She obtained her doctorate there in 1991, and from 1989 to 1991 she also studied Swiss law at the University of Lausanne.

After a post-doctorate with the European University Institute in Florence (1991-1992), she worked as a researcher at the IDHEAP in Lausanne from 1992 to 1994.

She was dean of the Faculty of Law (2005–2007),[5] member of the Swiss National Science Foundation (2002–-2010), vice rector of the university (2007–2011) and president of the Swiss Council for Science and Innovation (2012–2015).

Her publications include some 20 monographs in the area of international, European and Swiss law.

She trained playing the instrument in Mainz from 1980 to 1983, where she also directed a choir between 1983 and 1988.