Employment and salary
ETH Zurich offers its employees stimulating work and an excellent infrastructure. In return, it expects them to deliver outstanding performances.
The conditions of employment are based on the Swiss Federal Personnel Act and the ETH Personnel Ordinance. Salaries are calculated according to function level, experience and performance.
Scientific assistants in the first two career levels receive a fixed starting salary, which is paid out in 12 monthly instalments. At each of these two levels, the salary is increased annually in predefined incremental stages over three years.
Scientific assistants are employed on non-permanent contracts, which run for a maximum period of six years.
Further information can be found in the Ordinance governing scientific employees. Please note that the rates in the appendix are subject to adjustments and will be announced by the ETH executive board.
PhD students and postdocs from abroad find more information on employment and the salary rates on the Welcome Center website.
Established researchers are assigned to a function level. Their salary varies within the corresponding performance range and is paid out in 13 monthly instalments. An appraisal interview is held each year, in which the employee and the employee’s supervisor define new and effective targets for the following year based on an assessment of the employee’s current performance. At the same time, measures are taken to enhance employees’ specialist knowledge and keep them motivated.
Established researchers are employed on non-permanent contracts, which run for a maximum period of six years.
Further information can be found in the Ordinance governing scientific employees.
Scientific collaborators and senior scientists are assigned to a function level. Their salary varies within the corresponding performance range and is paid out in 13 monthly instalments. An appraisal interview is held each year, in which the employee and the employee’s supervisor define new and effective targets for the following year based on an assessment of the employee’s current performance. At the same time, measures are taken to enhance employees’ specialist knowledge and keep them motivated.
Senior scientists are employed on permanent contracts.
Further information can be found in the Ordinance governing scientific employees.
Employees in support functions are assigned to a function level. Their salary varies within the corresponding performance range and is paid out in 13 monthly instalments. An appraisal interview is held each year, in which the employee and the employee’s supervisor define new and effective targets for the following year based on an assessment of the employee’s current performance. At the same time, measures are taken to enhance employees’ specialist knowledge and keep them motivated.
Employees in support functions are generally employed on permanent contracts.
The type of employment contract awarded to staff working on specific projects depends on the tasks they carry out, the duration of the project and the source of funding. Aside from being assigned to a level in the salary system and receiving an annual salary (paid out in 13 monthly instalments), an “all-in salary” can be arranged, which is spread over 12 monthly instalments.
Project staff are employed on non-permanent contracts, which run for a maximum period of five years.
Further information for scientific project staff can be found in the Ordinance governing scientific employees.
Please note: The information on this page is meant for information purposes only. No responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information. The rules and regulations may have changed in the meantime. For legally binding information please contact the Vice-Presidency for Personnel Development and Leadership of ETH Zurich.