wherenoble science

meets business

SR21 ZURICH IS A SMART LIVING HUB WHERE TALENTED STUDENTS AND STAFF PROVIDE GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH, EXCITING INNOVATIONS AND INSPIRING EDUCATIONA growing research footprint

Five departments spanning various academic disciplines have been granted special status. Using innovative methods and interdisciplinary approaches, researchers and students are engaged in high-quality research on topics of global significance.

Medical Science

Medical Science within the SR21 – Institute for Scientific Research encompasses the full scope of modern scientific medicine, including preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative disciplines such as surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, pharmacy, dental sciences, nursing, paramedical, and allied biomedical fields. The focus is on evidence-based diagnosis, treatment, and clinical management. The department supports the integration of scientific research with professional healthcare practice, enabling both qualified practitioners and scientifically grounded candidates to advance within regulated medical fields. Formal training in Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy is delivered through affiliation with Università degli Studi LINK, Italy and is conducted within the Italian higher education and regulatory framework. These programmes are not part of the SR21 closed-circle research environment and remain subject to Italian academic and professional standards. Entry pathways are available to high-school graduates and Graduate entry is only available to degree holders in Science disciplines seeking transfer or continuation of studies, with applications open for the 2026–2027 academic year. Interdisciplinary capability is reinforced through the Institute’s Forensic Anthropology and Criminology unit, supporting medico-legal research and applied forensic science. Leadership engagement with the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging (ISFRI) ensures alignment with international standards and research networks.

Pharmaceutical Research

Pharmaceutical Research at SR21 – Institute for Scientific Research is positioned as a research-intensive, development-driven discipline focused on advancing next-generation therapeutics through scientifically rigorous and strategically aligned innovation. The Institute places particular emphasis on supporting pharmaceutical start-ups, emerging biotechnology ventures, and established industry partners by accelerating early-stage research, translational development, and evidence-based validation of novel compounds and treatment modalities. Operating within a closed-circle research environment, SR21 leverages a distinguished cohort of scientists whose internationally recognised expertise spans drug discovery, clinical development, regulatory science, and post-market surveillance. This concentration of high-calibre intellectual capital enables the Institute to provide targeted research leadership, bespoke scientific guidance, and advanced methodological support across the full pharmaceutical lifecycle. Pharmaceutical Research at SR21 is therefore not limited to conventional academic study; it functions as an integrated research and development platform—designed to bridge scientific discovery with commercial application, de-risk innovation pipelines, and enable pharmaceutical enterprises to progress from concept to clinically and cGMP viable solutions within a controlled, high-assurance research framework.

Science & Technology

The department is aligned with real-world research and development contexts, including areas such as advanced materials, sensing technologies, digital systems, and engineering innovation. Emphasis is placed on translating theoretical knowledge into practical application, with consideration of technical constraints and development processes. Operating within a closed-circle model, the department provides focused supervision and direct engagement with experienced scientists. This ensures methodological rigour, relevance, and high standards of research integrity. Graduates are prepared for roles in research and development, technology design, and scientific analysis across industry, government, and specialised research environments.

Business Science

By adding the new class of A.I. data powered analytics, Business Science allows people with domain expertise to make smarter decisions faster and more confidently. It recognises that not all problems require exact precision at the expense of speed and business context. Business Science solutions are rigorous and accurate, enabling decision-makers to determine what they need for their use case with control and flexibility. Business experts are empowered, enabling a fully automated experience or the option to make guided changes during the model creation process. The department has placed particular emphasis on the marine, maritime, shipping, and yachting sector.
With over 50 industry experts engaged in writing, developing, and advising on their course material, the department has formed a strategic collaboration with the Maritime Training Academy (UK) to offer industry recognised short and long-term certificates and diplomas that are delivered and assessed online. SR21 applicants are entitled to reduced fees directly to the MTA. They may then progress toward a specialised programme leading to a Bachelor’s degree or an MBA (such as in Maritime Enterprise Systems), contingent upon their previous credentials and the additional work they will need to undertake with SR21.

