Employment at the University of Bern

The University of Bern is proud to offer its employees a 42-hour work week (full time) and at least five weeks annual leave, progressive working hour schemes and a fair salary structure. We are keen to have proactive employees and are happy to accommodate private commitments and outside work, provided such is compatible with working for the university. 

Brochure "Welcome to the University of Berne"

A good, appreciative work environment takes center stage at the University of Bern. In addition, our organizational structure lives up to high standards – from ergonomic workplaces to a host of sports activities available through Unisport. This is how we create working conditions that help maintain and promote good health.

Thanks to our flexible working hour schemes and our part-time work and job-sharing options, we are able to facilitate the reconciliation of work with other areas of life. Our annual working time scheme is central to this and offers employees more freedom to arrange their work time. Remote work offers a further option for greater flexibility. Prolonged absences are also possible at the University of Bern. They can be compensated either by taking unpaid leave or by using credit from the long-term working time account (“Langzeitkonto”) where unused paid leave and public holidays can be accrued.

Our salaries are based on the system used for Bern’s cantonal staff. The job requirements, together with the professional experience and age of the person assuming the job, are taken into account to determine a fair salary. Annual salary increases depend on individual workplace performance and the funds available. The social benefits offered by the University of Bern are within the scope given by law. This includes all standard pension benefits, a daily sickness benefits insurance and an accident insurance that also covers non-occupational incidents.