Job Shadowing

As part of the Action Plan 2025-27, this initiative provides hands-on insights into non-academic career fields and the Third Space and helps postdocs advance their career beyond academic research.

The switch from academic research to other sectors is tough. With the UZH Job Shadowing program we aim to support postdoctoral researchers in this transition. We connect them with professionals outside academia or in the academic third space, who will host them at their workplace for 1 – 3 days. The program offers postdocs a first-hand look at careers beyond academic research, while expanding networks of postdocs as well as hosts and building stronger bridges between academia and non-academic sectors.

We are planning to open the application process for postdocs in June, select postdocs in July, and from August onwards first meetings between hosts and postdocs will take place. The actual Job Shadowing can be scheduled flexibly by the host and postdoc but has to take place between August and October 2026.
We are planning to start another round of the Job Shadowing program already at the end of 2026.

Further information and the opportunity to register will be available shortly.

Do you already know that you would like to eventually leave academia and are starting to actively plan your career beyond academic research? The Job Shadowing program can help you to gain first-hand insights into your sector/job of interest, while expanding your network. With this program the GRC is supporting you in advancing your career outside of academic research. More detailed information about eligibility and the application process will follow soon, however, generally all UZH postdocs as well as senior teaching and research assistants will be able to apply.

You are interested in fostering connections with academic researchers and motivated to help postdocs to reflect on their skills, career goals and options? We are currently searching for hosts! Join our program and provide first-hand insights into non-academic careers or careers in the academic third space. You will be matched with a postdoc by the GRC and spend 1 – 3 days with the postdoc at your workplace. We will find a good postdoc match for you and offer guidance at any step of the program. Check the digital flyer below for more information or directly contact us.