Life sciences job hunting in CH

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1

Hello everyone,

Not sure if this is the right forum for this post, but its ‘employment’ related so thought I’d give this one a shot.

The family will be moving to Switzerland in summer 2026, and I’m trying to tap into local life sciences networks to look for jobs. I’m in the drug development space, so pharma/biotech (e.g. Novartis), diagnostics (Roche) and data/AI (Isomorphic) players are of highest interest. Basel is understandably THE hub in CH, but I’m trying to meet people and learn about opportunities in both the Basel/Zurich/Zug area and the Geneva/Lausanne area.

Questions for this group:

  1. Are there professional networks/associations you would recommend I join?
  2. Are there local recruiting companies you would recommend?
  3. Are there specific companies you would recommend in this space across both german-speaking and french-speaking CH?
  4. Are you yourself in this field in CH? Please DM me!
  5. Any general guidance/tips for looking for jobs in CH, and commentary on the general market sentiment right now?

Thank you brain trust for the guidance.

2

Well, first you need to decide what area to be looking for jobs. There’s not really any point in applying for jobs in Lausanne/Geneva unless you want a several hour daily commute from Zurich for example. Or you could rent a place in there and only go back to Zurich at weekends.

What Swiss languages do you speak? That again may decide where’s best to apply since I suspect you’d need to speak at least one for your new job.

3

Yes, there are recruiting companies. But Swiss prices. If you’re aiming at management level it is worth contacting them.

Syngenta is spread around Basel, Aargau, Zurich and Vaud. One acquaintance worked there. Idealism won in the end and now works somewhere else.