Intelligence, Diplomacy and Security

Intelligence is the ability to learn from experience, reason, solve problems, adapt to new situations, and use knowledge to achieve goals. Diplomacy is the art and science of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals. Diplomacy refers to representatives of different groups discussing issues as conflict, trade, the environment, technology, or maintaining security. On a governance level, Security is a defining characteristic of a society as a fundamental function of the state, and a necessary condition to allow the enjoyment and exercise of rights and freedoms pursued by the rule of law.

GRADUATE ENTRYMEDICINE, Dentistry, Pharmacy

The program is open to high-school graduates and degree holders from a wide range of science-related backgrounds who wish to apply for a transfer or continuation of their studies in Medicine, Dentistry, or Pharmacy, subject to prior qualifications and the outcome of the academic evaluation. Admission to the Pharmacy program does not require an entrance examination, while Medicine and Dentistry require the successful completion of entrance exams in accordance with current Italian regulations. The program is offered under the affiliation of Università degli Studi LINK, Italy. All academic programs are taught in Italian. To support international students, the University provides a free Italian language course, designed to help students achieve the required level of language proficiency before and during their studies. Applications for academic assessment are currently open for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Speak with an expert

Wherenoble science meets creativity

Quality education is crucial to improving people's lives. Our view of the world in which you will work has led us to a unique vision of education - and of the kind of scientists, engineers, and professionals our future will need. No matter in which research field and which program, training, or course you follow, we strongly encourage you to cross boundaries, and connect disciplines. Scientific and technological progress brought by innovation has improved the level of modern medicines, extended people's life span, and improved and enhanced environmental sustainability.

Wherestrategic partnerships shape the future

SR21- Institute for Scientific Research operates a highly selective, closed-circle partnership model designed to align advanced research with sensitive operational requirements. As a Swiss-based private institute, SR21 forms precision-driven alliances with vetted partners across industry, academia, and emerging technology sectors. Engagements are deliberately structured, emphasising discretion, classified-context awareness, and robust intellectual property protection. The Institute actively seeks creative and innovative partners capable of contributing to high-trust, high-impact research environments.

Partnerships are grounded in SR21’s capability to identify, validate, and operationalise advanced technologies within controlled frameworks. Particular emphasis is placed on secure handling of sensitive knowledge, protection of proprietary methods, and experience operating in classified or restricted domains. The core institutional strength lies in applying SR21 – developed technologies to discover, validate, and operationalise evidence within complex scientific, intelligence, and decision-support contexts.

Through this disciplined model, SR21 delivers partnerships that extend beyond collaboration—providing secure, capability-driven integration that safeguards intellectual assets while generating operationally relevant insight and strategic advantage.

Precision Learning
Real-World Impact

At SR21 – Institute for Scientific Research learning is designed to deliver results. Our tailored, outcomes driven approach puts the needs of professionals first—combining academic rigour with real world application. Through close collaboration between our academics, research teams, and recognised international experts, we tackle complex, real world challenges and transform them into practical, high impact solutions. The result: learning that accelerates careers, informs policy, and generates tangible economic and societal value.

SVEB / FSEA - EU

As Switzerland’s national umbrella organisation for adult and continuing education, the Swiss Federation for Adult Learning (SVEB/FSEA) sets the benchmark for quality, innovation, and professional standards across the sector. Operating under mandate from the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, and affiliated with leading European and international adult education bodies, SVEB/FSEA represents excellence in lifelong learning.
SR21 – Institute for Scientific Research is a proud member of SVEB/FSEA, ensuring our programmes remain aligned with Swiss and international quality frameworks while staying ahead of developments in the continuing education landscape. As a legally registered private education and research institution, SR21 operates within Switzerland’s tertiary private education framework—combining independence, flexibility, and innovation to deliver education that meets the demands of today’s professionals and tomorrow’s challenges.

