• Activities for marketing and support of bachelor and continuing education offerings
• Building and maintaining professional contacts with industry and associations, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration

Depending on suitability and prior knowledge, you will also take on:

You have the following qualifications:

• A completed university degree in mechanical engineering or a related field as well as a doctorate are prerequisites.
• You are a recognized expert in the field of combustion, especially combustion dynamics.
• You have extensive industry experience of at least 5 years in the sought-after subject areas.
• You have many years of experience leading teams in research and development in industry and academia.
• You can demonstrate success in acquiring national and international (EU) funding.
• You are very well networked internationally in both industry and academia. As a recognized expert, you are known worldwide in the research community, e.g., through publications, patents, organizing conferences, committee work, activities as editor/reviewer, etc.
• You have already presented at numerous relevant conferences and published peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals.
• You have teaching experience at a university and have additional didactic training (e.g., CAS University Didactics).
• You communicate fluently in both spoken and written German and English.
• Additionally, you have the enthusiasm and motivation to pass on your knowledge to the next generation and to participate in and acquire innovative research projects.

The ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, with over 14,000 students and over 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.

The School of Engineering (SoE), as one of the leading educational and research institutions in Switzerland, focuses on future-relevant topics. Fourteen institutes and centers guarantee high-quality education, research, and development with a focus on energy, mobility, information, and health.

The Institute for Energy Systems and Fluid Engineering is one of the leading institutes in the field of energy systems. Around 50 employees work on national and international research projects and in teaching.

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

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 main points:

Prof. Dr. Frank Tillenkamp

Head of the Institute for Energy Systems and Fluid Engineering

Yeliz Sevinc

Recruiting Manager