Risk Manager / Safety Manager (m/f/d) 80-100%

• 08 September 2026
• 80 - 100%
• Indefinite duration
• Dübendorf

Eawag is the water research institute of the ETH domain (Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology), connected internationally. It conducts research, is engaged in training, and intervenes in specialized consulting. It thus pursues two parallel objectives: meeting immediate human water needs and preserving the functionality and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.

Risk Manager / Safety Manager (m/f/d) 80-100% #

Safety requires people who assume responsibility.

At Eawag, people from different disciplines work together on solutions for one of the central challenges of our time: the protection and sustainable use of the water resource. For research, laboratory activities, technical facilities, and daily operations to proceed safely and reliably, a professional and forward-looking culture of safety and risk is necessary. For this demanding and versatile task, we are looking as soon as possible for a committed personality as

In this key role, you will actively contribute to shaping the safety and risk management of Eawag, develop it, and ensure that risks are detected, assessed, and controlled effectively from the start. You combine strategic risk management with operational safety responsibility and work in close collaboration with management, line managers, as well as specialized and safety managers.

Risk Management (40 - 50%)

• You coordinate and develop the risk management system at the institute level as well as the associated processes, methods, and tools, and ensure their implementation.
• You advise management and risk owners on strategic and methodological issues and prepare decision bases for the competent bodies.
• You coordinate the annual risk management process and support the relevant research and support areas in the identification, assessment, and treatment of risks.
• You are responsible for the maintenance and quality assurance of the risk catalog as well as the monitoring of risk management measures.
• You coordinate and write the annual risk report for management and the ETH Board.
• You are the interlocutor for audits and reviews of risk management and coordinate the necessary documents and statements.
• You develop information, training, and awareness measures and represent Eawag in the relevant specialized committees of the ETH domain.

Operational Safety (40 - 50%)

• You assume operational responsibility for the coordination of safety at the Dübendorf (ZH) and Kastanienbaum (LU) sites and advise management on safety measures as well as on protection objectives and safety concepts.
• You coordinate the development and quality assurance of safety regulations and training adapted to laboratory, field, and experimental activities.
• Within the scope of your competencies, you are responsible for general occupational safety and health protection as well as the identification of hazards, the planning of measures, and the monitoring of safety-related regulations.
• You implement safety-related measures in your area of responsibility and call upon external experts if necessary.
• You coordinate and monitor the emergency organization and exercises, support the internal crisis organization in the event of an incident, and ensure the deputization of the crisis group management.
• You participate in the occupational health management team or the competent steering group and coordinate the interfaces between occupational safety, health protection, and occupational health management.
• You coordinate and accompany official audits, reviews, and inspections and maintain collaboration with authorities, specialized services, and external safety partners.
• You represent Eawag in the safety committees and working groups of the ETH domain.

Your profile

• Several years of professional experience in risk management, safety, or quality, ideally in a complex research, academic, or technical environment.
• University degree or equivalent qualification, ideally related to risk management, safety, natural sciences, technology, or a related field.
• In-depth knowledge of risk management, ideally according to ISO 31000, as well as a good understanding of safety and health protection themes.
• ASGS specialist training or ASGS expert.
• Long-standing experience in advising executives as well as in the coordination of processes, projects, and cross-functional groups.
• Structured, autonomous, and solution-oriented way of working as well as the ability to clearly convey complex subjects.
• Confident communication in German, in another national language and in English, as well as a poised and engaging attitude towards different stakeholders.

At Eawag, we create a work environment where people with diverse experiences, strengths, and perspectives can involve themselves and develop. With us, you participate in the design! We promote belonging, exchange, and mutual understanding. We implement structures that allow for the reconciliation of work and other areas of life and work continuously to eliminate barriers.

Do you have specific requirements regarding the application process, the position, or do you need more information? Talk to us - as far as our possibilities allow, we will gladly support you with flexible solutions