General conditions
Persons granted asylum or temporarily admitted as refugees are permitted to engage in gainful employment. A potential employer must in any case submit a corresponding request for a work permit and comply with the usual local wage and working conditions for the given profession.
Jobs outside academia
Refugees resident in Switzerland with academic diplomas looking for a job outside academia can contact the Swiss ENIC office for further information.
Jobs in academia
It is better for refugees with an academic career looking for a job in academia to consult the higher education institution concerned directly here.
Several Swiss universities support the “Scholars at Risk Network”. The network offers safety by arranging temporary academic positions at member universities and colleges to scholars facing grave threats, so scholars’ ideas are not lost and they can keep working until conditions improve and they can return to their home countries.
Science4Refugees initiative
The European Commission has launched the Science4Refugees initiative to help refugee scientists and researchers find suitable jobs that both improve their own situation and put their skills and experience to good use in Europe's research system. Science4Refugees matches talented refugees and asylum seekers who have a scientific background with positions in universities and research institutions that are 'refugee-welcoming organisations' and that have suitable positions available, including internships and part-time and full-time jobs.
Further information
If you have been granted asylum or have been temporarily admitted as a refugee in Switzerland, the career guidance office of your canton of residence will provide further information on career development.