Paul Scherrer Institut

Research

Villigen PSI

more than 1000 employees

Working@PSI means turning smart ideas into practical applications. In an international work environment, we research sustainable solutions for the most pressing questions in society, economy, and science. Our location in the heart of Aargau hosts leading research areas, and we invite passionate professionals to join us with their diverse skills and perspectives to drive our work in revolutionary directions.

Our Employees

Our employees are the driving force behind future innovations. The PSI employs 2,200 people, about a quarter of whom are trainees, doctoral students, or postdocs playing a crucial role in our pursuit of excellence. Additionally, the iLab student laboratory offers students early insights into the world of science, fostering their interest in research.

Creating Knowledge - Today for Tomorrow

The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences in Switzerland. Our research focuses on four key areas: future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation, and fundamental science. The PSI develops, constructs, and operates complex large-scale research facilities. Each year, more than 2,500 scientists from around the world come to the PSI to conduct experiments that are not possible elsewhere.

At PSI, "Health Innovation" focuses on advancing cancer diagnostics and treatments with innovative technologies and radioactive agents, especially for early detection.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

At PSI, we embrace diversity and see it as a value. Our campus is home to people with diverse backgrounds and skills, all working together with mutual respect. As a federally affiliated institution, we take our social responsibility seriously and are committed to exemplary conduct in terms of equal opportunity and inclusion. We are proud to be awarded the Friendly Work Space label. To uphold this standard, we invest in a respectful work culture free from stereotypes and prejudice. Our support programs for professional development, work-life balance, and targeted measures to promote women and people with disabilities demonstrate our genuine commitment to an inclusive work environment.

SINQ: View into the neutron guide hall of the Swiss Spallation Neutron Source.

At PSI, highly motivated and inquisitive employees work on the most exciting questions in science and technology.

Christian Rüegg, Director of the Paul Scherrer Institute

PSI is proud to be awarded the Friendly Work Space label, as we actively commit to Swiss standards for workplace health management (BGM) and continuously implement measures to promote the health and well-being of our employees.

Employees and activities (basis: 2023)

PSI staff	2'300
Employees in technical or engineering professions	52 %
Scientists	37 %
Employees in administration	9 %
Apprentices	5 %
PSI employees with teaching duties at both ETH and universities	100
Published scientific articles per year	1'400

Proton Therapy

Over 10,000 cancer radiation treatments have already been conducted at the Proton Therapy Center.

Visiting scientists

Around 2'400 researchers from all over the world visit us every year.

Und was sagen die Mitarbeitenden?

zum mitarbeiterpuls

Childcare at PSI

The Kiwi Daycare Center offers children aged three months to school entry age spaces for play, freedom, and growth right next to the PSI campus. Our full-day care from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm (including lunch) creates a warm and nurturing environment where children and parents can feel completely at home at PSI. Each child is individually and age-appropriately cared for to optimize their social skills and independence.

"At our facility, every child is cared for individually, according to their age, and with a lot of heart." - Simone Brunner, Director of Kiwi

Training Opportunities at PSI

The PSI Education Center, as part of the lead campus, offers high-quality training and further education in areas such as radiation protection for medicine, civil protection, transportation, and nuclear facilities, as well as interdisciplinary courses. Employees benefit from a unique learning environment at the forefront of research in future technologies, energy, climate, and health innovation.

The lead campus is a joint platform of the four research institutes of the ETH Domain that offers customer-oriented, high-qualitytopic-specific training and continuing education in a highly efficient way.

Your Apprenticeship at Paul Scherrer Institute

The vocational training at the Paul Scherrer Institute educates over 100 apprentices in 17 future-oriented professions in a unique high-tech environment, where you work on real projects and gain valuable practical experience. Our high quality standard is reflected in the excellent achievements of our apprentices. Your dedication could also soon lay the groundwork for our future. Are you ready to embark on your journey into the future with us?

Great opportunities and things do in the area around our company

Employee tip

Catering facilities at PSI Villigen

Freshly prepared every day: choice of menus, salad buffet, warm buffet and patisserie.

Employee tip

Sportclub PSI Villigen

Whether it's yoga or jogging over lunch, treating yourself to a massage, playing tennis or organising a board game contest after work: employees benefit from Sportclub PSI with over 30 activities.

Employee tip

Mobility at PSI Villigen

As large as a village yet a pedestrian zone: Mobility at PSI is facilitated by the 200 provided rental bikes at Velospots, scooters, postal buses, electric or Mobility vehicles, or simply by walking.

Employee tip

High tech surrounded by pure nature

70% of the PSI site is designed in harmony with nature. For these efforts, the research institute was awarded the quality label of the Foundation “Natur & Wirtschaft” for the third time.

Families | Culture

Vindonissa

Vindonissa, located in what is today called Windisch, was an important Roman legion's camp. The ruins of the camp are open for viewing. The monastery church of Königsfelden, which is well known for its unique glass windows (that date back to the 14th century), is located in the middle of these ruins.