 Gunten graduated in Bern, the Municipal Gymnasium (Matura 1948), studied at the University of Bern chemistry (major), physics and geology (minor subjects), doctored from 1954 to 1956 at the Physical Institute at FG Houtermans on age determinations of Congolese minerals and radioactive bleach (Cotunnites) from Mount Vesuvius.He refused a call to the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz.From 1970 until his retirement in 1993, he was a full professor of radiochemistry.