Eleven professors appointed
At its meeting of 3 and 4 December 2025 and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed eleven professors. In addition, seven adjunct professorships were awarded.
New appointments
Dr Quentin Boehler (*1990), currently Senior Researcher at ETH Zurich, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Robotics in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. Quentin Boehler’s research focuses on developing minimally invasive robotic systems for clinical applications, with a particular emphasis on magnetically actuated robotic systems. The aim of his research is to shape the medical technologies of the future with the help of robotics. Quentin Boehler already has extensive teaching experience at various academic institutions. This appointment enables the Department to strengthen its expertise in robotics, especially in the important area of medical applications, while fostering interactions and synergies within ETH Zurich as well as with external academic and clinical partners.
Professor Francisco Cifuentes Utrero (*1977), currently Visiting Professor at Hochschule Düsseldorf, Germany, and Università Iuav di Venezia, Italy, as Full Professor of Architecture and Resources in the Department of Architecture. Francisco Cifuentes Utrero’s research explores the adaptive reuse and sustainable transformation of buildings and landscapes. The main emphasis of his work is on strategies for recycling materials, regenerating natural and urban ecosystems and developing circular design processes. His teaching is characterised by a strong commitment to ecological responsibility, social relevance and the close connection between theory and practice in construction. With the appointment of Francisco Cifuentes Utrero, the Department is strengthening its focus on sustainable, resource-efficient construction.
Dr Alexander Dikopoltsev (*1988), currently Lecturer at ETH Zurich, as Assistant Professor of Photonics in the Department of Physics. Alexander Dikopoltsev’s research deals with nonlinear optics, topological photonics, time-varying media, optoelectronic devices and frequency comb sources. His current focus is on the use of photonic lattices to control light in quantum cascade laser frequency combs. He holds one patent, has co-submitted two more, and has also been the recipient of an ERC Starting Grant. By appointing Alexander Dikopoltsev, the Department is strengthening its internal collaboration as well as the interaction with the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.
Dr Lukas Paul Fesenfeld (*1988), currently Lecturer and Senior Researcher at ETH Zurich, as Assistant Professor of Political Economy of Technology in the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences. Lukas Paul Fesenfeld conducts research on the political economy of technology, with a particular focus on environmental and climate technologies in the context of the energy and food system. He investigates the interactions between technological, social and political transformation, and the effects of the politicisation of technology. The appointment of Lukas Paul Fesenfeld, who has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant, enables the Department to strengthen its expertise in the subject areas of governance, public policy and political economy of technology.
Dr Jules Jacobs (*1989), currently Visiting Researcher at Jane Street in New York, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Theoretical Computer Systems in the Department of Computer Science. Jules Jacobs’ research deals with formal verification, programme logic and the theory of programming languages, with a particular focus on developing tools and methods for ensuring correctness properties in software systems. His work is noted for the way it combines theoretical principles with their implementation in practical tools. By appointing Jules Jacobs, the Department is strengthening its expertise in the two core fields of theoretical computer science and programming languages, while also encouraging collaborations with the subject areas of information security and information systems in particular.
Dr Celestine Mendler-Dünner (*1990), currently Principal Investigator at the ELLIS Institute in Tübingen, Germany, as Associate Professor of Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Computer Science. Celestine Mendler-Du?nner’s research explores how processes and models of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence can be reconciled with social values. As a pioneer in the field of responsible Artificial Intelligence, she investigates decision-making processes in social contexts, incentive mechanisms in digital markets, and the role of large language models in social applications. The appointment of Celestine Mendler-Dünner enables the Department to strengthen a future-oriented subject area of great importance to society.
Professor Daniela Mitterberger (*1988), currently Assistant Professor at Princeton University, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Architecture and Human Augmentation in the Department of Architecture. Daniela Mitterberger’s research focuses on the digital transformation of architecture and construction processes by means of extended reality (XR), spatial computing and robotics. Her work is contributing to redefining the boundaries of design and production in the built environment. Particular mention should be made of her open source framework for integrating extended reality and robotics, which promotes interdisciplinary cooperation in architecture, engineering and construction. With the appointment of Daniela Mitterberger, the Department is strengthening its expertise in the digital transformation of design and construction practice.
Professor Paolo Angelo Sossi (*1988), currently Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Experimental Planetology in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Paolo Angelo Sossi is one of the world's leading researchers in the field of planetary sciences. His research, which has won an ERC Starting Grant among other awards, covers three transformative areas: planet formation and development, differentiation in the inner solar system, and the diversity and habitability of exoplanets. Paolo Angelo Sossi is an outstanding researcher and a well-regarded lecturer, whose continuing work at ETH Zurich makes a significant contribution to the institution’s global visibility and excellence in the area of planetary sciences. It also represents an investment in ETH Zurich’s role as a future leader in the planetary and exoplanetary sciences.
Susanne Vécsey (*1973), currently co-owner of an architecture firm in Basel, as Full Professor of Architecture and Transformation in the Department of Architecture. Susanne Vécsey’s work focuses on the diligent handling of existing buildings. She has a particular interest in the preservation, expansion and reinterpretation of existing structures in the context of social and cultural change. Susanne Vécsey was already a professor at the Architecture Institute of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, while also serving on numerous professional and public committees, including as a board member of the Federation of Swiss Architects and of the Lucerne Cityscape Commission. Her appointment enables the Department to strengthen the links between research and practice in the field of construction work on existing buildings.
