Paul Scherrer Institut
Research
Inventions do not occur spontaneously. Working@PSI means turning clever ideas into practical applications. Within an international working environment, we explore sustainable solutions to the most pressing questions in our society, economy, and scientific realm. Situated at the heart of Aargau, our location hosts leading research domains, and we invite passionate professionals to accompany our work into revolutionary avenues, leveraging their diverse skills and perspectives.
Career starters
Apprentices, "tasters", interns
Ready for take-off
Recent graduates, young professionals
Masters in their field
Experienced and senior professionals
New horizons
Re-entering the job market or changing careers
Career starters
Apprentices, "tasters", interns
We create knowledge – today for tomorrow
Matter and Material, Energy and the Environment, and Human Health encapsulate the primary scientific themes investigated at the Paul Scherrer Institute.
Researchers at PSI engaged in Matter and Material delve into the secrets of various materials, exploring their inner structure down to the smallest particles, thereby delineating the distinct properties inherent in these materials.
The aim of energy research at PSI is the development of technologies enabling sustainable energy provision. This encompasses not only the creation of environmentally friendly energy generation and the use of renewable energy sources but also the development of low-loss energy storage systems. PSI opens the doors to groundbreaking research insights, providing direct access to the business world and aiding Swiss companies in transforming research into pioneering innovations.
The research goal within the Human Health sector at PSI is to unravel fundamental processes in living organisms at a molecular level. The focus here lies in developing novel methods for diagnosing and treating diseases.
Moreover, the Centre for Proton Therapy at PSI provides cutting-edge techniques and insights for the treatment of cancer patients.
At PSI, highly motivated and inquisitive employees work on the most exciting questions in science and technology.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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