Dominique Arlettaz has served as Rector of the University of Lausanne since September 2005. His current research focuses on algebraic topology, cohomology of groups and algebraic K-theory.

After earning a Doctorate in Mathematics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ) in 1983, Professor Arlettaz worked as a researcher at Northwestern University (USA; 1984-1985) before returning to Switzerland as First Assistant in the Department of Mathematics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL; 1985-1987). In 1988 he joined the Institute of Mathematics at the University of Lausanne, first as Assistant Professor and then Professor from 1994. He additionally served as President of the Mathematics Department (1996-2000), Dean of the Science Faculty (2000-2003) and Vice-Rector of the University (2003-2006). He has also been Invited Professor at Ohio State University (USA; 1987) and at MacMaster University (Canada; 1989).

Professor Arlettaz is president of many academic councils in Switzerland.