Flexible working for researchers
Flexwork models like working from home and mobile working – are they only possible for administrative jobs? No, these are also viable ways of working for researchers, as a team from D-BIOL shows us below.
“I like to work from home on days that are full of virtual meetings or when I need some quiet time to write,” says Paola Picotti, Professor of Molecular Systems Biology. Many members of her research group approach work in the same way. In Picotti’s eyes, this is a very positive development – one that has been made possible by the pandemic and the initially painful transition to remote working. Another remainder from the pandemic is that it’s now second nature for Picotti’s group to use online communication tools like Zoom and Teams.
More diversity at conferences
Picotti believes that these digital communication channels can be a boon for the research community and international cooperation. “Since academic conferences were held virtually during the corona era, diversity among participants has increased,” she says. “People who typically weren’t able to be physically present because of limited budgets or family obligations now had the opportunity to take part as well.”
Numerous advantages, but some downsides as well
Despite all the positive aspects of flexible working, one still needs to consider the disadvantages and risks that go along with it. “Flexible work isn’t right for everyone,” admits Picotti. “Working from home requires a lot of intrinsic motivation and self-management. There are also employees in my group who prefer to work on site for these reasons.” Valentina Cappelletti, senior scientist in Picotti’s group, agrees: “With flexible working you run the risk of eroding the boundary between your work life and your private life.”
On the whole, however, the pros of the new working model outweigh the cons for the group, as explained by Paola Picotti, Valentina Cappelletti and doctoral student Christian Dörig in external page this video.
Your opinion matters
This is the final instalment in the series covering the ways in which different teams and employees at ETH are approaching work after the pandemic. All videos, information, offers and materials about flexible working at ETH can be found on the Return to the Office & Future of Work site.
If you’d like to share details about what your current working day looks like – whether it be flexible or more traditional – you can take part in a survey commissioned by ETH and conducted by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). The survey is open until 30 of November. You can find more information and your personal survey link in the email sent by FHNW on 11 November 2022.
Questions and answers
Do you have questions, suggestions or concerns about flexible forms of work? You can find some answers in our if you have feedback or questions.
How flexible do you work? Share your experiences with us!
Do you work differently today, more flexibly, more mobile than before the pandemic? How do you manage to coordinate within the team? Let us know! We would like to include your approach on our website as "Good Practices" so that other ETH members can learn from it.
Write about your experiences to the Vice President's Office for Staff Development and Leadership ().
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