Career Opportunities with Franklin University Switzerland

Division: Arts and Cultures
Position Type: Part-Time, Academic Year 2024-2025

Application Deadline: June 1, 2024

Reports To: Associate Professor Fabio Ferrari, Chair of the Division of Arts and Cultures

Franklin University Switzerland seeks a dynamic and committed part-time Adjunct Professor of Studio Art specializing in sculpture for the 2024-2025 academic year. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering engaging and rigorous instruction to undergraduate students in various studio art courses. The position requires expertise in both theoretical and practical aspects of studio art, with a focus on fostering creativity and technical proficiency in students.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and teach undergraduate courses in sculpture, incorporating a range of traditional and contemporary techniques, concepts, and mediums.
• Create a supportive and inclusive learning environment that encourages experimentation, critical thinking, and artistic growth among students.
• Provide constructive feedback on student work and facilitate individualized instruction to support student development.
• Develop and assess course materials, assignments, and learning outcomes in accordance with departmental standards.
• Collaborate with colleagues to contribute to the ongoing development and enhancement of the studio art curriculum.
• Maintain regular office hours for student consultation and academic advising.
• Participate in departmental meetings and other university service activities as required.

Qualifications:

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree or equivalent in Studio Art, Sculpture, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated expertise in sculpture, with a strong portfolio of personal artistic work and teaching experience.
• Experience teaching studio art courses at the undergraduate level, preferably in a university or college setting.
• Knowledge of contemporary art practices, art history, and critical theory relevant to sculpture.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire students from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively manage time and resources.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae (CV), a cover letter outlining their qualifications and teaching philosophy, a portfolio of personal artwork, and contact information for three professional references to Associate Professor Fabio Ferrari (fferrari@fus.edu), Chair of the Division of Arts and Cultures, by June 1, 2024. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Franklin University Switzerland is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Franklin University Switzerland invites applications for the position of Instructor in Mathematics and Chemistry, beginning August 2025. The position is full-time and renewable.

We seek candidates with a Ph.D. in Mathematics, Chemistry, or a related field at the time of hire, with a clear commitment to teaching undergraduate students and a strong understanding of the North American-style liberal arts and sciences context in which students learn at Franklin.

Franklin’s multinational faculty, staff, and student body collaborate to create a unique learning environment in which every program forms interdisciplinary connections with the liberal arts and sciences. The ideal candidate will be motivated to collaborate productively with colleagues in other areas of the curriculum, will have experience with innovative pedagogical methods including experiential project-based learning, and will be ready to forge connections between Franklin’s classrooms, laboratories, and Franklin’s broader context in Switzerland and beyond.

A typical teaching load will be eight courses per year (24 credit hours / 48-50 ECTS annually). The successful candidate will be expected to teach across a range of Mathematics and lab-based Chemistry courses, and to help evolve the curriculum to reflect emerging trends and student needs. Potential courses include introductory- and intermediate-level Mathematic and Statistics courses, as well as General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry.

The responsibilities of this position extend beyond teaching to include service in support of the Math and Sciences curriculum. Specifically, the successful candidate will manage the Quantitative Literacy program at Franklin, which includes overseeing the administration and grading of the Mathematics and Statistics placement exams, helping to recruit Adjunct faculty members for Mathematics and Statistics courses, and serving as the point-person for advising questions and transfer credit equivalencies in the Quantitative Literacy domain. Additionally, the successful candidate will oversee Franklin’s science lab facilities, ensuring the safe, efficient, and effective use of equipment, materials, and spaces to support faculty and student learning.

As a small institution, Franklin faculty and staff regularly collaborate on a range of issues that are essential to the well-being of the campus and the community. We seek adaptable, collegial, and engaged candidates eager to contribute in this environment to a positive and productive culture at Franklin.

Franklin University Switzerland is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive academic community. As a multinational institution, we value the richness that different cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences bring to our learning environment. In alignment with Swiss principles of gender equality, we actively promote equitable opportunities and support initiatives to advance diversity in academia and leadership. We welcome applicants who share our commitment to inclusion and who will contribute to Franklin’s vibrant, global academic culture, in which the rights and dignity of all are respected.