Promotions
Professor Andreas Moor (*1984), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Systems Physiology in the Department of Biosystems. Andreas Moor conducts research in the areas of single-cell and cancer biology, immunology and systems physiology. His goal is to gain a better understanding of diseases and enable the development of new therapeutic approaches. Andreas Moor has won several awards for his excellent, cutting-edge research, including an ERC Starting Grant. In addition, he has been especially successful at forging strategically important collaborations with top-class scientists and clinics. With his appointment, the Department is retaining a professor with enormous potential and also boosting the visibility and reputation of both the Department itself and ETH Zurich.
Professor Kaveh Razavi (*1987), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Systems Security in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Kaveh Razavi’s research is concerned with hardware in the context of security, with the aim of developing reliable, secure computer systems. His studies of hardware/software attacks and defence measures against DRAM-based main memory systems are more comprehensive than ever before. He has discovered a large number of serious vulnerabilities, thus permanently altering how systems security is viewed. Kaveh Razavi has won numerous awards, including an ERC Starting Grant. He co-owns two patents and has submitted three more. By appointing Kaveh Razavi, the Department is retaining an outstanding researcher and lecturer and boosting its international visibility in the field of systems security.
Award of the title of “Professor”
Dr Ramasubramanian Chitra (*1968), currently Private Lecturer and Senior Scientist at ETH Zurich, as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Physics. Ramasubramanian Chitra is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning researcher with an excellent track history in the theoretical physics of condensed matter. At present, her research focuses on the dynamics of parametrically driven systems – complex, non-equilibrium quantum many-body problems involving interactions, time dependence and dissipation. At ETH Zurich, she has established herself as a highly regarded member of the Institute for Theoretical Physics.
Dr Mauro Donegà (*1975), currently Lecturer and Senior Scientist at ETH Zurich, as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Physics. Mauro Donegà is an internationally recognised particle physicist with an outstanding track record. His research focuses on the physics of the Higgs boson, which was discovered at CERN in 2012 as the last missing particle in the Standard Model of particle physics and gives particles their mass. He leads international working groups and contributes to the Department of Physics through his commitment to teaching and supervising students, including as head of the Advanced Student Laboratory.
Dr Martin Hartmann (*1977), currently Lecturer and Senior Scientist at ETH Zurich, as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Environmental Systems Science. Martin Hartmann is an internationally recognised scientist in the fields of microbial ecology and soil science. He investigates the soil microbiome and its role in nutrient cycling, climate resilience and plant health, and develops molecular genetic methods for analysing the microbiome and linking its properties to measurements of ecosystem processes. Thanks to his commitment to teaching and education and his important research on the sustainable management and preservation of ecosystems, he makes a substantial contribution to the Department and to ETH Zurich.
Dr Benedikt Helgason (*1969), currently Private Lecturer and Senior Scientist at ETH Zurich, as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology. Benedikt Helgason is an internationally recognised expert in image-based modelling for bone biomechanics. His group focuses on gaining a better understanding of the causes and consequences of bone diseases. As co-director of the “Future Health Technologies” research programme and principal investigator at the Singapore-ETH Centre, Benedikt Helgason plays a leading role in the implementation of fundamental research findings in clinical applications.
Dr Alexander Leitner (*1977), currently Private Lecturer and Senior Scientist at ETH Zurich, as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biology. Alexander Leitner’s research makes a major contribution to the development of mass spectrometry and integrative structural biology, and he is regarded as a leading international expert on cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS). Alexander Leitner cultivates numerous collaborations throughout the world and is successful at attracting funding. In addition to his scientific achievements, he is highly committed to teaching and supports the interests of his Department and Institute in a variety of ways.
Dr Katrin Di Bella Meusburger (*1978), currently Lecturer and Group Leader at WSL, as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Environmental Systems Science. Katrin Di Bella Meusburger works closely with ETH Zurich in her capacity as a senior researcher and group leader at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) in Birmensdorf. Her research profile covers various aspects of terrestrial ecosystems, ranging from soil science to ecohydrology. She plays a very active role in teaching, networking, and fostering the careers of young academics. This appointment will enrich the Department and further strengthen the cooperation with WSL.
Dr Bjarne Steffen (*1982), currently Lecturer and Senior Scientist at ETH Zurich, as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences. Bjarne Steffen’s research explores questions related to the financing of new climate protection technologies. He is one of the small number of scientists globally who analyse the financial requirements associated with transitions in the real economy, the provision of capital and the role of public policy in meeting these requirements. His research is influential and politically relevant, and greatly enriches the Department and ETH Zurich as a whole.