The Switzerland–EU Programme Agreement (EUPA), signed in Bern on 10 November 2025, marks a strategically critical re-alignment of Switzerland with the European research and innovation ecosystem. Through this agreement, Switzerland regains association with flagship EU programmes—Horizon Europe, Euratom, and Digital Europe Programme from 2025—followed by participation in ITER in 2026 and planned association with Erasmus+ in 2027.
This agreement is of high strategic importance: it restores Switzerland’s full access to Europe’s primary engines of scientific excellence, advanced technology development, and talent mobility. In practical terms, it strengthens national competitiveness, secures participation in large-scale collaborative research, and re-integrates Swiss institutions into critical innovation value chains across Europe.

Our research explained

Science jobs are not all the same

Technology transfer is the process of transferring scientific findings from one organisation to another for the purpose of further development and commercialisation. The ultimate benefits of technology transfer are the public benefits derived from the products that reach the market and the jobs that result from the development and sale of products. We are pioneers in fusing technology, science, and engineering with social sciences to impact the world around us. Our driving force as students, scientists, and educators is a deep sense of connection with people who share a curious, entrepreneurial spirit.

Alumni

Enter a network defined by high performance and operational impact. The SR21- Institute for Scientific Research develops individuals capable of functioning in high-stakes environments, where research is directly applied to real-world challenges and outcomes are measured in capability delivered, systems improved, and strategic effect achieved.

Graduates of the SR21- Institute for Scientific Research contribute to advanced medical research, scientific innovation, and sensitive defence-related programmes. Their work translates knowledge into applied capability—informing policy, shaping operational planning, and resolving complex problems beyond theoretical analysis. Members of this community are associated with internationally recognised achievements, including major academic honours and nominations for leading scientific awards.

The SR21 Fellowship and alumni network operates as a global ecosystem of scientists, strategists, clinicians, and technologists. It enables sustained collaboration, cross-sector engagement, and continued professional development through joint research and high-value opportunities.

Distinguished Alumni

Giannis Maroulas

Current Position: Vice President at Goldman Sachs - Head of Client Onboarding, Luxembourg

Bachelor of Engineering (BEng Hons): University of Warwick, Engineering with Business Management

Master of Science (MSc): University of Loughborough - Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management

Master of Philosophy (MPhil): SR21 - Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich - Knowledge & Technology transfer

Dr. Marios Kyriazis (M.D.)

Current Position: Director, National Gerontology Centre, Cyprus & Editor in Chief, Frontiers in Geriatric Medicine - Nominee for Nobel Prize in Medicine 2017

Medical Degree: University of Rome - Medicine

Master of Science (MSc) : University of London - Gerontology

Doctorate of Science (DSc) : SR21 - Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich - Medical Research

Dr. Willem Daniel Adendorff

Current Position: He is a security practitioner–academic, specialising in the operational and strategic integration of emerging technologies

Law and Police Administration : Department of Education (S.A.)

Master of Science (MSc) : Loughborough University, UK - Security

Doctorate of Science (DSc): SR21 - Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich - Security

Captain George Vallis

Current Position: President of (PUPYC) Panhellenic Union of Private and Professional Yacht Crews

Bachelor: AEN - Merchant Captain

Master of Business Administration (MBA): SR21 - Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich - Shipping and Maritime Operations

Doctorate of Advanced studies : SR21 - Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich - Maritime Risk and Crisis Management

Panayiotis Tsirides

Current Position: El Sistema Greece - Pedagogical Counsellor, B.& M. Theocharakis Foundation - Key Partner, ‘One Child One World’ - Supervisor, The Music Library of Greece ‘Lilian Voudouri’ - Research Associate, University of Athens

Bachelor: Model Music School of Kallithea - Music Harmony

Master of Advanced Studies: SR21 - Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich - Cultural Education

Ioannis Athanasopoulos

Current Position: Historian, Writer, Scientific Advisor of the War Museum of Athens

Bachelor: University of Ioannina - Science of History and Archaeology

Master of Science by Research (MScR): SR21 - Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich - Military History and Strategy

Doctorate of Advanced studies: SR21 - Institute for Scientific Research, Zurich - Modern and Contemporary Greek History