FAQ – Jobs and Career

All vacancies are advertised on our website. You can apply directly online via the link provided in the relevant job advertisement. For data protection and IT security reasons, we do not accept applications by e-mail.    

Please upload your CV, relevant certificates/diplomas, and a cover letter (usually optional). 

When applying to the ZHAW, please prepare a complete application dossier including your CV, employment references, diplomas and certificates. A cover letter can also help demonstrate your motivation and suitability for the role. Please check your application documents carefully for errors before uploading them and ensure they are presented clearly and neatly.   

If there are any additional questions on the application platform, be sure to allow enough time to answer them. Please answer authentically and refer specifically to both the ZHAW and the position advertised.   

No. As a rule, a cover letter is optional at the ZHAW. You will have the opportunity to tell us about your motivation for applying in person during an interview. However, an authentic cover letter may be advantageous when it comes to securing an initial interview invitation. 

Documents for an application to the ZHAW can only be uploaded in the following formats: PDF, JPEG, JPG, GIF, PNG, DOC, DOCX, TXT, PPT or PPTX. A total of 10 MB of storage is available. 

You may apply for a vacancy as long as it remains published on our ZHAW careers page. For positions with a fixed application deadline, this will be stated in the job advertisement.  

Yes, you may apply for several positions at the ZHAW at the same time. 

At ZHAW, we usually conduct two interviews. However, the application process varies depending on the position you are applying for. You can find more information about the different procedures here.

Our ZHAW recruiters will get back to you as quickly as possible. Occasionally, however, the process may take longer due to delays, staff being away on holiday or similar circumstances. In particular, additional time may be required for processes involving a larger selection committee. In such cases, we kindly ask for your patience. You can find further information about the application process here.

Sometimes our processes at the ZHAW take a little longer, especially when a large number of people are involved in the selection process. We kindly ask for your patience and will contact you as soon as possible. 

At the ZHAW, we often receive many applications from candidates with suitable qualifications. We review every application carefully but unfortunately are unable to consider every candidate.  

Every ZHAW job advertisement includes details of a specialist contact person and the responsible recruiting manager. Should you have any general questions, please contact recruiting.hr@zhaw.ch. 

As a rule, the ZHAW conducts two interview stages. However, the application process may vary depending on the position you are applying for. You can find more information about the various application processes here.

Application documents from unsuccessful candidates are deleted by the ZHAW no later than six months after the position has been filled. If you would like your data to be deleted immediately, please contact us accordingly at recruiting.hr@zhaw.ch . We will then delete your data and confirm the deletion to you. 

Guidelines on the handling and retention of personal data can be found in the ZHAW Data Protection Declaration. 

If the job advertisement is no longer published on the ZHAW website, we are no longer accepting applications, as the recruitment process has already progressed. 

By setting up job alerts (Job-Alert), you will automatically be notified of future vacancies at the ZHAW and won’t miss out on any new opportunities. 

The ZHAW does not accept speculative applications. All current vacancies are advertised on our job portal. Alternatively, you can set up job alerts (Job-Alert). This way, you will automatically be notified whenever new positions are advertised on the ZHAW website. 

The ZHAW follows the salary framework of the Canton of Zurich. Each position is assigned to a specific salary class. There are various salary levels within a salary class. Assignment to the specific (technical) salary level is based on your profile.    

The ZHAW supports part-time work subject to operational requirements. Many positions can be filled on a part-time basis, including through job-sharing and/or co-leadership arrangements. The employment level available for a particular position is stated directly in the job advertisement. 

Flexibility is important to us and we therefore offer ZHAW employees the opportunity to work from home to a certain extent. However, there is no general entitlement to remote work. The extent of home office work depends on operational requirements and is determined in consultation with the employee’s line manager. We do not offer fully remote positions. 

Thanks to its annual working time model, the ZHAW offers a great deal of flexibility and supports employees in balancing their personal and professional lives. You can find further attractive benefits here. 

Yes, the ZHAW offers a variety of measures to support work-life balance. You can find more information on this topic in our Benefits section.

You can find information about the working environment at ZHAW and our culture of collaboration here.

The ZHAW places great importance on having a diverse and inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, actively promote diversity and strive to ensure accessible processes. Find out more about our working environment here.

Information about employee benefits at the ZHAW can be found here.

At the ZHAW, we place great importance on ensuring that our employees can continue to develop throughout their careers. Further information can be found on the Careers and development page.

The continuous development of our employees is important to us at the ZHAW. You can find more information on this topic under Benefits as well as on the Careers and development page.

The ZHAW pension provider is BVK, the civil service insurance fund of the Canton of Zurich, which offers very good benefits for our employees.  

The onboarding process at the ZHAW begins immediately after you receive confirmation of your employment by e-mail. Our HR team will guide you through the most important administrative steps. In the meantime, we will be getting your workstation, access rights and all the information you need ready for your start. On your first day at work, you can expect a personal welcome from your team and a structured induction programme.  

As an employer governed by public law, the ZHAW does not issue an employment contract, but rather a formal appointment decision. This is prepared while the administrative procedures are underway and is sent to you by post a few weeks after you receive the e-mail confirmation. The confirmation of employment sent by e-mail already constitutes a binding offer. 

You will be contacted by ZHAW HR, who will assist you with any administrative matters. Your future manager and team will also be happy to help you with any questions relating to your role and to provide information about your first working day.   

Yes, you can get in touch with your team at the ZHAW before your start date. This opportunity is frequently used. Many teams get in touch proactively with a brief welcome message or some organisational information.  

