postdoc in switzerland

You have a Ph.D. and your are looking for at postdoctoral position in Switzerland. Find below some basic information about how and where to start a postdoc in Switzerland.

Where?

Postdocs can be done in one of the 12 official universities. Private companies and research centers offers some postdoctoral positions as well especially in biotechnologies and pharmaceuticals.

Who?

To start a posdoc you usually need to have a Ph.D. from a recognized university. Ph.D. from industrial countries are usually recognized.

How long?

The duration of a postdoc is not standard, and is usually between 1 and 6 years depending on the research field and the university. A lot of universities have time limits, i.e. the maximal contract for a postdoc is limited to 6 years. The duration may also be related to research grants limited in time.

How much?

Postdoctoral researchers are usually hired by the university or the company. The salary greatly varies from place to place: from 3000.- CHF to more than 8000.- CHF per month (see salary section). The salary must be indicated in the contract of employment. Funding comes from the university, from the Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF, from third-party funds or is mostly a mixture of these sources.

How?

The working conditions varies from institution to institution but postdocs are in general full time employed. They can use this full time for research activities. Some are also involved in teaching activities although giving regular lectures is in principle reserved to professors or lecturers [Oberassistant (de), maître-assistant (fr)].

How to proceed?

First figure out what subject you are interested in, then find out which university or company is doing research in this field, then find the professor or research group whose work interests you most and contact him/her directly to ask for opportunities.

The other way is to look at the science job portal of myScience.ch.

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