Listed on Orbital Diplomat 28 Aug 2026
ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading science and technology universities, and through its strategic initiative ETH Zurich Space is systematically expanding its activities in space research and technology — recruiting world-class researchers and building collaborations with leading partners from academia, space agencies, and industry including ESA, NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and major commercial space actors. This Legal Counsel position is the dedicated space law and contracts specialist within ETH's Research Contracts Group (approximately 20 legal professionals), serving as the primary legal point of contact for all space-related research activities at ETH Zurich Space and ETH Swiss GeoLab. The postholder will independently review, draft, and negotiate complex national and international research contracts — including Research Collaboration Agreements, Consortium Agreements, and NDAs — with space agencies, research institutions, industry partners, and start-ups; advise researchers on intellectual property, liability, and contractual risk; provide support on export controls and dual-use goods (ITAR/EAR); and develop contract templates and standard processes for efficient space project management. This is a rare opportunity for a space law practitioner to serve as the institutional legal anchor for one of Europe's most ambitious university space programmes — with direct engagement with ESA, NASA, and JPL frameworks and a portfolio spanning both traditional space hardware and Earth observation, geo-information processing, and space data applications. The position is permanent and based at ETH Zurich's main campus.
University degree in law or equivalent legal qualification, combined with a strong understanding of technical contexts At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in international contract law or research management, ideally in an international organisation, tech/space company, space authority, or university In-depth knowledge of Swiss and international contract law Fluent German and English, written and spoken (both mandatory at negotiation level) Experience with ESA or NASA-related contracts a strong advantage Knowledge of international space law and space sector regulatory issues an advantage Experience in export control law (ITAR/EAR) and dual-use goods particularly welcome Experience in intellectual property law, technology transfer, or research law an advantage Application via ETH online portal only; questions to Andreas Klöti at andreas.kloeti@sl.ethz.ch (no applications)