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Switzerland Hiring 2026

Explore four Switzerland job opportunities in 2026 at ETH Zurich and the United Nations, including paid doctoral research, university employment and an international professional position in Zurich and Geneva.

Switzerland Hiring 2026: 4 Job Opportunities at ETH Zurich and the United Nations

Quick Overview

Opportunity overview
Host OrganisationsETH Zurich and United Nations OHCHR
Host CountrySwitzerland
LocationsZurich and Geneva
Opportunity TypeResearch Jobs, Doctoral Positions and Professional Employment
Degree/Academic LevelMainly Master's-level and experienced professionals, depending on the vacancy
Funding StatusPaid Employment; RobotX PhD Fellowship explicitly fully funded
DurationVaries by position
Eligible ApplicantsQualified candidates subject to individual eligibility and Swiss immigration requirements
Application FeeNot specified for ETH Zurich vacancies; no recruitment fee for the United Nations
IELTS/English RequirementEnglish proficiency required; no specific IELTS score stated in the ETH vacancy advertisements
Deadline15–30 November 2026, depending on the position

Detailed Description

Switzerland offers professional opportunities for graduates, researchers and experienced specialists in universities and international organisations.

Four positions advertised by ETH Zurich and the United Nations cover robotics, sustainability, international relations, academic teaching and programme planning.

Applicants should review each opportunity individually because the qualifications, employment conditions, immigration procedures and application deadlines differ.

Opportunity 1: ETH Zurich RobotX PhD Fellowship 2027

Host Organisation: ETH Zurich – Center for Robotics

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Position Type: Full-time Doctoral Research Employment

Funding: Fully Funded Doctoral Position

Deadline: 27 November 2026

The RobotX PhD Fellowship 2027 recruits doctoral candidates interested in advanced robotics research.

Selected applicants will work with ETH Zurich research groups covering areas such as robotic locomotion, manipulation, machine learning, artificial intelligence, perception, computer vision and human-robot interaction.

Applicants can nominate up to three RobotX professors whose research interests align with their proposed academic direction.

Doctoral projects are developed with supervisors during the initial months of the appointment.

Official Website:
https://robotx.ethz.ch/education/open-positions.html

Apply Link:
https://emea2.softfactors.com/job-opening/rgum-zBtPwWHnM0fumyTFso#!/?lang=en

Opportunity 2: ETH Zurich Doctoral Researcher in Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Host Organisation: ETH Zurich – Supply Chain Management Group

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Position Type: Full-time Doctoral Research Employment

Funding: Competitive Salary and Employee Benefits

Deadline: 30 November 2026

ETH Zurich is recruiting a doctoral researcher to investigate social sustainability challenges within global supply chains.

The research examines issues such as labour conditions, corporate responsibility, supply chain due diligence and the management of social sustainability risks.

The selected researcher will use quantitative and qualitative research methods, analyse data, collaborate with industry partners and contribute to academic publications.

Additional responsibilities include assisting with teaching and supervising Master's dissertations.

Official Website:
https://scm.ethz.ch/

Apply Link:
https://emea2.softfactors.com/job-opening/rgum-QTalV0i5PTKnk4q8kN#!/?lang=en

Opportunity 3: ETH Zurich Research and Teaching Assistant 2026

Host Organisation: ETH Zurich – Chair of Global Security

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Position Type: Full-time, Fixed-Term Employment

Duration: Approximately Two Years

Deadline: 15 November 2026

ETH Zurich's Chair of Global Security is recruiting a Research and Teaching Assistant to support academic teaching and research activities.

The position involves preparing course materials, managing online learning resources, supporting grading, conducting literature reviews, collecting research data and preparing academic presentations.

The role is particularly relevant to graduates interested in global security, political science, international relations and an academic research career.

The successful candidate may also have opportunities to develop an independent research project.

Official Website:
https://gsec.ethz.ch/

Apply Link:
https://emea2.softfactors.com/job-opening/rgum-JGkTxzSSshnLQNNlbX#!/?lang=en

Opportunity 4: United Nations Programme Planning Officer 2026

Host Organisation: United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Position: Programme Planning Officer

Grade: P-4

Job Opening ID: 285684

Opportunity Type: Professional-Level Employment

Deadline: 18 November 2026

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is recruiting a Programme Planning Officer for its Strategic Planning, Programme Management, Evaluation and Change Service.

The position supports institutional planning, strategic programme management and coordination of organisational objectives.

This is a professional-level role intended for applicants with substantial relevant experience rather than an entry-level graduate position.

Official Website:
https://careers.un.org/

Apply Link:
https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/285684?language=en

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility varies between the four positions.

RobotX PhD Fellowship

  • A Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Bioengineering, Materials Science or a closely related field, completed by August 2027.
  • Excellent academic performance in Bachelor's and Master's studies.
  • Demonstrated relevant research or practical project experience.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Strong programming skills.
  • Excellent written and spoken English.
  • Experience with robotics software frameworks is an advantage.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management Doctoral Researcher

  • An excellent Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Economics, Business Administration or a related field.
  • Strong background in empirical research methods.
  • Experience with statistical or econometric data analysis.
  • Excellent written and spoken English.
  • German-language proficiency is desirable.
  • Strong motivation for academic research.
  • Good teamwork, organisational and project management abilities.
  • Willingness to engage with research partners and academic conferences.

Research and Teaching Assistant

  • A Master's degree in Political Science, International Relations or a related discipline.
  • Specialist knowledge of international politics and global security.
  • Excellent written and spoken English.
  • Knowledge of German is an advantage.
  • Familiarity with relevant research institutes and publications.
  • Experience with qualitative or quantitative research methods.
  • Very good IT skills and ability to work independently.

UN Programme Planning Officer

This position is classified at P-4 professional level.

