Paul Scherrer Institut

Research

Villigen PSI

more than 1000 employees

Inventions do not happen spontaneously. Working@PSI means turning clever ideas into practical applications. In an international working environment, we work on sustainable solutions for challenges facing society, economy and science. We conduct cutting-edge research in the heart of Aargau and are looking for specialists who can contribute to our work with versatility.

We create knowledge – today for tomorrow

The scientific topics being researched at the Paul Scherrer Institute can be summarised in three main fields: Matter and Material, Energy and the Environment, and Human Health. Researchers working on Matter and Materials at PSI explore the properties of a wide variety of materials by identifying how they are made up of small particles inside and how this structure defines the properties of the material. Understanding essential processes in living organisms at the molecular level and developing new methods for diagnosing and treating diseases are the goals of research in the field of Human Health. The Centre for Proton Therapy at PSI treats patients suffering from cancer. The aim of Energy Research at PSI is to develop technologies for sustainable energy use. This includes environmentally friendly energy production, the utilisation of renewable energy sources and low-loss energy storage. PSI also makes new research findings accessible to industry. Swiss companies can thus convert research into innovation.

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

We are researching the drugs of tomorrow and inventing devices that can be used in cancer therapy.

Visiting scientists

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

The large research facilities at PSI are unique

PSI operates several large research facilities where experiments are carried out that are not possible in smaller laboratories. These large research facilities are unique in Switzerland. At the Swiss Light Source (SLS) researchers "illuminate" a wide variety of materials with synchrotron light. This enables them to determine the detailed composition of even the smallest structures down to nano size. The ultra-short X-ray laser pulses of the X-ray free-electron laser SwissFEL, the latest research facility, turn processes in the smallest detail into films: they enable researchers to observe ultra-fast processes.

At the Swiss Spallation Neutron Source SINQ, neutron beams are used to investigate new materials, e.g. for superconductors or computer memories, but also to examine metals so that one can look inside an engine or a bronze bust. At the Muon Source SμS at PSI, muons are mainly used to determine magnetic fields inside materials. Our research facilities with a unique infrastructure, combined with the technical skills within our manufacturing workshops and our specialists' knowledge, make PSI a sustainable partner in research and industry.

Aerial view of the Swiss Light Source SLS as a large "Willisauer Ringli".

Latest research facility: View into the beam tunnel of the X-ray free-electron laser SwissFEL.

Employees and activities (basis: 2019)

PSI staff	2'100
Employees in technical or engineering professions	48%
Scientists	39%
Employees in administration	8%
Apprentices	5%
PSI employees with teaching duties at both ETH and universities	100
Experiments at measuring stations for external scientists	2'400
Published scientific articles per year	1'400
Cancer proton therapy treatments at the Centre for Proton Therapy	5'500

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

At PSI we live diversity and see diversity as a value. We are proud that people from different backgrounds and with different skills work together on our campus with the necessary mutual respect. As a federal institution we are aware of our social responsibility and act in an exemplary manner in terms of equal opportunities and inclusion. We are proud to have been awarded the label Friendly Work Space. In order to maintain this claim, we invest in a respectful work culture without stereotypes and prejudices.

We cultivate and promote a culture of continuing education among all employees and managers. We support the topic of compatibility of family and career with various support programmes. In vocational training in particular, we want to increasingly promote the recruitment of people with disabilities. We want to fill more positions with women, and to this end we invest specifically in the career advancement of women. At PSI, we live diversity and claim to be known and recognised for a serious inclusion policy.

With the Diversity Award for managers PSI honours the promotion of equal opportunities.

Und was sagen die Mitarbeitenden?

zum mitarbeiterpuls

Training is a key issue for us

Our success is based on the performance and motivation of our employees. We create a framework that allows for ideal promotion and high job satisfaction. For PSI, the most important capital are the outstanding qualifications, experience and motivation of our employees. 25% of our jobs are training positions. It is of great interest to us that all employees can fully exploit their potential and develop their skills. Continuous further training in the institute is not only a matter of course for us, but also part of the culture we live in. Furthermore, PSI encourages and supports the acquisition of additional qualifications and further training in new tasks and functions.

PSI employees' development ist promoted by over 220 attractive course offers.

Your apprenticeship at the Paul Scherrer Institute

You can choose from 15 future-orientated professions. Our qualified vocational trainers and supervisors on the rotation positions look forward to accompanying you through your aprrenticeship. Vocational training at the Paul Scherrer Institute takes place in a high-tech environment in which you will be trained on real assignments wherever possible. Our research is positioned at a high level. In the same way, we want our vocational training to be among the best. Thanks to the high quality standard of PSI training, our apprentices often complete their apprenticeship with good to very good results. The versatile work in our institute allows us to train apprentices in various professions. At PSI we are currently training around 100 apprentices in 15 different professions. With your commitment and our support, the path is clear for a comprehensive, successful and future-oriented vocational training. Are you up for it?

"Lehrberufe à la carte": At the career show, apprentices present the fifteen professions trained at PSI.

Work-life balance – Childcare at PSI

The Kiwi daycare centre offers space to live, play and evolve for kids until the end of primary school, in which social skills and independence are fostered. The necessary framework is created by professional care. Every child shall be cared for individually, comprehensively and in an age-appropriate manner. We want your child to feel comfortable and to enjoy being with us, so that you can entrust it to us with peace of mind. Kita Kiwi is open to children from the age of three months until they start school. We offer all-day care from 7:30 to 18:00, including lunch.

Childcare

We care for each child individually, appropriately to its age and with all our heart.

Simone Brunner, Head of Kiwi

At Kita Kiwi, children are professionally looked after from the age of three months until the end of primary school.

Catering at PSI

Over 1'000 meals are conjured up daily from the pots of our catering facilities.

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 big as a village and yet a pedestrian zone: being mobile at PSI with scooters, post buses, electric or mobility vehicles, on foot or with 200 rental bikes from Velospot, which can also be used privately.

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.