No. Your IT access details will be set up at the ZHAW on your first day of work so that you can log in immediately. You will also be given your work laptop and any other equipment on your first working day.  

Your team will personally welcome you to the ZHAW. Together, we’ll set up your workstation, provide you with initial orientation on campus and within your office building, and introduce you to your responsibilities.   

Yes. Each School at the ZHAW prepares an individual induction plan to help you quickly find your feet, both professionally and organisationally.  

Your manager will support you as you settle into life at the ZHAW from the very beginning. You will receive clear responsibilities, objectives and regular feedback sessions to help you find your bearings and gain confidence.   

In some areas, teams at the ZHAW work with a buddy system. Your buddy will support you during your first few weeks, answer any questions you may have and help you settle into both the team and university life.  

Yes, the ZHAW offers onboarding events. In addition to digital onboarding sessions during the first few days of work, on-site onboarding events are also organised, including a personal welcome from the President. These events provide deeper insights into the ZHAW and offer the opportunity to get to know other new staff members.   

You will familiarise yourself with your responsibilities, your projects and areas of interaction, as well as the ZHAW's internal processes. At the same time, we offer you access to continuing education courses, tools and development opportunities to help you find your bearings and settle into your role quickly.  

At the ZHAW, you will benefit from a clearly structured onboarding process, dedicated teams, personalised support, opportunities for continuing education and information resources, helping you to settle in quickly and feel at home.   

The formal onboarding process at the ZHAW lasts several weeks. Full role-specific integration may take up to one year, depending on the position. 

At the ZHAW, regular discussions, clear induction plans, a supportive team and transparent processes ensure that you will quickly feel part of the team, confident and ready to work.  

Your line manager, your team and the onboarding events will provide you with the key foundations you need. The ZHAW has a proven track record of successfully integrating employees from a variety of professional backgrounds.  

On the International Welcome Centre page, international ZHAW employees can find information on administrative matters, housing, insurance and integration in Switzerland. If you have any questions, our Global Mobility team will be happy to help (mobility.hr@zhaw.ch). Responsibility for organising the move and all other necessary arrangements remains with the employees themselves.   

Depending on the personnel category and length of service, the probation period at the ZHAW is either three or six months. A six-month probation period applies to teaching and research staff as well as to professors. In the case of very short-term appointments (up to a maximum of six months), a probation period is generally not required.  

From your very first weeks, you will have access to the ZHAW’s in-house continuing education courses. You can discuss with your line manager which opportunities best suit your role and development.  

Employees from third countries generally require both a work AND residence permit (L or B permit). Depending on their country of origin, an entry visa may also be required in order to work at the ZHAW. These permits are arranged through the Global Mobility team.  

EU/EFTA nationals may take up residence in Switzerland at any time. You can find all the relevant information on the following website: Residence for EU/EFTA nationals | Canton of Zurich (in German) 

For non-EU/EFTA nationals (including UK nationals since 1 January 2021), the ZHAW HR Global Mobility team mobility.hr@zhaw.ch coordinates the process. 

• The line manager provides the job profile and requirements 

• Employees submit the necessary personal documents (passports, degrees, etc.) 

Important: employees are not permitted to submit any private permit applications themselves. 

The process consists of several stages and varies depending on the purpose of residence. The ZHAW Global Mobility team submits the applications to the cantonal migration office / employment office and provides information on the subsequent steps.  

Obtaining a residence permit, work permit and, where required, an entry visa generally takes between eight and twelve weeks from the date of application. You may begin working at the ZHAW once the process has been completed. 

Entry for tourism purposes is permitted. However, entry for the purpose of working at the ZHAW is strictly prohibited. Entry into the country for the purpose of taking up employment is only possible once the permit has been granted and, where applicable, an entry visa (Type D) has been issued. 

The decision regarding the type of permit (L or B) is taken exclusively by the cantonal labour office or the migration office, together with the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). The employer cannot select or influence the permit category. The authorities review the documents submitted and determine, on the basis of the statutory criteria, whether to grant an L or B permit. 

Entry requirements depend on your nationality, how long you wish to stay in Switzerland and the purpose of your stay. A basic distinction is made between nationals of EU/EFTA states and third-country nationals. Depending on your country of origin, you may need a visa in addition to a work permit. Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality.

A Type D visa authorises third-country nationals to enter Switzerland to carry out the activity for which the visa has been granted. It is applied for by the ZHAW Global Mobility team and, once issued, can be collected from the Swiss representation abroad in the applicant’s home country.  

Only to a limited extent. The following points should be considered: 

• Labour law in the country of residence 

• Social security legislation 

• Tax registration requirements 

• Possible requirement for authorisation in the employee’s country of residence or domicile 

ZHAW employees wishing to work from home outside Switzerland should always discuss this with HR Global Mobility in advance, as a risk assessment is required. 

In principle, this is possible and applications are submitted through the Global Mobility team.  

• B permit: often possible 

• L permit: depends on the individual case and is generally more restricted  

Please feel free to send us your enquiry by e-mail (recruiting.hr@zhaw.ch). We will explore the options available within the ZHAW and get back to you. 

In principle, the ZHAW is open to applications submitted through recruitment agencies. However, we prefer direct applications. Recruitment mandates are only awarded in exceptional cases. 

The collaboration between recruitment agencies and the ZHAW is governed by our general terms and conditions (in German). For each advertised position, we provide a link to the one-off registration process. 

Once you have successfully registered, your account will be activated and you will be authorised to upload candidates’ documents directly.