UniDistance Suisse invites applications for the position of Professor in Learning Technologies & Distance Education. The new professor will lead innovative disciplinary and interdisciplinary research at the intersection of education, technology, and society. Candidates are expected to establish a research agenda that strengthens UniDistance’s position as a leader in digital learning and contribute to advancing distance education through innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence and data-driven methods. Teaching obligations will consist of 2 modules per year for an assistant professor and 4 modules per year for an associate or full professor. Assistant professors will have 125% of assistant positions, and associate and full professors will have 200%. Professors will also supervise PhD students in the field of digital distance teaching and learning. The new professor will play a key role in establishing a center for digital learning and teaching and will collaborate with the Educational Development Unit in Distance Learning of UniDistance Suisse to ensure innovative and effective approaches to digital distance education. Collaboration with colleagues across faculties will also be crucial. We seek a professor who will contribute to the overall development of UniDistance Suisse beyond the boundaries of the discipline.

Your tasks

• Conduct innovative research in digital distance teaching and learning within higher education.
• Establish and lead an interdisciplinary competence center for digital distance teaching and learning and network with other national and international competence centers in this field.
• Play a strategic role in advancing UniDistance Suisse’s position as a leader in distance education and innovative learning methodologies.
• Supervise doctoral and master students conducting research in digital distance teaching and learning.
• Publish research findings in reputable, peer-reviewed journals focusing on digital teaching, learning, and educational technologies.
• Acquire competitive third-party funding (e.g., from the Swiss National Science Foundation and other Swiss or international research funding organizations).
• Explore and implement emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and/or data-driven approaches to enhance digital teaching and learning).
• Collaborate with professors across UniDistance Suisse to conduct interdisciplinary research and develop and improve study programs and modules, integrating research-based approaches and innovative tools focusing on distance education.
• Transfer knowledge to broader audiences through translational activities.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in digital teaching and learning by designing tools and methods that support learners of all backgrounds and abilities.
• Actively engage in academic self-administration and governance of UniDistance Suisse.

• A PhD with proven research excellence in digital teaching and learning.
• Proven experience in developing, implementing, and/or evaluating learning tools.
• Strong interest in and experience with didactic principles and higher education teaching methods related to mathematics, computer science, psychology, history, law, or economics.
• Outstanding national and international recognition as a researcher in digital education.
• Teaching experience at the university level (incl. supervision).
• Expertise in emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, virtual/augmented reality, and/or data-driven methods in educational contexts).
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively nationally and internationally.
• A strong commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in digital teaching and learning.
• Experience in research management and a successful track record of acquiring third-party funding, required for associate or full professorship levels.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken), with a willingness and institutional support to develop proficiency in German and French within the first 2-3 years.