I am a pharmacist (Diploma + MSc) and I am considering in moving in Zurich next year. Since I have only 1 year work experience, I was wondering whether it would be really difficult for me to find a job in pharmaceuticals in Zurich. The internet search is not very promising, so I would like to ask if it easier to find a job when I have already moved or almost every working post available is advertised online?
So many here in CH, both Swiss and foreign, have lost their job in the pharma industry and are trying to find new jobs here - so perhaps not a good time to arrive. Good luck.
The Pharma and chemicals industries in Switzerland is concentrated mostly in the Basel region (Roche, Novartis, Actilion, etc.) or down towards Geneva. They do have other large sites (Roche is investing heavily in Rotkreuz in Canton SZ), but this industry is still very Basel-focused.
Zurich, on the other hand, is financial services oriented.
Sure, Swizterland is small, but you still have to consider the commuting times. My wife's job was transferred from Basel to Zürich (Glattbrugg) - her commute was over 90 minutes each way, meaning that she was away from home for 12+ hours every working day. After about 1 year, she was so tired of this commute that she decided to leave the company. The job was good, but the commute made it much less attractive. (My wife is now very happily employed in Basel).
Actually, saying that most Pharma is based in Basel is not entirely true. I agree there is not much in Zurich, but there is a lot in Zug. (Amgen, J&J, B+L, Actavis) If you really want to live in Zurich then the commute is around 25 minutes, depending on where you live, but Zug is a great place and the tax is lower. I'm not sure about employment status, but I would contact the companies directly. Good luck
I was aware that the majority of the pharmaceutical companies are Basel based but for personal reasons I would like to relocate in Zurich. As far as Zug is concerned, I think it is really close to Zurich, so I will try to contact the companies there..
I work for Novartis in Hunenberg and we are going to move to Rotkreuz very soon together with all the other Swiss market divisions so i highly recommend to contact or check it out. I live in Zurich as well and it is 30 min by car.
I wouldn't recommend any nice, gentle and caring about other people person to start working for Novartis, if he/she wants to stay nice, gentle and caring about other people.
The Bio-Technopark in Schlieren has 10-15 companies and a new building is currently under construction. When you factor in other biotech and pharma companies scattered around the Zurich area (Tecan, Vifor, Pierrel, InSphero), it's not an insignificant number. It doesn't mean they have jobs though.
You can find the companies at the Bio-Technpark here or you can do a search on LinkedIn for biotech and pharma companies in Zurich, or any other region in Switzerland. A look at their career pages will give an idea of what they are looking for.
Thank you very much for sharing this information. Via internet, there are not much posts advertised and this was the main reason I started this topic, in order to understand whether there are any jobs available in the first place (and just not advertised via internet) or there are pretty much no jobs at all...
Big Pharma has undergone a wave of cost cutting in the last 2 to 3 years-just a weak product patent pipeline and a lot of pressure on prices. Smaller bio oriented firms may be hiring.
I've just mentally counted 8 former colleagues (in DRA) who work at Novartis and I would say that only two of them are truly happy there. Of the others, one is close to a mental breakdown and has been off sick for 6 weeks and the other is currently being performance managed and could lose their job (despite this person being a high potential, high flyer in their previous company). I've simply heard too many horror stories for it to be coincidental. I think if you're an ambitious, high output, always connected individual then Novartis is a pretty good, meritocratic enviroment to work and you will be promoted quickly. However if you want a more balanced existance (e.g. you have a family and committments) then its probably best you look elsewhere.
Drug Regulatory Affairs, I can only compare like with like e.g. not sure how a Finance or Medical Director position at Novartis would compare with other companies.