Head of Geospatial AI - Foundation Models and Geo-Intelligence Platform

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Head of Geospatial AI - Foundation Models and Geo-Intelligence Platform

ETH Zurich is establishing the ETH Swiss GeoLab, a new interdisciplinary unit of ETH Zürich I Space. ETH Space will soon become one of few strategic centres of ETH Zurich, and encompasses overall five units.

The GeoLab is focused on Earth observation and its applications. The GeoLab uses satellite, airborne, ground-based and in-situ observations. To these diverse data sets it applies AI-driven analysis methods and high-performance computing to develop solutions for specific societal and economic challenges.

Located at the D4 Business Village in Root, close to Lucerne, ETH Swiss GeoLab works at the interface of research, technology development and practical application. In its first phase, the GeoLab is focusing on few selected high-impact application areas where Earth observation, geodata and AI-based analytics can create tangible value for Switzerland, in areas such as natural hazards, agriculture, and forestry.

The ETH Swiss GeoLab is led by Prof. Dr Verena Griess and Prof. Dr Thomas Zurbuchen, with Dr Felix Seidel as Managing Director, responsible for the day-to-day operations of this exciting activity. The GeoLab will grow into a project-based hub of around 100 experts over the coming years and will collaborate closely with other ETH units, the Swiss national centre for supercomputing (CSCS), Swiss research institutions, public-sector stakeholders, agricultural organisations, industry partners, start-ups and international stakeholders.

This position is offered as a fixed-term appointment for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of extension.

Job description

As Head of Geospatial AI, you will spearhead the Geo-Intelligence Team and own the development and implementation of ETH Swiss GeoLab’s geospatial AI, data and shared platform capabilities. With domain experts from academia and the tech industry, you will help define the technical strategy and architecture for multimodal foundation models, agentic AI systems, geospatial tools, data pipelines and compute infrastructure.

You will work closely with Research Program Support teams (plus the external partners mentioned above). You will lead cross-functional and external experts and will have the authority to prioritize, redirect, and pivot or pause activities within the approved mission charter, budget and governance framework.

As part of your role, you will:

• On behalf of the GeoLab leadership team, define and implement ETH Swiss GeoLab’s geospatial AI and technical strategy
• Based on broad inputs, establish the target architecture for multimodal foundation models, agentic systems, geospatial data pipelines, compute environments and the shared Geo-Intelligence Platform
• Adopt or set technical standards, priorities, interfaces and development principles aligned with GeoLab strategy and mission requirements
• Drive and lead the design, development, evaluation and operationalisation of multimodal geospatial foundation models and related agentic capabilities
• Encourage, enable or direct prototyping, benchmarking, validation and integration activities
• Ensure that technical work produces reliable, reusable and operationally relevant capabilities rather than isolated research demonstrators
• Own and be empowered to adapt the technical roadmap and delivery of the shared Geo-Intelligence Platform, including data access, processing pipelines, model-training environments, deployment capabilities and integration with HPC and cloud infrastructure
• Coordinate with CSCS, ETH units, innovation leaders and technology providers to ensure scalability, security, efficiency and maintainability
• Work with the Natural Hazards, Agriculture, Forestry and future Mission Leads to translate mission requirements into technical capabilities and delivery plans
• Assess feasibility, define technical milestones, allocate technical resources and resolve trade-offs between mission-specific development and reusable platform components
• Redirect technical work when evidence, performance or mission priorities require it
• Lead or support technical collaborations with ETH groups, research institutions, CSCS, hyperscalers, companies, start-ups and open-source communities
• Structure joint development activities, evaluate external capabilities and mobilise partners where they can accelerate delivery or provide distinctive expertise

Profile

In summary, you have a track record of innovative thought-leadership and a track record in brining others along with you on a journey for which the goal may not be 100% clear at the beginning. You are a voracious learner and are able to translate ambitious scientific and operational needs into robust, scalable and reusable technical solutions.

Specifically, we are looking for someone with:

• A Master’s or PhD degree in computer science, machine learning, geo-informatics, engineering, remote sensing or a related field
• Several years of experience leading technical AI/ML, geospatial data or large-scale software and platform development activities that includes interactions with user communities
• Demonstrated experience defining technical architectures, guiding interdisciplinary teams and managing technical resources such as platform architectures and large-scale data processing and ML workflows
• Strong expertise in machine learning and multimodal foundation models with a track record of learning and adaptability as the industry and technological tools change. This also involves experience with agentic AI, reasoning systems or related AI architectures.
• Excellent understanding of geospatial AI, Earth observation and remote sensing
• Experience with HPC, cloud infrastructure or distributed computing environments
• Proven ability to build reliable, reusable and operational technical capabilities in a cost-effective and agile manner
• Experience working with academic, infrastructure, technology or industry partners
• Excellent written and spoken English; German or French is an asset

You bring strong technical judgement and the ability to set direction under uncertainty. You have an excitement for technology and a passion to use this technology to enable breakthrough research and to change lives through the results it produces. You are a fast learner and a strong listener who also has the courage to try things and pivot where expectations are not fulfilled. You are able to lead highly qualified specialists, resolve architectural trade-offs and translate mission needs into scalable technical solutions. You are structured, delivery-oriented and willing to challenge or redirect weak approaches where needed. You communicate effectively across scientific, engineering, management and industry environments and build trust while maintaining clear standards, accountability and focus on outcomes.

We offer

• The great and rare opportunity to help build ETH Swiss GeoLab from its early phase and shape a new national competence centre for Earth observation
• A senior technical leadership role with high visibility and strategic relevance
• The opportunity to develop geospatial AI capabilities with direct application to societal, environmental and economic challenges
• The opportunity to build novel and useful AI, data and platform capabilities for multiple mission areas
• A workplace in Root/Lucerne, embedded in an active innovation ecosystem and closely connected to ETH Zurich

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values , ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future .

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• Your CV
• Diplomas and work certificates
• A short motivation statement outlining your interest in ETH Swiss GeoLab and the Agriculture Mission
• A video (max 2 mins) about you and your motivation for this position.

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through the ETH Zurich online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Further information about ETH Swiss GeoLab can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr Felix Seidel, Managing Director ETH Swiss GeoLab, at  felix.seidel@eaps.ethz.ch .

We look forward to receiving your application!

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

For recruitment services the  GTC of ETH Zurich  apply.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in
science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education,
cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge
into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our
university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe,
yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to
develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.