Rights and duties of postdocs

All postdocs need to be aware of their duties and responsibilities:

• Conducting own research
• Contributing to projects of the research group
• Participating in teaching and supervising students
• Assisting with administrative tasks and other services, such as: organizing seminar series and group activities, coordinating projects, managing labs and data, maintaining websites, engaging in outreach activities.

As the responsibilities of postdocs are only broadly outlined in the Ordinance Governing Scientific Employees, it is essential to have a clear discussion at the beginning of the employment to clarify expectations. Regular meetings between postdocs and supervisors are also recommended to ensure alignment and understanding.

Relevant extracts from the Ordinance Governing Scientific Employees are:

Art. 5 Positions – Assistants and established researchers

1 Employment as an assistant or established researcher serves to facilitate an academic career or professional development.

Art. 10 Duties

2 Postdocs conduct their own research and contribute to research projects. They also perform important tasks in their supervisor’s area of responsibility through teaching, research and services.

3 Established researchers I and II take leading roles in preparing, organising and conducting research projects, and in teaching in their supervisor’s area of responsibility. They also undertake administrative and infrastructural tasks

More information on the various scientific functions at ETH Zurich can be found on the Scientific functions website and in this brochure.

One of the most crucial elements for a successful collaboration between postdocs and supervisors is ongoing communication and mutual agreement on expectations.

Initial Discussion and Goal Setting

At the start of the collaboration, it is recommended to hold an introductory meeting to define and align on key goals, including:

• Research objectives
• Teaching and student supervision responsibilities
• Administrative support
• Career planning (short-term and long-term goals)
• Supervision by host and mentorship by another researcher
• Integration into the group/institute
• Levels of interaction between the postdoc, host professor, and other group members.

Annual Progress Meetings

To ensure that the collaboration remains productive and on track, annual progress meetings are essential. Supervisors are required to conduct an appraisal interview with their employees at least once per year, typically between August and mid-October. These meetings can follow the Dialog format provided by the HR department.

The following points are particularly useful for postdocs:

• Progress on the research project 
• Defining research goals for the upcoming year
• Personal and professional skill development (e.g., “soft skills”)
• Career planning: identifying realistic goals, courses to take, funding opportunities, and conferences to attend
• Support from the supervisor
• Duties and responsibilities within the research group.

To ensure clarity and accountability, it is recommended that brief minutes of the annual progress meetings are made (using the Dialog form) and signed by both the supervisor and the postdoc.