Head of Geospatial AI - Foundation Models and Geo-Intelligence Platform

ETH Zurich seeks a Director to lead the Geo-Intelligence Team, defining the technical strategy for multimodal foundation models and the shared Geo-Intelligence Platform in Root, CH.

The successful candidate will direct the Geo-Intelligence Team at ETH Swiss GeoLab, taking full ownership of the development and implementation of geospatial AI, data infrastructure, and shared platform capabilities. This role involves setting the technical roadmap for multimodal foundation models, agentic AI systems, and the underlying compute infrastructure to ensure scalable and operational solutions.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the technical strategy for geospatial AI within ETH Swiss GeoLab.
• Design the target architecture for multimodal foundation models, agentic systems, data pipelines, and the shared Geo-Intelligence Platform.
• Establish technical standards, priorities, and development principles that align with the GeoLab’s mission.
• Lead the design, development, evaluation, and operationalization of multimodal geospatial foundation models and agentic capabilities.
• Oversee prototyping, benchmarking, validation, and integration activities to ensure practical utility.
• Ensure technical outputs are reliable, reusable, and operationally relevant rather than isolated research projects.
• Adapt the technical roadmap and manage the delivery of the shared Geo-Intelligence Platform.
• Coordinate with CSCS, internal ETH units, and external technology providers to ensure scalability, security, and efficiency.
• Translate mission requirements into technical capabilities and delivery plans in collaboration with Mission Leads.
• Assess feasibility, define milestones, allocate resources, and balance trade-offs between mission-specific development and platform components.
• Lead technical collaborations with ETH groups, research institutions, hyperscalers, companies, and open-source communities.
• Structure joint development activities and evaluate external capabilities to accelerate delivery.

Requirements

• Master’s or PhD in computer science, machine learning, geo-informatics, engineering, remote sensing, or a related field.
• Several years of experience leading technical AI/ML, geospatial data, or large-scale software and platform development.
• Demonstrated experience in defining technical architectures and managing interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong expertise in machine learning, multimodal foundation models, and agentic AI or reasoning systems.
• Excellent understanding of geospatial AI, Earth observation, and remote sensing.
• Experience with HPC, cloud infrastructure, or distributed computing environments.
• Proven ability to build reliable, reusable, and operational technical capabilities in an agile manner.
• Experience working with academic, infrastructure, technology, or industry partners.
• Excellent written and spoken English proficiency.

Nice to have

• German or French language skills.

About the company

ETH Zurich is a world-leading university specializing in science and technology. It promotes independent thinking and fosters an environment that inspires excellence. The institution works collaboratively to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

• ETH Zurich is recognized as one of the world’s leading universities in science and technology.
• The university promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence.
• The institution works together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.