Departures
Professor Michael Hampe (*1961), currently Full Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, is to retire at the end of July 2026. Having held teaching and research posts in Heidelberg, Kassel and Bamberg, Michael Hampe joined ETH Zurich in 2003 as a full professor of philosophy. His prize-winning interdisciplinary research combines philosophy and natural science and deals with topics such as evidence in the empirical sciences, enlightenment, narrativity and intercultural philosophy. He has made a notable contribution to ETH Zurich through his commitment to promoting science and research, his excellent teaching, his participation in academic self-government and his work as (also deputy) head of department. After his retirement, Michael Hampe will continue to teach as an Erskine Fellow at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.
Professor Tom Ilmanen (*1961), currently Full Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics, will retire at the end of December 2025. Tom Ilmanen joined ETH Zurich as a full professor in 1998, after having held teaching and research posts at Berkeley, Princeton, Madison, Leipzig, and elsewhere. His main research interests lie in differential geometry and calculus of variations, particularly in relation to weak solutions of geometric evolution equations such as curvature flow. He made a major contribution to the application of these methods to the general theory of relativity, and formulated key hypotheses that were confirmed in 2023. In addition to his commitment to teaching and research at ETH Zurich, Tom Ilmanen has boosted the standing of the Department through serving on a number of committees.
Professor Ruben Kretzschmar (*1961), currently Full Professor of Soil Chemistry in the Department of Environmental Systems Science, will retire at the end of July 2026. Ruben Kretzschmar joined ETH Zurich in 1994 as a postdoctoral researcher before being appointed an associate professor in 1999 and a full professor in 2002. His research focuses on coupled biogeochemical cycles of major and trace elements in soils and sediments, particularly in transition zones such as rice paddies, floodplains and peatlands. Using state-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques, he has made key contributions to the sustainable management of contaminated soils. He is co-author of a major German-language textbook on soil science, which has also been translated into English. Ruben Kretzschmar has served the Department and ETH Zurich in various roles, including head of institute, director of studies, member of the Teaching Commission and member of the Lecturers’ Conference (KdL).
Professor Hans-Andrea Loeliger (*1961), currently Full Professor of Signal Processing in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, is to retire at the end of July 2026. Hans-Andrea Loeliger obtained his first degree and doctorate at ETH Zurich. After working in Sweden and for his own engineering firm, he was appointed to a full professorship in the year 2000. His research interests lie in the fields of signal processing, machine learning, information theory, quantum systems, error-correcting codes, digital communication, electronic circuits and neural computation. He has made a particularly notable contribution to model-based signal processing. Hans-Andrea Loeliger has served ETH Zurich in various capacities, including as an excellent teacher, as a director of studies, by helping to set up the Master's programme in Data Science, and through his commitment as deputy head of the Signal and Information Processing Laboratory.
Professor Martin Schweizer (*1961), currently Full Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics, will retire at the end of July 2026. Martin Schweizer obtained both his first degree and his doctorate in mathematics at ETH Zurich. Following professorships in G?ttingen, Berlin and Munich, he joined ETH Zurich in 2003 as a full professor. His research covers financial mathematics, probability theory and insurance mathematics, with particular reference to incomplete markets. Through his work for the NCCR FINRISK, Martin Schweizer has made a decisive contribution to ETH Zurich’s current reputation as one of the world’s leading centres for financial mathematics. He serves on a wide range of scientific committees and has also undertaken the teaching and supervision of numerous early-career researchers.
Professor Viola Vogel (*1959), currently Full Professor of Applied Mechanobiology in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology, is to retire at the end of January 2026. After time spent working in G?ttingen, Berkeley and Seattle, Viola Vogel joined ETH Zurich in 2004 as a full professor. Her pioneering research in applied mechanobiology investigates how mechanical forces control molecular processes, and she has made a substantial contribution to the clinical application of her findings. She has won many awards, including an ERC Advanced Grant and an honorary doctorate from Tampere University. Viola Vogel participates in numerous scientific committees and has chaired the Tenure Committee of ETH Zurich. She has also taught countless students and served as head of department and deputy head of department.
Professor Werner Wegscheider (*1963), currently Full Professor of Solid State Physics in the Department of Physics, will retire at the end of April 2026. After conducting research at AT&T Laboratories and holding a professorship in Regensburg and guest residencies in Santa Barbara, Pisa and Paris, he was appointed a full professor at ETH Zurich in 2009. Werner Wegscheider is a pioneer in the manufacture and investigation of ultra-pure semiconductor materials and has made a major contribution to research into the quantum Hall effect and quantum computing. His work has resulted in over 800 publications and numerous collaborations. He has been a committed teacher, supervised over 60 doctoral and postdoctoral students and been head of the Laboratory for Solid State Physics, as well as President of the University Assembly of ETH Zurich from 2016 to 2022.
Professor Renato Zenobi (*1961), currently Full Professor of Analytical Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, is to retire at the end of July 2026. Renato Zenobi joined ETH Zurich in 1995 after having held research posts in the USA and at EPFL. He has been a full professor since the year 2000. He is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning scientist who has made groundbreaking contributions to mass spectrometry and nanoscale chemical analysis, in particular through the development of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). At ETH Zurich, Renato Zenobi has successfully supervised over 80 doctoral candidates and more than 50 postdoctoral students. He has also had a long-term impact on ETH Zurich by serving as President of the University Assembly and of the Lecturers’ Conference (KdL).