Professions That Support Science
Discover the diverse professional fields that contribute to our work in support of science and research.
A job with the SNSF will allow you to develop and realise your full potential both professionally and personally. We are looking for people who work and think in a solution-focused way without ever losing sight of the big picture. Whether in administration, research support or a staff position: our departments can offer you many exciting challenges – as a seasoned pro, career changer or trainee.
We are looking for experienced professionals in
Research
You’ll bring your specific expertise to a wide variety of SNSF processes and projects of research. Organising scientific evaluations, supervising funded projects and engaging with working groups or research policy-related topics will all be part of a varied daily routine.
Project Administration
Administrative work is the engine that drives the successful organisational and financial implementation and management of research funding. With your in-depth knowledge and multilingual expertise, you’ll be helping researchers to manage their projects optimally and providing them with crucial support.
IT
From business analysis and requirements engineering, to development and operations, to IT security – the fields of activity within the SNSF’s IT department vary widely. You’ll be working in interdisciplinary teams making use of agile methods with the necessary creative freedom.
Facility management
As part of the Facility Management team, you’ll be responsible for managing and maintaining the SNSF’s buildings and infrastructure. In particular, the team ensures compliance with safety standards and environmental guidelines within the SNSF’s facilities. This diverse department also includes cleaning, reception and cafeteria roles.
Strategy and Data
Based on the knowledge of the honorary bodies and employees as well as the SNSF’s scientific findings, as part of the strategy team you’ll see to it that the SNSF is constantly evolving, thus ensuring that it is following a forward-looking and innovative strategy. At the same time, the data team deals with data analyses and data-based communication. Here you’ll advise employees on data analyses and help manage the SNSF’s data, allowing us to perform successful analyses.
Human Resources
Our multidisciplinary and innovative HR team is responsible for a modern, flexible and digital work organisation. You’ll keep your projects on track with your dedication and deal with your day-to-day business with dynamism.
Finance
In the SNSF’s Finance department you’ll be dealing with financial planning, monitoring and processing of research funding. This will involve working with your team to administer the SNSF’s budget, as well as ensuring that funding is used efficiently and that both honorary bodies and external experts are compensated.
Communication
The Communication department is responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of the SNSF’s multilingual communications. They provide information on the research projects being funded, highlight the impact the research is having, and draw attention to the significance of the SNSF as a public funding organisation. To do this, they use a range of internal and external channels – from the SNSF website, to social media, all the way to events for members of parliament.
Legal service
As part of the SNSF legal service, your job will be to ensure fair funding procedures. You’ll be responsible for the regulations and the contracts regulating national and international cooperation. You will also provide advice in sensitive legal and appeals procedures and ensure good governance across the whole of the SNSF.
General Administration
TO DO
Trainees
In collaboration with our partner SwissCore, based in Brussels, we support talented young researchers at the interface of research, innovation and European science policy.
As a graduate trainee in this area, you will be actively involved in current research‑ and innovation‑related topics, contribute to ongoing projects and gain first‑hand insight into the international research landscape. This traineeship provides valuable scientific and policy‑related experience and helps lay the foundation for a future career in research management, science policy or related fields.
Working closely with experts at the SNSF and SwissCore, you will develop a deeper understanding of how research funding, innovation and education are connected at national and European levels.
These traineeship positions are advertised depending on current needs and available opportunities. If we are looking for graduate trainees in these areas, the respective positions will be published on our careers page.
We encourage you to subscribe to our future job offers by clicking on the Connect link below. This will ensure you are the first to know about new positions opening up.
Apprenticeships
At the Swiss National Science Foundation, apprenticeships are more than an entry point. They are a meaningful first step into a professional environment shaped by responsibility, collaboration and purpose.
As an apprentice at the SNSF, you gain hands‑on experience in a supportive setting, work alongside experienced professionals and develop skills that matter beyond your training. We value curiosity, reliability and a willingness to learn, and we aim to create an environment where young professionals can grow, gain confidence and contribute from the very beginning.
An apprenticeship at the SNSF means being part of an organization that supports science and research in Switzerland and being trusted with real tasks that make a difference.
