Professur oder Assistenzprofessur (Tenure Track) für Critical Mineral Resources

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (www.eaps.ethz.ch) at ETH Zurich invites applications for the above-mentioned position.

Depending on the candidate’s qualifications and career stage, the appointment will be made either at the level of Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) or Professor. The successful candidate is expected to develop an innovative research programme focused on the processes of ore formation, including a significant field-based component. A strong analytical foundation is essential. The research should contribute to a fundamental understanding of the processes controlling the formation, enrichment, and sustainable utilisation of critical mineral resources required for the energy transition and future low-carbon technologies.

Research themes of interest include, but are not limited to, the physical and chemical mechanisms governing critical element enrichment, the timescales of ore formation, mineral precipitation from fluids and melts, the valorisation of anthropogenic resources, and integrated approaches to resource assessment and sustainability. Candidates with a proven track record in field-based research, as well as experience in industry and policy engagement, are particularly encouraged to apply. The ability to effectively communicate with the public sector on issues related to sustainable raw material extraction is also highly desirable.

The successful candidate will integrate analytical innovation and theoretical modelling, forging strong connections with the mining and resource sectors. Building productive collaborations with stakeholders across government, industry, and both natural and anthropogenic resource sectors will be a key aspect of the role.

The new professor and her/his research group will contribute to introductory and advanced courses on ore formation and its sustainable exploitation, as well as to field and laboratory training. In general, at ETH Zurich undergraduate-level courses are taught in German or English and graduate-level courses are taught in English. At the assistant professor level, commitment to teaching and the ability to lead a research group are expected.

Assistant professorships have been established to promote the careers of early-career scientists. ETH Zurich implements a tenure track system equivalent to that of other top international universities. 

ETH Zurich is an equal opportunity and family-friendly employer, values diversity, and is responsive to the needs of dual-career couples.

Please apply online for:

• Professor of Critical Mineral Resources
• Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) of Critical Mineral Resources

Applications should include a covering letter; a curriculum vitae; a list of publications; three statements on a) research, b) teaching, c) leadership; descriptions of the three most important achievements*; and a certificate of the highest degree. Please note that the covering letter should be formally addressed to the President of ETH Zurich, Prof. Dr. Joël Mesot. The closing date for applications is 31 October 2026. 

Further information about D-EAPS can be found on our website.

Questions regarding the position should be primarily directed to (no applications).

Please note that applications should be submitted through our online application tool (see link above).

*Die ETH Zürich legt Wert auf eine qualitative Bewertung akademischer Leistungen. In diesem Sinne sind Sie gebeten, eine kurze Beschreibung Ihrer drei wichtigsten Errungenschaften den Unterlagen beizufügen (maximal je eine halbe Seite). Dies können neben Forschungsergebnissen auch besondere Leistungen in der Lehre und deren Weiterentwicklung, Dienstleistungen zugunsten der akademischen Gemeinschaft oder der Gesellschaft, Softwareentwicklungen, Patente, Wissens-​​​​​​​​ und Praxistransfer, Spin-​​​​​​​​offs und dergleichen sein.

Bitte beachten Sie: Für Assistenzprofessuren wird eine Berufung in einem frühen Karrierestadium angestrebt. Bei der vergleichenden Bewertung der Leistungen der Bewerber:innen wird das jeweilige akademische Nettoalter als Zeitraum seit der Promotionsprüfung berücksichtigt, der für wissenschaftliche Arbeit aufgewendet wurde. Dieser Zeitraum sollte zum Zeitpunkt der Bewerbung acht Jahre nicht überschreiten.

Bitte beachten Sie: Alle Unterlagen sind in Englisch einzureichen.