University of Basel takes co-lead role in National Centre of Competence in Research ‘Precision’
A new National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) is dedicated to cutting-edge research in high-precision measurements. As the second home institution, the University of Basel will play a central role in NCCR ‘Precision’.
30 January 2026
The Swiss federal government has announced six new NCCRs, including NCCR ‘Precision’, which will be led by ETH Zurich and the University of Basel as home institutions. By uniting leading research groups, the center aims to set new standards in optical precision measurement and sensing, enabling new physical discoveries.
During the initial funding phase from 2026 to 2029, the federal government will provide approximately CHF 17 million for NCCR ‘Precision’. With contributions from participating universities, the total budget will be about CHF 36 million. An NCCR can run for up to twelve years.
“Many applications in research and industry today require a level of accuracy that can no longer be achieved with existing measurement standards,” says Stefan Willitsch, professor of chemical physics at the University of Basel and co-director of the new NCCR.
The new research program addresses this need. “We aim to develop new methods and instruments that will allow us to carry out extremely precise measurements on a wide range of physical systems across Switzerland and to compare them via a nationwide, frequency-stabilized fibre-optical network directly,” explains Willitsch.
Precision measurements at a turning point
Precision measurements are fundamental to the exact sciences and are directly relevant to society and industry alike—for example, for time and frequency standards, calibrations and high-precision sensing. In recent years, advances in quantum and photonic technologies have paved the way for novel approaches that promise unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy in measurements.
Measurement science is undergoing a disruptive transformation, which NCCR ‘Precision’ seeks to lead. The network comprises 32 research groups across Switzerland, eight of which are based at the University of Basel.
Researchers anticipate that this unprecedented level of measurement precision will yield significant scientific insights. “High-precision optical spectroscopy of atoms, molecules and solid-state systems opens up new avenues for exploring fundamental physics beyond the Standard Model,” explains Philipp Treutlein, deputy co-director of the NCCR and professor of experimental quantum physics at the University of Basel.
As part of NCCR ‘Precision’, the University of Basel, in collaboration with ETH Zurich and the Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) in Bern, will develop an optical atomic clock for extremely accurate frequency comparisons across various physical systems. “Precision is virtually part of Switzerland’s DNA, and in Basel we will build a clock that will be the most accurate in the country,” says Treutlein. The clock will later be operated at METAS on a long-term basis.
University of Basel as a second home institution
“The University of Basel has a long tradition and a wealth of expertise in spectroscopy, precision measurements and quantum-based measurement protocols—both in physics and in chemistry,” says Professor Primo Schär, Vice President for Research at the University of Basel. “Our research groups specializing in atomic, molecular and optical quantum technologies are exceptionally well-positioned internationally.”
A dynamic quantum ecosystem is emerging in the Basel region, quickly translating research into high-tech innovation, Schär continues. “Our role as a second home institution of NCCR ‘Precision’ enables us to further strengthen our position as a leading center for research at the interface of physics, chemistry, quantum technology and precision sensing.”
Long-term funding and strong networking
National Centers of Competence in Research NCCRs are a long-term funding initiative of the Swiss federal government. They enable researchers in Switzerland to establish new research fields, build sustainable research and education structures, and network nationally and internationally. Each network is supported by one or two home institutions, which contribute significant resources.
The University of Basel is currently a home institution of the NCCRs ‘Antiresist’ (antibiotic research), ‘Spin’ (quantum technology) and ‘Molecular Systems Engineering,’ the latter of which will conclude after the end of its third funding phase this year.
