Research
Research is a driver of innovation in knowledge-based societies
ETH Zurich conducts open-ended basic research and applied research at the highest level. Researchers from ETH Zurich produce excellent results and find solutions to the challenges of our time. Reliable basic funding from the federal government, competitive research grants, collaboration with industry and generous donations guarantee an outstanding research environment. Interdisciplinary cooperation and national and international networking are vitally important for the university. Research ethics (for research on humans and animals) and scientific integrity provide the normative framework. ETH’s thematic areas are Environment & Resources, Responsible Digital Transformations and Health & Wellbeing.
Ethics and sustainability in research
ETH Zurich provides all its services in the most resource-saving and environmentally friendly way possible. When it comes to animal experiments, ethical considerations are also important. Consequently, ETH Zurich promotes researching and implementing the 3R principles (replace, reduce, refine).
ETH reinforces 3R principles for animal experiments
Animal experiments are an indispensable part of the methodology followed in many areas of research at ETH Zurich. Humans and animals are relatively similar. Therefore, experiments on animals can often pave the way for or even replace experiments on humans. The Vice President for Research has launched the 3R Hub in order to further replace, reduce or refine animal experiments (the 3R principles). This examines and strives to modernise indispensable animal experiments so as to minimise animal suffering and reduce the number of animals used. The Vice President for Research has also expanded the Animal Welfare and 3R Office, which assists researchers with all matters in this regard.
The great potential of basic research for innovation
Excellent basic research is the foundation of ETH Zurich’s success. It ensures high quality in teaching and knowledge transfer. Linking basic and applied research is ETH Zurich’s great strength and requires consistent funding based purely on research excellence.
Four women and four men from six different departments have each received a Starting Grant of around 1.7 million Swiss francs from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). Among other things, the funding will be used to investigate how the brain’s arousal state is regulated and how this is associated with mental wellbeing. Another project will explore a GPS-based method of measuring water vapour in the atmosphere. In addition, the European Research Council (ERC) is awarding a Synergy Grant to support the development of an imaging method to non-invasively measure the stiffness of moving organs such as the heart. ETH Professor Sebastian Kozerke is involved in this project.
ETH research explores new approaches in medicine
Society needs technological solutions for prevention, diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation that are affordable and sustainable across generations. ETH Zurich uses its wide-ranging expertise to contribute to the advancement of medical research and training, and to promote the transfer of new findings into medical practice. Read more about this in the interview with ETH Vice President Christian Wolfrum.
ETH facilitates networking in medicine
Medicine has become ever more important in education, research and knowledge transfer at ETH Zurich. New developments in AI, robotics, imaging, drug research and molecular biology are laying the foundations for more individualised and more personalised approaches in diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation. Among other topics, the first Medicine @ETH Day featured a discussion on the extent to which interaction across departmental boundaries and collaboration with clinics can be stepped up. Ten ETH departments presented the focus of their medical research during this event, thereby supporting networking among scientists and partners.
Sustainability: 35 labs certified by GreenLabs
“Together with GreenLabs Zurich, we certify the ETH research labs’ sustainability efforts and investigate further local and central measures to conserve resources.”Sebastian Kahlert, Sustainability Manager in the ETH Sustainability Office
Labs are inspiring and safe places for students and researchers to learn and work. At the same time, their construction and use consume a substantial amount of resources and produce a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions. GreenLabs Zurich, a collaboration between ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, devotes its time and attention to this problem. Together with ETH Sustainability, labs are certified, knowledge is conveyed and changes are initiated. In addition, central aspects such as lab construction and waste recycling are analysed.
ETH Zurich offers a superb environment for cultivating academic excellence. This is reflected in the prestigious honours and prizes won by its researchers.
The Annual Report is produced in German and translated into English. Only the German version is binding.
© ETH Zurich, April 2025