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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Program Manager for NCCR Separations

Mission

Separation technologies—which selectively isolate and purify substances from complex mixtures—are fundamental to modern industry and daily life. They purify our drinking water, extract oxygen from air for medical treatment, refine crude oil into fuels, produce the materials that make up our homes and devices, and capture industrial pollutants before they reach the environment. These technologies are particularly vital to Switzerland's leading industries: pharmaceutical companies depend on them to purify life-saving medicines, the chemical industry relies on them for both raw materials and finished products, metal refiners use them to extract and purify valuable metals, and food manufacturers employ them to process dairy products and other foods.

The NCCR Separation's main aim is to accelerate the development and implementation of breakthrough separation technologies essential for the energy transition, achieving net zero emissions. In the first phase, it will emphasize technology development in three main areas spanning direct air capture, ammonia separations, and critical metal recovery from waste. By addressing some of humanity's most pressing challenges—from climate change to clean energy—the NCCR Separations will help strengthen Switzerland's position as a global leader in sustainable technologies while advancing the nation's climate neutrality goals. et zero emissions, and dramatically improving industrial energy efficiency.  More information on NCCRs

The program manager serves as the operational coordinator of the NCCR Separations, directing the project management unit (scientific officer, KTT officer, outreach, education, and equal opportunities officer, financial officer, and administrative assistant) in close collaboration with the NCCR Director. This role will ensure seamless coordination across scientific teams, institutional services, and external partners including industry. Beyond ensuring high-quality administrative, financial, and operational support, the program manager proactively develops and implements programs that strengthen the NCCR's impact in communication, education, staff development, diversity, scientific exchange, and knowledge and tech transfer. Acting as a strategic connector, the position facilitates effective communication among all stakeholders, ensures productive collaboration with SNSF, EPFL, and partner institutions, and is essential to both the cohesive operation and continued evolution of the consortium.

Main duties and responsibilities

Team leadership and supervision

  • Manage and coordinate daily activities/operations of the NCCR project management unit that includes specialists in communication, education, data management, scientific writing, financial management, knowledge and technology transfer, and/or administration.
  • Ensure coherent task distribution, monitor performance, and foster effective collaboration within the management unit.
  • Provide guidance and operational oversight to ensure high-quality service delivery.

Reporting and project monitoring

  • Develop and implement tools and procedures for effective project monitoring and success and progress tracking.
  • Oversee and assist in the preparation of scientific and other administrative reports for funding agencies, internal reviews, and external evaluations.
  • Coordinate the collection and consolidation of progress updates and financial reports from research teams across partner institutions.

Administrative and operational coordination of the NCCR

  • Ensure the organization of meetings, workshops, and events with internal teams, external partners, and other stakeholders, including logistics, agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions.
  • Oversee project documentation, internal databases, and administrative workflows.
  • Monitor compliance with SNSF requirements, institutional policies, and reporting deadlines.

Financial management 

Liaise with the NCCR Financial Controller and the EPFL Research Office to ensure:

  • Compliance with EPFL procedures and funding agency regulations in the management of NCCR funds
  • Budget planning and forecasting
  • Monitor project budgets and expenditures across the consortium 

Inter-Institutional Collaboration

  • Facilitate smooth coordination and information flow between EPFL and partner institutions (e.g., ETHZ, EMPA, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, PSI, UNIFR, Northwestern University, University of Alberta).
  • Serve as the central contact point for administrative coordination across institutions, ensuring consistent procedures and efficient collaboration.

Program Development and Implementation

  • Lead the development and implementation of innovative programs to strengthen the NCCR's impact in communication, education, diversity, scientific exchange, and knowledge transfer.
  • Oversee outreach activities and communication strategies to enhance NCCR visibility and engagement with academic, industrial, and public audiences.
  • Design and coordinate education and training programs for NCCR researchers, including workshops, seminars, and professional development opportunities.
  • Develop and implement diversity and inclusion initiatives to foster an equitable and collaborative research environment.
  • Facilitate scientific exchange programs and collaborative activities across NCCR partner institutions and international networks.
  • Coordinate technology and knowledge transfer activities to maximize the societal and economic impact of NCCR research.

Funding Strategy and Acquisition

  • Monitor national and international funding landscapes and identify opportunities relevant to the NCCR's strategic priorities.
  • Coordinate the preparation of grant applications and proposals to secure complementary funding.
  • Build relationships with potential funding partners and collaborators.

Profile

Education and Experience

  • Master's degree (or equivalent) in administration, management, engineering, natural sciences; a PhD is a plus.
  • Minimum 5 years managing experience of large-scale, multi-partner scientific/research-based projects in a relevant field, preferably that include academic institutions.
  • Proven track record leading administrative or multidisciplinary support teams.
  • Demonstrated success working with national and international funding agencies, including proposal preparation, reporting, compliance, and grant management.

Skills and Competencies

  • Strong organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills needed to manage complex, multi-partner projects.
  • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) in English
  • Ability to coordinate diverse stakeholders across research, administrative, industry, and funding agency communities.
  • Financial management proficiency, including budget oversight, monitoring, and accurate reporting.
  • High degree of autonomy, creativity, proactivity, and responsibility.
  • Diplomatic approach and consensus-building skills.
  • Solid understanding of the Swiss and international research and innovation funding landscape.

Personal Qualities

  • Service-oriented, supportive, and adaptable.
  • Effective under pressure with strong prioritization skills and ability to manage competing deadlines.
  • Discretion, professionalism, and respect for confidentiality.
  • Conflict resolution skills and ability to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics.
  • Motivation to contribute to a national flagship research program with international visibility.

Languages

  • Excellent command of English is necessary.
  • Knowledge of French and German is an asset.

We offer

  • Excellent working conditions within a team in a dynamic, interdisciplinary and international working environment
  • Competitive salary, remote working may be possible for a portion of the time.

Informations

This position is based primarily at EPFL Valais Wallis in Sion, with opportunities for collaboration and work at the EPFL campus in Lausanne.

The official start date should be before May 1, 2026, with the possibility of an earlier start by mutual agreement. Employment contracts are issued on an annual basis and may be renewed by mutual agreement. This position is funded through the NCCR Separations, which operates in 4-year funding cycles with the potential for continuation up to a maximum of 12 years, subject to successful evaluations and renewal of the National Centre of Competence in Research.

Contract Start Date : 05/01/2026 

Activity Rate Min : 80.00 

Activity Rate Max : 100.00 

Contract Type: CDD

Reference: 2069 










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