The University of Basel’s results from the 2024 Swiss-Wide Mental Health Survey are now available! The 200-page report offers an in-depth look at the mental health and working conditions of (post-)doctoral researchers at our university. 

The report is part of the nationwide Swiss-Wide Mental Health Survey (SWiMS), conducted in 2024 in collaboration with actionuni, the umbrella organization representing mid-level academic staff across Switzerland. A total of 2,518 doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and other mid-level staff from 13 universities and higher education institutions participated in the survey. 

Results of the national Swiss-wide Mental Health Survey 2024

Each participating institution received its own institutional report.

Mental Health Report 2024 of the University of Basel

The findings at University of Basel reveal that assistants are under considerable strain, regardless of age, gender, research discipline, or position type: 

• 20% perceive their overall mental health to be poor.
• 27% feel burnt out at least once a week.
• 70% feel stressed due to uncertainty about their next career steps.
• 38% feel stressed due to the uncertainty about the funding of their position.
• 52% are stressed by an excessive workload.

The consequences of poor mental health among researchers are significant for the academic system as a whole, including: 

• Loss of innovative capacity
• Decline in research quality and productivity
• Increase in illness-related absences
• Deterioration in teaching and supervision quality 

The executive summary identifies key areas where targeted measures could provide the greatest support and includes an extensive list of possible measures to be considered by the University, in order to improve the situation.

Executive Summary English version

Executive Summary German version

Please share these findings far and wide, so that its message gets heard in each department and at all levels of the University!

EN 20230209 Questionnaire_Phil-Hist_avuba_for assistants in the PhD survey Begleitgruppen

• Summary of results including areas with need for action
• Answers given by all participating postdocs
• Answers given by all participating postdocs from life sciences
• Answers given by all participating postdocs from social sciences

avuba has already discussed the most important findings with the rectorate. Together with avuba, the President’s Office will communicate concrete measures for improving specific areas by the end of this spring semester (see also the President’s Office resolution no. 21.03.35).

Decided measures of the rectorate in September 2021 based on the avuba survey:

• Saturday morning care by the University Day Care Center for a maximum of ten children of University members up to the age of eight from 8.30-12.00: The cost is CHF 45 per child. A place at the university Day Care Center is not a prerequisite. Initial bookings for Saturday 6 November 2021 or subsequent Saturdays can be requested via unikrippe@clutterfamilea.ch from the beginning of October. The offer is intended for irregular use, permanent occupancy is not possible.

• Emergency care for sick children of staff and students living in the cantons of Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Solothurn and Aargau: After receiving the call, a trained and experienced caregiver will be at the family's home within 4 hours to take care of the sick child (up to 12 years). The offer is free of charge for all university members. Further information on the offer and registration at unibas.ch/family.

• The continuation of the funding instrument "academic editing incentive" is approved. The previous conditions (one-time application for the funding amount of max. 500 CHF with own contribution of 50 CHF; editing of exclusively English-language articles; free choice of editing service) remain in place; postdocs are now also eligible to apply.

20200513 Questions and answers on assistants' research and working conditions at the time of Covid-19

20200401 Answers to questions regarding contract extensions in the context of covid-19

The University of Basel does not tolerate any form of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment begins when personal boundaries are not respected and power is exerted over others. Who comes too near is going too far!

20191126 Measures which are already implemented or which are planned

Areas with need for action

EN 20190611 Summary of areas with need for action including faculty figures, avuba June 2019

Key findings

EN 20190403 avuba PhD & Postdoc Survey 2018 - avuba report

avuba has already discussed the key findings with the President’s Office. Together with avuba, the university management will now seek solutions to rectify the problems addressed in the survey as quickly as possible. Additional information is provided here.

Detailed survey results

• EN 20190402 avuba PhD & Postdoc Survey 2018 - answers given by all assistants of the University of Basel who took part in the survey
• EN 20190402 avuba PhD & Postdoc Survey 2018 - answers given by assistants employed at the University of Basel who took part in the survey

Questions or feedback on the survey

If you have any questions or feedback on the survey, please contact the avuba Head of Administration.

Assistants requiring employment clarification can contact the decentralized HR teams or central HR.