Postdoctoral Researchers

Employment at UZH

For employment-related matters, your supervisor and UZH Human Resources are the best source of information. UZH's Global Affairs team is happy to help you find the right contact person, answer general questions about working in Switzerland or support you in case of language issues.

HR has collected the basic questions on the website UZH as employer. You'll find information on the probation period, working hours, family benefits, parental leave and more topics on the following website and document.

UZH as employer

UZH terms of employment

Employment as postdoctoral researcher

An employment at UZH is based on public law. Instead of a contract signed by both employee and employer, you will receive an agreement signed only by the employer. This is called an employment by means of an order ("Anstellungsverfügung"). 

As a postdoctoral researcher, you're employed non-permanently. The exact duration of your employment is stated in your employment order. A position as postdoctoral researcher is limited to six years. A position as senior teaching and/or research assistant is limited to a total of nine years (including postdoctoral years). As a project employee, your employment can last one to three years. This can be extended to up to nine years in total.

Please note that for scholars from non-EU/EFTA countries, the maximum period of studies is 8 years (including degree, doctorate and postdoctorate studies or employment). 

Due to the wide range of tasks and functions of postdoctoral researchers, information and services are divided into different categories:

UZH for Researchers focuses on research, funding and academic career development.

UZH for Teaching Staff addresses all issues regarding teaching at UZH, from quality to curricula, continuing education, coaching and many more.

UZH for Staff compiles all information on services, guidelines, offers (for instance the academic sports association ASVZ) and associations for UZH employees.

For detailed information on what you need to take into account upon relocating to Switzerland, please refer to our page Before and After Arrival.