The language of instruction is English, but ideally, candidates will also be conversant in one of the official languages of Switzerland. Please note that while Swiss labor regulations require preference for Swiss and EU citizens, we encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will consider all applicants based on their academic and professional merit.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a teaching statement, and recent teaching evaluations, along with contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin in early March and will continue until the position is filled. Send all materials as email attachments in pdf or doc/docx format to imcsearch@fus.edu

Franklin University Switzerland is seeking a part-time instructor to teach the course Gender and Sexuality in a Global Context within the Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies program. This writing-intensive course provides an interdisciplinary introduction to key concepts in gender studies, examining how gender operates across different cultural domains and how it intersects with race, culture, ethnicity, and class.

The course meets during the Fall semester (late August through mid-December 2025) on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 12:45. Instructors should be prepared to co-design the course content and provide detailed feedback on multiple drafts of student writing. The methodology adopted by the instructor is flexible, while the learning outcomes and quality assurance standards are set and assessed by the university.

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies, or Gender Studies.

Please send your CV and a cover letter to fferrari@fus.edu.

Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview in English.

Franklin University Switzerland (https://www.fus.edu/academics/divisions/communication-history-and-politics) invites applications for a PhD position in the SNSF research project DIVIDE of Professor Oliver Strijbis.

Franklin is a private liberal arts university in Lugano (Sorengo), Switzerland, accredited as a Swiss university institute by the Swiss Accreditation Council, authorized to offer Swiss-accredited Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral degrees. Franklin is also accredited as an American university by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in the USA, authorized to offer US-accredited Bachelor and Master degrees.

The starting date for the position is September 1, 2025 or upon agreement. Funding is guaranteed for four years total, conditional on the approval of the PhD proposal by the end of the first year. Gross annual salary will be CHF 47,000 to 50,000 (as per SNF Funding conditions).

The PhD student will participate in the Political Science doctoral program, which offers advanced methodological and substantive training as well as professional development. The PhD candidate will contribute to the project DIVIDE, which investigates the effects of secession referenda on interethnic relations, and will develop and conduct their own PhD project in the broad areas of the project. The PhD candidate will be able to dedicate at least 80% of the working time for research activities.

The position requires:

• An MA degree in political science or a related discipline (Evidence that graduation can be expected before September 1 is also sufficient)
• Excellent Master's thesis and/or final grades
• Strong interest in political behavior and/or nationalism
• Very good knowledge of quantitative methods
• Motivation to pursue an academic career
• Ability to work both independently and in a team
• Good working knowledge of English
• A commitment to learn basic Italian (at least A1) within two years
• Command of additional languages relevant to the project is welcome.

Further inquiries can be directed to Prof. Oliver Strijbis (ostrijbis@fus.edu). Information about the research activities of the project leader is available on Oliver Strijbis' website (https://www.fus.edu/academics/faculty/oliver-strijbis).

Please send your application electronically as one PDF-file comprising your letter of interest, CV, transcripts, a writing sample (e.g. Master thesis), and the contact details of two people willing to serve as a reference to this email address: DIVIDEPhD@fus.edu

The deadline for applications is June 30, 2025.

Franklin University Switzerland (https://www.fus.edu/academics/divisions/communication-history-and-politics) invites applications for a Postdoc position (100%) in the SNSF research project DIVIDE of Professor Oliver Strijbis.

Franklin is a private liberal arts university in Lugano (Sorengo), Switzerland, accredited as a Swiss university institute by the Swiss Accreditation Council, authorized to offer Swiss-accredited Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral degrees. Franklin is also accredited as an American university by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in the USA, authorized to offer US-accredited Bachelor and Master degrees.

The starting date for the position is September 1, 2025 or later by agreement. Funding is guaranteed for four years total, with a gross annual salary of approximately CHF 90,000 (as per SNF Funding conditions).

We are seeking a post-doctoral researcher with research experience and/or interest in political behavior and/or nationalism. The Postdoc will lead a working package of the project DIVIDE, which investigates the effects of secession referenda on interethnic relations. The Postdoc will be able to dedicate at least 80% of the working time for research activities and teach one course per semester, on average.

The position requires:

• A PhD degree in political science or a related discipline
• A strong interest in academic research, ideally proven through internationally visible publications, third-party funding, or related research activities
• Strong interest in political behavior and/or nationalism
• Excellent knowledge of quantitative methods
• Ability to work independently and lead a small team
• Strong command of English
• A commitment to learn basic Italian (at least A1) within two years
• Command of additional languages relevant to the project is welcome.