Applicants must meet the education, professional experience, language and competency requirements specified in Job Opening ID 285684.

The detailed requirements should be checked directly in the official UN vacancy announcement. The role should not be presented as suitable for applicants without substantial relevant professional experience.

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Benefits

RobotX PhD Fellowship

  • Fully funded doctoral employment at ETH Zurich.
  • Salary based on the ETH doctoral salary scale.
  • Full social benefits.
  • Academic supervision by a RobotX professor.
  • Access to advanced robotics research facilities.
  • Collaboration with ETH Zurich research groups.
  • Professional development opportunities.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management Doctoral Researcher

  • Competitive salary.
  • International research collaboration.
  • Access to research infrastructure.
  • Academic supervision and mentoring.
  • Opportunities to attend and present at international conferences.
  • University career development programmes.
  • Applicable ETH Zurich employment benefits.

Research and Teaching Assistant

  • Full-time university employment.
  • Practical research and teaching experience.
  • Direct collaboration with the Chair of Global Security.
  • Exposure to international security research.
  • Opportunity to develop independent academic research.
  • Applicable ETH Zurich employee benefits.

UN Programme Planning Officer

  • Professional-level employment within the United Nations.
  • Compensation under the relevant UN staff arrangements.
  • Experience in international programme planning and institutional management.
  • Opportunities to collaborate with international professionals.

Documents Required

RobotX PhD Fellowship

  • Cover letter explaining research motivation and preferred RobotX research groups.
  • Updated CV, including publications or preprints where applicable.
  • Bachelor's and Master's academic transcripts in English, including the local grading scale.
  • Names and contact information of three professional references, including email addresses and telephone numbers.
  • One publication, thesis or research project report.

All application documents should be combined into one PDF, ideally under 10 MB.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management Doctoral Researcher

  • Motivation-focused cover letter.
  • Updated CV.
  • Contact information of two references.
  • University academic transcripts.
  • Relevant reference letters.
  • Representative published research work, thesis chapters or research papers.

All documents must be submitted as a single merged PDF.

Research and Teaching Assistant

  • Cover letter.
  • Updated CV.
  • Degree certificates.
  • Academic transcripts.
  • Up to two writing samples, where available.

UN Programme Planning Officer

  • Complete UN online applicant profile.
  • Academic qualifications and education history.
  • Relevant professional employment history.
  • Skills and language information.
  • Motivation statement and other information requested by the official recruitment system.

Timeline

  • RobotX PhD application deadline27 November 2026
  • RobotX final decisionsBy 15 February 2027
  • RobotX employment startBy agreement in 2027
  • Sustainable Supply Chain Researcher application deadline30 November 2026
  • Sustainable Supply Chain Researcher reviewRolling basis
  • Research and Teaching Assistant application deadline15 November 2026
  • Research and Teaching Assistant startAs soon as possible or by agreement
  • UN Programme Planning Officer vacancy posted5 October 2026
  • UN Programme Planning Officer application deadline18 November 2026

Why This Opportunity?

  • Work with established Swiss universities and international organisations.
  • Gain professional experience in research, technology, sustainability or international programme management.
  • Develop specialised academic and professional skills.
  • Collaborate with international researchers and professionals.
  • Build experience that may support future academic or career progression.
  • Access research facilities and professional networks relevant to the selected position.

Mindship Global Tips

  • Choose the right vacancyApply only to positions that match your education, experience and specialist skills.
  • Review nationality requirementsCheck whether the employer can recruit candidates who require Swiss work authorisation.
  • Tailor your CVHighlight relevant academic projects, research experience and professional achievements.
  • Prepare your referencesContact potential referees before submitting an application.
  • Follow document instructionsETH Zurich vacancies have specific PDF and document requirements.
  • Check language expectationsEnglish proficiency is important, while German or French requirements vary by position.
  • Apply earlyThe Supply Chain Management vacancy explicitly states that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
  • Use official portalsDo not send applications to unofficial agents or recruitment intermediaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can international applicants apply for these Switzerland jobs?

Qualified international candidates may be considered, subject to the requirements of each position. Applicants who need Swiss work authorisation must check their eligibility and the employer's immigration arrangements.

Are all four Switzerland opportunities fully funded?

No. The RobotX PhD Fellowship explicitly offers a fully funded doctoral position. The remaining vacancies are employment opportunities with salaries or employment conditions determined by the respective employer.

Is IELTS required?

The ETH Zurich advertisements require excellent English proficiency but do not specify a mandatory IELTS score. Candidates for the UN role should check its official language requirements.

Can Bachelor's degree holders apply?

The three ETH Zurich positions require relevant Master's-level qualifications. Applicants for the UN P-4 role must check its official education and professional experience requirements, including any permitted degree-and-experience alternatives.

Is there an application fee?

The ETH Zurich vacancy advertisements do not state an application fee. The United Nations explicitly does not charge recruitment fees.

Are these opportunities suitable for fresh graduates?

The ETH Zurich Research and Teaching Assistant role is described as a possible entry point after completing a university degree. The two doctoral positions require strong academic preparation and relevant skills. The UN role is a senior professional vacancy.

Does ETH Zurich provide visa assistance?

ETH Zurich states that its Human Resources department handles entry formalities for foreign doctoral candidates with an employment contract or agreed offer of work. This does not guarantee immigration approval or establish identical assistance for every non-doctoral vacancy.

Can applicants apply for more than one position?

Candidates should assess their eligibility separately for each vacancy and follow the individual application instructions. Each position has its own recruitment process.

Official Application Link

Disclaimer

📌 Disclaimer: Mindship Global shares verified educational opportunities for informational purposes only. Applicants should verify eligibility, funding arrangements, deadlines, required documents, and application requirements through the official website before applying.

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