Head of GxP Academy

The University of Zurich (UZH) is a leading institution known for its excellence in research and education. With a lively scientific community and a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, UZH encourages groundbreaking discoveries in the biomedical field. Our modern facilities and dedication to innovation create an ideal environment for researchers to expand knowledge and develop new solutions to global health challenges. The newly established Zurich Hub for Drug and Device Development (ZH3D) is a center of excellence for drug and device development. Existing GxP services are consolidated and enhanced with new services. The ZH3D is supporting innovation in drug and device development through GxP expertise and quality assurance, and the GxP Academy will offer a variety of established and new courses.

The goal is to establish and operate a GxP Academy to enable a coordinated and complete offer for GLP, GMP, GCP, as well as MDR/IVDR-related education. By centralizing coordination, academic and industry users are efficiently guided to the education they need, and complementary offers are established. This allows for an efficient establishment of the education. The ZH3D will not duplicate the efforts of other organizations, such as the CTC USZ, but rather collaborate with these institutions, enabling a broad range of educational possibilities.

Your responsibilities

1. Academy Establishment & Management

• Design the concept and structure of the GxP Academy, covering GLP, GMP, GCP, MDR/IVDR.
• Build a coordinated course portfolio, aligning academic and industry needs.
• Develop strategic collaborations with partner institutions (e.g., CTC USZ, industry players, regulatory bodies) to avoid duplication and ensure complementarity.
• Establish administrative and operational processes, including scheduling, participant registration, and certification.
• Monitor and continuously improve the quality and relevance of the curriculum.
• Build a digital teaching platform to allow for remote/international participation.

2. Teaching & Content Development

• Organize and deliver lectures, seminars, and workshops in the areas of GxP and regulatory science.
• Develop educational materials (slides, case studies, e-learning modules, exams).
• Incorporate practical, real-world examples from drug and device development.
• Mentor and guide participants, ensuring knowledge transfer to both academia and industry.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary contact point for academic, clinical, and industry stakeholders.
• Identify training needs and adapt offerings to evolving regulatory requirements.
• Represent the GxP Academy in external networks, conferences, and working groups.
• Have lectures approved for ECTS credit points.

4. Strategic & Financial Responsibility

• Manage the academy's budget and resources.
• Oversee cost-effective delivery of programs.
• Report progress and impact to the ZH3D Executive Board.

Your profile

• Advanced degree (PhD, MSc) in life sciences, pharmacy, medicine, or regulatory affairs.
• Several years of hands-on experience in regulated environments (industry, CRO, regulatory agency, or academia).
• Formal training or extensive experience in GxP and MDR/IVDR/ISO.
• Proven expertise in at least one GxP area, with working knowledge across the others.
• Demonstrated experience in lecturing, training, or curriculum development.
• Strong teaching and communication skills, able to adapt to audiences from academia and industry.
• Project management skills to build and scale the academy.
• Networking and collaboration skills to engage partners and stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking combined with hands-on implementation ability.
• Visionary mindset to shape a center of excellence for GxP education.
• High motivation for knowledge transfer and capacity building.
• Experience in setting up programs or initiatives in an academic context is a plus.
• Additional qualification in education, didactics, or adult learning is a plus.

What we offer

Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. More

Location

Zurich Hub for Drug and Device Development (ZH3D)

Information on your application

We welcome applications from candidates of all genders and backgrounds who share our passion for excellence and innovation in the biomedical sciences in an academic setting. The place of employment will be the University of Zurich. Compensation will be in accordance with UZH guidelines. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please send your application, including a cover letter stating your motivation, a curriculum vitae, a research and, if applicable, a teaching statement, and the contact information of three references as a PDF.

Further information

Questions about the job

Dr. Ralph Schiess
Founding CEO
ralph.schiess@uzh.ch

Working at UZH

The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!