Student Assistant: Interdisciplinary Research in Urban Design, Data, and Platforms

The  Chair of Architecture and Urban Design, Prof. Hubert Klumpner , Department of Architecture - D-ARCH, Institute of Landscape and Urban Studies - LUS, is searching for a Student Assistant starting in August 2026 or by arrangement.

The Klumpner Chair operates in close collaboration with the Network City and Landscape - NSL, the Albert Einstein School of Public Policy, and is an academic partner of the UN-Habitat Informal Urbanism Research Hub. Integrating teaching, researching, and making, we respond to the complexities of global urbanization by triangulating urban design, policy, and building prototyping to implement innovative answers across Latin America, the Balkans, and Southern Africa. 

Project background

The Urban Design Toolbox Catalog Platform: An E-learning Space for Exchanging Design Strategies - UDTC , an ETH Innovedum project, translates pedagogical innovation into an open, interactive environment and establishes a platform for future course artifacts. The platform curates Urban Design Tools (UDTs) from around the world, mapping and comparing them to identify recurring patterns and context-specific challenges that can inform equitable and regenerative urban futures.

This project will be conducted in partnership with the Interactive Visualization & Intelligence Augmentation Lab D-INFK,  IVIA Lab , led by Prof. Mennatallah El-Assady.

Job description

The implementation phase of the project includes the development of a customized digital platform for the UDTC, conceived as an e-learning space for collecting, organizing, and exchanging urban design strategies across cases, territories, and themes.

Specifically, you will support ongoing activities in the following areas:

• Support the development of the platform architecture and web design of the UDTC Platform
• Research, collect, and organize datasets, case study materials, and reference content
• Assist in establishing analytical frameworks for the classification and comparison of urban design strategies
• Produce cartographies and explore alternative forms of data visualization
• Organize lecture recordings, documents, and archival materials for integration into the platform
• Assist with dataset processing, content structuring, and the preparation of material for digital publication

Profile

• You are a student of architecture at ETH Zurich
• You are interested in urban design, spatial digital knowledge platforms, cartography, data-informed analysis, and data visualization
• You have experience with GIS workflows and spatial analysis
• You are proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, as well as having a good knowledge of Excel
• Familiarity with web design tools and dataset processing is desirable
• You are at a stage of your studies where, during the semester, you can dedicate 10 to 20 hours per week (potentially more outside of the semester)
• You are reliable, proactive, and able to work both independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team

We offer

• Maximum Flexibility: We understand that your studies come first. Working hours are arranged by mutual agreement and can be flexibly scheduled around your lecture timetable and examination periods
• Fair Compensation: Employment is on an hourly basis in accordance with the official ETH Zurich salary rates for student employees
• Hands-on Experience: You will gain insights into exciting projects or administrative processes, building valuable references for your future career entry
• Interdisciplinary Network: You will work at the intersection of research (D-ARCH-D-INFK), teaching, and practice. You will gain insights into the Chair's applied research, and establish valuable contacts within the ETH community

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 .

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.

We look forward to receiving your online application before 6 June 2026 with the following documents:

• Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
• CV
• A brief portfolio (max. 5 pages)
• Certificates (optional)

Further information about the Department D-ARCH can be found on our Website . Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Fernando Túlio Salva Rocha Franco,  Visualizzare la mail su jobs.nzz.ch (no applications).

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

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