New University Council begins its work – promotions and professorships approved
With a new president and in a new composition, the University Council of the University of Basel has entered the 2026–2029 performance period. At its inaugural meeting, the body confirmed several personnel decisions.
10 February 2026
Yesterday, the University Council – the highest decision-making and supervisory body of the University of Basel – met for the first time in its new configuration. The University Council President, Prof. Dr. Aymo Brunetti, elected last autumn, welcomed Markus Eigenmann, who was elected to the Basel-Landschaft cantonal government at the end of November and represents the sponsoring canton of Basel-Landschaft on the Council.
In mid-October 2025, the Parliament of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft approved, by a large majority, the performance mandate and global budget for the University of Basel for the 2026–2029 period. One week later, the Grand Council of the Canton of Basel-Stadt also approved the proposal. Overall, the University of Basel will receive CHF 1.5 billion over the next four years to implement the extensive performance mandate.
Since the beginning of the year, the University Council has been chaired by Prof. Dr. Aymo Brunetti, Professor of Economics at the University of Bern's Department of Economics. A native of Basel-Landschaft, he began his academic career at the University of Basel and has remained closely connected to the region despite professional engagements elsewhere. Markus Eigenmann holds a degree in electrical engineering from ETH Zurich and, before his election to the cantonal government, was an entrepreneur and mayor of Arlesheim.
Marek basler promoted to full professor
The University Council has promoted Prof. Dr. Marek Basler to the rank of full professor. Basler is an infection biologist at the Biozentrum and studies the structure and function of bacterial injection apparatuses. He is involved in the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) “AntiResist” and contributes to the development of new approaches to combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria through his research. The promotion takes effect as of the spring semester 2026.
Armando Meier appointed associate professor
At the Faculty of Business and Economics, Prof. Dr. Armando Meier has been promoted to the rank of associate professor. Meier was appointed tenure-track assistant professor of health economics in 2024 and conducts research and teaching primarily in health economics, with close links to behavioral and labor economics. he is also co-director of the Basel Center for Health Economics. The promotion likewise takes effect as of the spring semester 2026.
New adjunct professorships
The University Council has also approved the decision by the Senate to appoint the following adjunct professorships in the Faculty of Medicine:
- Prof. Dr. Sabine Gerull for hematology
- Prof. Dr. Philipp Honigmann for hand surgery
- Prof. Dr. Florian B. Imhoff for orthopedics and traumatology of the musculoskeletal system (with simultaneous “Umhabilitation”, transfer of authorization to teach)
