Department of Physics (PI) / Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI)

Professorship for Muon Spectroscopy 100 %

permanent employment

We are seeking candidates who are experts in using muon spectroscopy for the advancement of material science. Examples are the use and development of muon instrumentation for the study of quantum and energy materials. The research program of this new professorship will be able to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the unique Swiss Muon Source (SμS) facility at PSI and to develop it further. The successful candidate must be an established researcher in quantum and/or energy materials as well in using and developing muon instrumentation with a proven track record in terms of research output and acquisition of third-party funding. Experience in teaching and mentoring are highly valued. The future professor is expected to be an active member of the Department of Physics (PI) at the University of Zurich (UZH) and contribute to its academic self-administration. The professor will also contribute to teaching and its further development, in particular with courses on condensed matter physics, quantum materials and muon science, and supervising PhD students as well as Bachelor and Master theses.

The successful candidate will head the Laboratory for Muon Spin Spectroscopy (LMU) at the PSI Center for Neutron and Muon Sciences (CNM). CNM operates three national infrastructures for neutron and muon research (SINQ, SμS) as well as for particle physics (CHRISP) supporting research activities spanning a wide spectrum from particle and condensed matter physics to chemistry, materials science, engineering, and cultural heritage. In CNM, LMU is responsible for the scientific exploitation of the SμS, where it operates seven muon instruments and runs a world-leading muon science user program welcoming about 200 Swiss and international scientific users every year. The LMU head manages about 20 permanent scientific, technical and administrative staff, as well as associated students and postdoctoral researchers in two research groups focusing on bulk μSR studies and low-energy muons, respectively. The successful candidate must have a proven track-record in managing large-scale research infrastructure and excellent leadership and communication skills and motivation to continuously develop those. Finally, the LMU head should also actively engage with the NCCR Muoniverse - a new National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) led by PSI and UZH - as well as with the PSI's new Quantum Matter and Materi-als Discovery Center (QMMC) that will provide unprecedented opportunities for designing, making and characterizing quantum materials, and with the UZH DEMETER (DEtector & Matter at Extremes TEst and Research) Center, which is developing new pixelated muon detectors for vertex reconstructed μSR and new pressure cell technology. UZH and PSI see researchers as modern leaders who conduct excellent research - taking into account the Open Science principles - through their own research projects as well as the promotion of excellent junior researchers, and who help to shape a future-oriented University with innovative research-based teaching. Both institutions are located in the open-minded and family-friendly Zurich Metropolitan Area, which combines the vibrant cultural scene of a modern European city with the convenient accessibility to its beautiful natural surroundings. They are also part of a deep-tech innovation ecosystem through co-location with the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich and the ParkInnovare. Both institutions are deeply connected by a track-record of successful collaborations and are conveniently located within commuting distance.

The successful candidate will be employed at PSI, which is part of the ETH-Domain including ETH Zurich and EPFL, and the national laboratories PSI, Empa, WSL, and Eawag. We value interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration and offer internationally competitive salary and employment conditions. The institutions provide generous research support, including dedicated funds for personnel, running expenses, and competitive start-up packages. Additionally, the successful applicant is expected to acquire external research funding. PSI and UZH value equal-opportunities and strive to increase the percentage of women and underrepresented groups in leading positions. Therefore, qualified female researchers are particularly encouraged to apply. Care-time interruptions are considered during the evaluation of applicants of all genders.

Information on your application

Applicants are kindly invited to submit their applications, which should include:

• a cover letter (max. 1 page)
• a Curriculum Vitae with date of submission, including teaching and supervisory track record; outreach activities; a list of acquired competitive funding, including role and amount awarded to the candidate
• a description of their research outputs relevant for this application and their importance for the field (at most five outputs, max. 1 page in total)
• a research plan describing their mid-term scientific strategy, research and technology vision for SμS, and expected impact (max. 3 pages)
• a statement on leadership philosophy in regard to large infrastructures (max. 1 page)
• a teaching reflection on their educational values, tools and methods, and their potential contribution to the curriculum development at UZH (max. 1 page)
• a description of their track record and/or planned measures towards diversity, equality, inclusion, and sustainability (max. 0.5 page)
• a list of publications and other research outputs, including dataset, code, etc.
• a copy of their PhD certificate

Please note that page limitations do not include references.

The evaluation processes at UZH and its Faculty of Science follow the DORA recommendations for assessing research quality and impact. Applicants are thus asked to refrain from referring to non-personal measures such as impact factors.

Please upload your application to www.mnf.uzh.ch/muonspec by 18 May 2026. Interviews will take place from 21 until 23 October 2026.

What we offer

Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers.

What we offer

Work-Life Balance

• Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
• Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH

More Learning and Development

• Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
• Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich

MoreFood

• Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
• Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution

MoreHealthcare

• Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
• Free seasonal flu vaccinations
• Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower

MoreDiscounts

• Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
• Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
• Special conditions on hotel reservations

More Conditions of Employment

• Policies of the UZH
• Most UZH staff are employed according to public law

MoreInternational Services

• Support for people from outside Switzerland

MoreCampuses

• Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
• Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg

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Location

Department of Physics (PI) / Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI)

Further information

Questions about the job

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The University of Zurich offers a wide range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and 12 professional apprenticeship streams, Switzerland's largest university provides an inspiring working environment at the vanguard of research and education. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
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Working at UZH

The University of Zurich offers a wide range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and 12 professional apprenticeship streams, Switzerland's largest university provides an inspiring working environment at the vanguard of research and education. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More