Office Manager Chair of Global Security

The newly established Chair of Global Security, held by Prof. Annette Idler, is part of the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (D-GESS) at ETH Zurich. The Chair examines global security, especially in relation to armed conflicts, the global illicit economy, transitions from war to peace, and the interconnections between local conflict dynamics and global shifts in order and power.

Its mixed-methods research programme integrates macro-level theory with detailed, contextualised fieldwork across world regions, combines qualitative, quantitative, and computational approaches, and bridges the social sciences with complexity science and other disciplines. The Chair’s international research group engages closely with international organisations, governments, and civil society. From 2029, Prof. Idler will additionally assume the Directorship of the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich.

To set up and run the Chair’s operations during this build-up phase, we are looking for an Office Manager (Administrative Officer) at 80–100%. The position is initially fixed-term for two years, in line with the Chair’s planned development toward 2029: once the CSS also comes under Prof. Idler’s leadership, there is the prospect of extension and of the role developing into a permanent position.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; screening of applications will begin on 12thOctober 2026, and the position remains open until filled.

Starting date: 1st November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

• Finance, Procurement & Grant Management (ETHIS/SAP): Independent budget monitoring, financial forecasting, year-end closings, and daily transactions (expenses, invoices, procurement), alongside preparing third-party grant applications (e.g., SNSF, EU), and setting up and monitoring contracts and agreements with international collaborators and partner organisations (in coordination with the relevant ETH offices)
• Project, Logistics & Fieldwork Operations: Operational tracking of research deliverables, logistical support for fieldwork (including fragile settings), and coordination of travel, meetings, and hybrid events
• Strategy, Leadership & Governance: Advising the Chair on operational and organisational matters, developing team structures and workflows toward the 2029 CSS leadership transition, and administrative supervision of research assistants (e.g. timesheets)
• HR Operations & Data Management: Support the recruitment processes and onboarding of the group, in coordination with D-GESS HR, and organizing data storage and management in line with ETH guidelines
• Communications, Web & Social Media: Developing and maintaining the Chair’s web presence (ETH CMS) and social media channels, handling media and journalist enquiries in coordination with D-GESS/ETH communications, and supporting the Chair’s external communications
• Executive Support & Stakeholder Relations: Primary point of contact for global stakeholders, complex cross-time zone calendar management, compiling agendas, drafting minutes and ensuring follow-up, and preparation of reports in German and English, and handling sensitive, security-related information with discretion

• Completed commercial or administrative vocational training (e.g. KV) with further qualification in administration or finance, or a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience
• Several years of professional experience in project, office or finance administration, ideally in a university or research environment
• Confidence in handling varied administrative and funding-related tasks, budgets and financial data
• Experience organising travel, events and meetings, including internationally
• Experience with ERP/finance systems (e.g. SAP) and readiness to…