Call for new members of the Research Council

The Research Council is the SNSF’s central scientific body. Chaired by the Academic Board, it plays a key role in shaping funding policy, ensuring high-quality evaluation procedures and contributing to the strategic development of the SNSF’s funding schemes.

Six committees with diverse responsibilities

Since April 2025, the Research Council has been organised into five programme committees and a Policy Committee, each with distinct focus areas and responsibilities. Depending on their mandate, the committees are responsible for specific funding schemes and their further development, or for cross-cutting tasks such as policy development and foresight activities.

To reach their individual target sizes that range from 10 to 25 members, each of the committees is seeking between two and five new members. The specific expertise sought varies by committee. Applicants are therefore encouraged to consult the respective job advertisements for detailed information on the required profiles and competencies.

Who can apply?

The call is open to researchers from all disciplines, including those with interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary backgrounds. The SNSF welcomes applications from candidates affiliated with all types of research institutions and from all regions of Switzerland.

Members of the Research Council are excellent researchers. They bring a strong understanding of national and international research trends in their respective fields as well as the ability to work across disciplinary boundaries. They are familiar with developments in research funding, including new approaches and best practices in research ethics and evaluation. Experience in grant evaluation, leadership or decision-making roles, such as chairing evaluation panels or committees, is considered an asset.

In addition, they demonstrate strategic thinking, integrity, independence and a willingness to contribute actively to the SNSF’s mission and funding principles.

Selection process and timeline

Applications should be sent to
by 14 June 2026 (midnight). Please consult the specific research council mandates. Interviews with the shortlisted candidates are scheduled to take place in October 2026.

The selection process is conducted by an Election Committee composed of representatives of the Foundation Council, the Delegates Assembly and the Academic Board as well as external members. Based on this committee’s proposal, the Foundation Council is expected to elect the new Research Council members in December 2026.

Research Council members are elected for four years, with the possibility of one re-election.