Research Institutions

With its large experimental research facilities, the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) offers the international scientific community a unique combination of complementary methods for structural research and spectroscopy. The Institute and the users' laboratory are known in particular for their work in the area of bio- and materials sciences, solid-state and physics research, as well as a major part of the country's energy research.
Established in 1988 from the merger of the Swiss Institute for Nuclear Research and the Federal Institute for Reactor Research, the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), based in Villigen, has 1,200 full-time equivalent posts and a budget of about CHF 260 million.

This world-class institution in the area of water, lakes and rivers is oriented towards today's technical, ecological and economic challenges. It ensures that concepts and technologies related to water use are continually improved and that ecological, economic and social interests associated with water are aligned. Eawag provides continuing education at all levels and makes its findings available to decision-makers - and thereby to society and the business community.
 
Founded in 1936 as an ETH Zurich consultancy for problems of water contamination and drinking water supplies, Eawag today has a budget of CHF 55 million and 280 full-time equivalent posts. It is headquartered in Dübendorf, with a branch in Kastanienbaum.

Empa is an interdisciplinary research and services institution for material sciences and technology development within the ETH Domain. Empa’s research and development activities are geared towards the demands of industry and the needs of society and thus form a bridge between research and practical applications, between academia and industry and between academia and society. This enables Empa to offer its industrial partners tailor-made solutions which help both to strengthen industrial innovativeness and at the same time to improve quality of life for all. Safety, reliability and sustainability of materials and systems are at the heart of all Empa’s activities. Empa therefore occupies a key position in the Swiss educational, research and innovative landscape. Empa’s skills are most notable in disseminating knowledge, at various levels of teaching and in technology transfer, enabling it to contribute to transforming innovations into marketable products.

Empa is an interdisciplinary research and services institution for material sciences and technology development within the ETH Domain. Empa’s research and development activities are geared towards the demands of industry and the needs of society and thus form a bridge between research and practical applications, between academia and industry and between academia and society. This enables Empa to offer its industrial partners tailor-made solutions which help both to strengthen industrial innovativeness and at the same time to improve quality of life for all. Safety, reliability and sustainability of materials and systems are at the heart of all Empa’s activities. Empa therefore occupies a key position in the Swiss educational, research and innovative landscape. Empa’s skills are most notable in disseminating knowledge, at various levels of teaching and in technology transfer, enabling it to contribute to transforming innovations into marketable products.

Switzerland must make sustainable use of its landscape in order to alleviate the current environmental threats, such as  urbanization, natural hazards and the globalization of markets. It is in precisely these areas where WSL can make a significant contribution. With targeted research into the environment and sustainability it provides support in decision-making processes and proposes viable solutions.
 
The WSL is based in Birmensdorf and Davos and has approximately 450 full-time equivalent posts and a budget of CHF 64 million.