Working environment

Creating and sharing knowledge

The ZHAW is a place where new knowledge is created and shared. Many of our employees value the international environment and the sense of purpose they find in their daily work.

Where knowledge takes shape

As a university of applied sciences, we closely connect academic excellence with real-world practice. Our research and teaching are geared towards addressing the actual challenges faced in the realms of business, technology, health and society. To achieve this, we work closely with businesses, public authorities and other universities. This collaboration gives rise to exciting projects and innovative ideas in which you, as a ZHAW employee, can play an active part or follow the latest developments at first hand.

A connected world, a connected university

International cooperation is central to the ZHAW’s mission of understanding global challenges and developing solutions. As a ZHAW employee, you benefit from intercultural collaboration within a globally connected environment. Among other initiatives, the ZHAW is actively involved in the European university alliance EELISA, while also maintaining numerous international partnerships and participating in more than 500 university collaborations.

Work with purpose

Universities make an important contribution to society: we educate and provide continuing education for specialists while helping to address major challenges through our research. Many ZHAW employees appreciate the fact that their day-to-day work makes a meaningful contribution to society, the economy and the environment.

Opportunities to shape and grow

At the ZHAW, we encourage entrepreneurial thinking and action, while placing great importance on ensuring that our employees can continue to develop their skills. At the same time, we regard health, appreciation and respect as fundamental elements of our corporate culture.

Make the most of your room for manoeuvre

Those who work at the ZHAW have an interdisciplinary mindset, take a practical approach and make bold decisions. Help shape a range of topics and issues, both within our core areas of activity (research, teaching, continuing education and business services) and in overarching projects and support functions. You will have extensive opportunities to shape your work: put forward your ideas and enjoy the freedom to set your own pace and drive initiatives forwards. We encourage you to try new things and learn from experience. This benefits both you and the ZHAW as a whole.

Your health matters to us

Appreciation, mutual support and treating one another with respect characterise our day-to-day collaboration. We attach great importance to your health and encourage you to take advantage of our wide range of services relating to physical activity, mental health and prevention. Anyone who works hard also needs the time to relax and unwind. With annual working time models, part-time roles, job-sharing, co-leadership arrangements and flexible home-office options, you can strike a healthy balance between work, leisure and your personal needs.

Growing together with the organisation

For us, continuous development is part and parcel of everyday life at the ZHAW. We foster a working culture in which learning, collaboration and innovation are the norm. A wide range of topics, interdisciplinary collaboration and the exchange of ideas across disciplinary boundaries create new learning opportunities every day. Knowledge is shared, experiences are pooled and ideas are transformed into action together. This enables you to build on your strengths, acquire new skills and realise your potential. In addition, we support your professional and personal development with a wide range of continuing education courses and targeted development opportunities.

Diversity as a strength

We hold the strong conviction that different generations, backgrounds and life experiences lead to better solutions.

We embrace diversity

At the ZHAW, people from different walks of life and generations work together openly, respectfully and as equals. Through targeted measures, we promote a balanced gender ratio and the equal participation of people of all genders. We are actively committed to the inclusion of people with disabilities and those living with chronic illnesses. We are consistently working to break down barriers.

Different perspectives drive creative solutions

We firmly believe that different perspectives make us better. In your daily work at the ZHAW, you will interact with students, researchers and colleagues from departments such as Student Administration, Finance, Facilities Management and IT. This diversity and an open culture of communication enrich collaboration. Every task counts, and every contribution is important. Researchers from various disciplines work together on projects and develop innovative solutions, while specialists from technical and administrative functions contribute their expertise and make university operations possible.

Faces and stories

Exciting projects and diverse people – that’s what sets us apart. What do we all have in common? We contribute our expertise in order to achieve something together. In our profile videos, you can find out more about our employees’ day-to-day work.