Head of IAM Institute for Applied Media Science (Professorship)

About the role

The ZHAW is looking for a leader of the IAM Institute for Applied Media Science, a department of around 60 employees in the Department of Applied Linguistics. The position is full-time (50–100 %) and starts on 1 March 2027 or later by agreement. The incumbent shapes the institute's strategic and academic development, strengthens its research-based and practice-oriented profile and takes part in the development of the Department of Applied Linguistics.

Key responsibilities

• Strategic leadership and development of the institute
• Leading the directly subordinate scientific and administrative staff
• Practical teaching and research, preferably on media-mediated public communication
• Networking of the institute internally and externally, nationally and internationally
• Promoting employees in their fields and career development
• Participation in the Department of Applied Linguistics leadership team and representation duties for the whole department

Required profile

• Leadership experience, preferably at university level and/or in communication or journalism
• A PhD on language and communication
• Solid experience in university teaching and research or in the institute's fields
• Ability to develop content innovatively and in close connection with practice
• Entrepreneurial thinking, strong international network and knowledge of the Swiss education landscape and multilingual Switzerland
• German and English at a high level, ideally with at least one additional native language

If the regulatory requirements are met, a professorship is provided; tandem applications are welcome. Applications are open until 13 December 2026; interviews are expected in early January 2027, followed by assessments.