What we offer:

• Integration in a dynamic division with highly motivated and engaged members
• Possibility to co-author within the research group and beyond
• Possibility to develop an independent research agenda
• Opportunity to develop leadership abilities
• Financial and academic support from the research group and the University

Further inquiries can be directed to Prof. Oliver Strijbis (ostrijbis@fus.edu). Information about the research activities of the project leader is available on Oliver Strijbis' website (https://www.fus.edu/academics/faculty/oliver-strijbis).

Please send your application electronically as a single PDF-file comprising your letter of interest, CV, transcripts, a writing sample (e.g. publications, job market paper), and the contact details of two people willing to serve as a reference to this email address: DIVIDEPostdoc@fus.edu

The deadline for applications is June 15, 2025.

About Franklin

Franklin University Switzerland, founded in 1969, is one of the first institutions to bring Liberal Arts education to Europe and to be recognized by both US and Swiss accreditation agencies. A leader in international education, we provide an experiential and multinational learning environment through small classes, strong student and faculty relationships, a residential campus, and hands-on Academic Travel experiences. We promote intellectual curiosity and critical thinking through our cross cultural, international learning experiences. We strive for academic excellence, and foster interdisciplinary opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff to support innovative and sustainable approaches to learning and research. We acknowledge the accomplishments and global impact of our community through a culture of trust that respects diversity, equity, inclusion and continuous improvement.

This role is part of our Admissions Team, ideally based on campus but can be performed remotely (ideally within the CET time zone).

Position Overview: Inquiry Engagement Officer (Temporary, 3 Months – Potential for Extension)

As an Inquiry Engagement Officer, you will play a critical role in engaging and nurturing prospective student leads generated through Franklin’s digital marketing campaigns, online portals, and other recruitment sources.

Key Responsibilities:

• Proactively engage with prospective undergraduate students at the top of the funnel (as well as their parents / families) who have expressed interest in Franklin’s academic programs.
• Identify strong student profiles that align with the university’s diverse academic offerings and who show potential to thrive within Franklin’s global learning environment.
• Conduct outreach via phone calls and maintain ongoing communication through multiple channels including email, WhatsApp, live chat, and other messaging platforms. Your approach will be highly personalized and student-centered, in keeping with the overall Franklin experience.
• Guide qualified leads through the admissions funnel, ensuring they progress toward submitting a complete application, and refer them efficiently to the appropriate Admissions Representative
• Respond to inquiries in a positive, informed, and professional manner, confidently communicating Franklin’s unique value proposition and strengths.
• Ensure timely follow-up with all leads, in accordance with established KPIs and engagement best practices.

About you

This role is ideal for a graduate with 1- or 2-years’ experience in student recruitment, sales, inquiry management and customer service.

The candidate must be an excellent communicator, i.e., with exceptional listening skills, an ability to clearly articulate ideas, with a talent for advising and influencing, fluent in English and with proficient knowledge of at least 2 additional languages preferred. The role requires sales and organizational skills, time-management as well as being KPI focused and digitally literate.

Other Key Skills:

Active Listening & Empathy

• Understanding the student’s background, motivations, and concerns.
• Personalizing communication based on what truly matters to the student and their family.

Lead Qualification & Prioritization

• Ability to assess a lead’s intent and readiness
• Knowing when to focus on high yield leads vs. nurture long-term prospects.

CRM & Data Management

• Logging interactions, tracking lead behavior, and using insights to time outreach strategically.

Persuasive & Personalized Communication

• Writing and speaking in a way that is warm, clear, and tailored.
• Crafting emails or messages that spark curiosity and drive action (not just inform).

Follow-Up Strategy & Consistency

• Creating follow-up workflows that feel natural, not pushy.
• Using multiple channels (email, WhatsApp, phone) effectively and appropriately.

Storytelling & Value Articulation

• Presenting the university’s value proposition through real stories—student outcomes, campus life, alumni.

Cross-Cultural Communication

• Being culturally sensitive, especially when working with international leads.
• Understanding different decision-making processes across families and regions.

Goal Orientation & Funnel Awareness

• Understanding where each lead is in the admissions funnel and the next step needed.
• Being motivated by conversion targets while being guided by student success.

Position Type

This is a temporary 3-month role, with the potential for extension based on institutional needs and individual performance.

Applicants can expect a welcoming, international and intercultural working and academic environment filled by a strong sense of companionship and belongingness.

Franklin University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For further information, please see the university website: https://www.fus.edu/.

Please note that due to Swiss visa and work permit regulations, applications from Swiss or EU nationals will be given priority in the evaluation process.

Only positive applications will be notified.