The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), established in 1988 through the merger of the Swiss Institute for Nuclear Research (SIN) and the Federal Institute for Reactor Research (EIR), is Switzerland's largest research center for natural and engineering sciences. Located in Villigen, Canton of Aargau, PSI employs approximately 3,000 staff members and operates under the ETH Domain of the Swiss Confederation.
PSI conducts cutting-edge research in three primary areas: Matter and Materials; Energy and the Environment; and Human Health. The institute develops, builds, and operates complex large-scale research facilities, including a synchrotron light source (SLS), a spallation neutron source (SINQ), a muon source (SμS), and an X-ray free-electron laser (SwissFEL). These facilities attract over 2,500 scientists annually from around the globe, facilitating experiments that are not feasible elsewhere.
In the realm of energy research, PSI focuses on sustainable energy solutions, energy systems analysis, and nuclear energy safety. The institute is instrumental in advancing technologies for renewable energy integration and energy efficiency. In human health, PSI is renowned for its proton therapy program, offering advanced cancer treatments and conducting research in medical imaging and radiopharmaceuticals.
PSI maintains strong collaborations with academic institutions, including ETH Zurich, with which it co-founded a Quantum Computing Hub in 2021 to advance quantum computer development. The institute also partners with industry, facilitating technology transfer and housing spin-off companies that commercialize its research innovations.
As a key pillar of the Swiss research landscape, PSI is committed to addressing major societal challenges through fundamental and applied research, contributing to scientific advancement and technological innovation on a global scale.
