President of the Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

The Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) stands for excellent teaching, pioneering fundamental research and the application of the results for the benefit of society. Together with ETH Zurich and the four federal research institutes PSI, WSL, Empa and Eawag, EPFL is part of the ETH Domain, whose strategic management and supervisory body is the ETH Board.

The ETH Board is advertising the position of

President of the Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

The incumbent President will be stepping down at the end of 2016. The ETH Board will thus have to propose a successor to the Swiss government, the Federal Council.

Since its integration to the ETH Domain in 1969, EPFL has rapidly become one of the internationally top-ranked universities in the fields of technical and natural sciences as well as life sciences. Currently, more than 13’500 people are studying, working and carrying out research at EPFL. Outstanding research conditions, state-of-the-art infrastructure, an entrepreneurial atmosphere, and an attractive environment provide an ideal setting for creative personalities.

Requirements 
The successful candidate must have an excellent international reputation in the exact, natural or engineering sciences. She/he is able to identify and foster outstanding potential and visionary ideas, specify strategic guidelines and address issues in current scientific, technological and societal domains. She/he is committed to excellence in education. Ideally, the successful candidate is an experienced leader in a large organisation, preferably in the field of academics or industry, and has provided evidence of her/his participative management skills and fundraising abilities. She/he has good networks inside and outside the scientific community and is ready to develop EPFL’s future and help shape the entire ETH Domain.

The successful candidate’s personality is characterised by a high degree of social competence, assertiveness and the ability to deal with conflict. She/he possesses excellent communication and negotiation skills, which she/he uses both inside and outside the university. She/he is willing to engage with Switzerland’s political structures and legislative processes and appreciates its cultural diversity. Finally, the candidate has a very good command of French and English, and preferably knowledge of German.

We are looking for a candidate willing to hold office for at least two terms (i.e. eight years) and who could start at the beginning of 2017.

Applications 
Applications from women are particularly welcome. Complete applications (CV and motivation letter) must be sent by July 31, 2015, to the President of the ETH Board, Dr. iur. Fritz Schiesser, ETH-Rat, Häldeliweg 15, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland. He will also be available for further information (phone +41 44 632 20 01, schiesser@ethrat.ch). All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality.