Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 48'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 50'000 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 53'243 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 57'700 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 52'650 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 60'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsChemistry & Physics
Leiter/in Forschung und Entwicklung (Papierindustrie)
You develop innovative paper products and secure market competitiveness.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You lead research projects for paper development, optimise quality standards and support production with technical know-how.
In the modern paper industry, you shape tomorrow's products. As Leiter/in Forschung und Entwicklung (Papierindustrie), you drive sustainable innovation. You analyse raw materials, develop new coatings and optimise existing processes. Your technical know-how forms the foundation for high-quality results and secures your company's long-term competitiveness in the market.
FieldChemistry & Physics
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryPlastics, Paper & Surface Technology
Swissdoc 0.520.8.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Papier- und Schreibwarenverkäufer. Based on 88 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+7% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 50'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 48'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 49'200 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 53'300 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | CHF 53'300 | 25 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Consulting various | CHF 52'000 | 6 |
| Retail trade / Wholesaling | CHF 51'280 | 66 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Leiter und Leiterinnen Entwicklung
Official education path
Entry typically requires a university degree in a technical or chemical field.
Typical training path
Leiter und Leiterinnen Entwicklung
Prerequisites
- Papieringenieur/in (Ausbildung an Fachhochschule oder Uni in Europa)
- Chemiker/in FH
Requirements
- Technical understanding
- Organisational skills
- Strong sense of responsibility
- Leadership and social skills
Where this can lead
Career changers can enter if you have a relevant university degree and practical lab experience.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Technical understanding
- Organisational skills
- Sense of responsibility
- Leadership skills
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You check the viscosity of a new paper mix in the lab and discuss the results with the production team. You then adjust the machine parameters to ensure quality.
- You develop new paper types and continuously improve existing ranges.
- You analyse raw materials and test their properties in the lab.
- You optimise production processes to increase quality in the long term.
- You support manufacturing with technical know-how and solve problems.
- You coordinate research projects and ensure the company remains competitive.
- You document experiments carefully and prepare the results for management.
Working conditions
You work in labs and production facilities in the paper industry. Your workplace shifts between research departments, factory halls and meeting rooms.
Where to learn
- Verband der schweizerischen Papier-, Karton und Folienhersteller ZPKFBergstrasse 110, 8032 Zürich
Strengths
- Technical understanding
- Organisational skills
- Sense of responsibility
- Leadership skills
Trade-offs
- High responsibility
- Stressful periods
- Regular travel
- Physical strain
06 · Similar
