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Graduate Campus

Quicklinks und sprachwechsel, main navigation, guide: how to phd, this section provides those interested in pursuing a doctorate with an overview:.

Food for thought for beginning PhD candidates

• Collection of links to relevant topics for PhD candidates
• Preparation and procedure at UZH (following)

Table of contents

Find a supervisor, admission to doctoral studies, requirements for admission and procedures, content and requirements, individual phd and phd programs, procedures at uzh faculties, employment and funding, for international students and scholars.

First of all, get in contact with a UZH professor who is willing and able to supervise your doctoral project. If you are interested in participating in a PhD program, you should first of all carefully read through the application procedures for the program in question. Doctoral programs at UZH

The doctorate is comprised of a PhD thesis as well as coursework. It serves as a qualification for an academic career or other demanding professions.

As a general rule, a Master's degree or an equivalent degree from an accredited university is the prerequisite for admission to the doctorate. Certain criteria regarding content as well as formal conditions (e.g. grade-point average, qualification phases) are also considered when processing applications.

Admission to Doctoral Studies

The requirements for admission and the admission procedures are set out in the ordinance for obtaining a doctoral degree at the faculty in question. Some faculties also offer a  fast-track  doctoral program, a program for particularly talented students in which the Master's degree and PhD are integrated in a single program of study. The individual programs define their PhD programs' admission procedures – which, as a rule, are highly competitive.

Please note that PhD candidates must be matriculated at the University for the duration of their doctorate, i.e. until they have been conferred the final degree. 

Application and admission Application period

Writing a PhD thesis – independent and original academic work – forms the core part of the doctorate. The thesis can take the form of a monograph or consist of several publications on a single subject which have been published in scientific journals (a cumulative PhD thesis). You can find more information about the formal requirements in the doctoral program regulations for your subject area. As a general rule, however, the thesis should be of such scope and content that it can be completed within three years.

The required coursework serves to enhance subject-specific skills, but also goes toward developing transferable skills. All coursework will be recorded in your final transcript of records and Academic Record. Coursework requirements can be fulfilled by attending courses in your subject area, by visiting classes from the main pool of courses in transferable skills (transferable skills and university-level teaching), or, in some cases by attending courses at another institution. Alongside the required coursework (including transferable skills), it is highly recommended that PhD candidates develop their teaching skills. Transferable skills courses University-level teaching  

In many disciplines at UZH there are two types of doctoral programs offered: the individual doctorate and the structured doctoral programs . Moreover there are also interdisciplinary and inter-university schools or programs, partly financed by third-party funds. Doctoral Programs

Because the various faculties at UZH are thematically and structurally so diverse, each faculty is in charge of designing its own PhD program.

Be sure to read about the specific requirements at the faculty in question.

Various types of academic employment opportunities at UZH are open to junior scholars. During doctoral study, you can find employment as a «PhD candidate» or an «academic assistant»; postdocs receive positions as «postdocs» or «senior research and teaching assistants». These junior academic positions are an integral part of the procedure when pursuing an academic career. Junior academic positions are by nature temporary and are funded either by the university department in question or by a third party. Junior academic positions give young scholars the opportunity to achieve their next professional goal and to further qualify themselves for a career in academia. The main requirement for earning the necessary academic qualifications is performing individual research, but junior researchers are also given the opportunity to qualify themselves for teaching roles. In 2003 the guidelines for specifications at UZH faculties for employees holding junior academic positions were issued to define the rights and duties of UZH employees in junior academic positions. These were revised in fall 2023 and a new employment model was defined, which will come into effect on January 1, 2024. Employees with the status of a junior academic receive individual specifications which refer explicitly to their job description.

This UZH platform provides neccesary information from visits & exchange at the UZH to Visa, entry and residece permit. UZH for International Students and Scholars FAQ for International Students and Scholars

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Successful phd.

Food for thought for beginning PhD candidates

Collection of links to relevant topics

Mobility, Continuing education and courses, Career & Networking, Scientific integrity and Counseling

Best Practice for Doctoral Education

The guideline shows ways and possibilities to strengthen the quality, attractivity and internationalization of the doctorate at UZH.

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Faculty of Science

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Students who complete our doctoral program are awarded the doctoral degree of Dr. sc. nat. – doctor scientiarum naturalium ). The degree requires students to conduct original, independent research and usually takes between three and four years. We offer doctoral programs that have an excellent international reputation in the following fields. Graduate Schools

• Life Science Zurich Graduate School
• Zurich Graduate School in Geography
• Zurich Graduate School in Mathematics
• Graduate School in Chemical and Molecular Sciences Zurich
• Graduate School in Physics
• Graduate School for Computational Science and Astrophysics and Cosmology

Ansprechpersonen

Biomolecular Structure and Mechanism Director:  Prof. Dr. Raymund Dutzler

Cancer Biology Director: Prof. Dr. Maries van den Broek

Chemical and Molecular Sciences Director:  Prof. Dr. Roland K.O. Sigel

Computational Science Director:  Prof. Dr. Romain Teyssier

Ecology Director:  Prof. Dr. Owen Petchey

Epidemiology and Biostatistics Director:  Prof. Dr. Milo Puhan

Evolutionary Biology Director:  Prof. Dr. Kentaro K. Shimizu

General Doctorate Director:  Prof. Dr. Ulrich Straumann

Geography/Earth System Science Director:  Prof. Dr. Ross Purves

Integrative Molecular Medicine Director:  Prof. Dr. Thierry Hennet

Mathematics Directors:  Prof. Dr. Thomas Kappeler  and Prof. Dr. Michael Struwe

Microbiology and Immunology Directors:  Prof. Dr. Leo Eberl  and Prof. Dr. Annette Oxenius

Molecular and Translational Biomedicine Director: Prof. Dr. Christian Wolfrum

Molecular Life Sciences Director:  Prof. Dr. Michael Hottiger

Neuroscience Director:  Dr. Wolfgang Knecht

Physics Director:  Prof. Dr. Andreas Schilling

Plant Sciences Director: Prof. Dr. Samuel Zeeman

Public Understanding of Science Director:  Prof. Dr. Kai Niebert

RNA Biology Director: Prof. Dr. Frédéric Allain

Science and Policy Director:  Prof. Dr. Ueli Grossniklaus

Systems Biology Director: Prof. Dr. Jörg Stelling und Prof. Dr. Uwe Sauer

Theoretical Astrophysics and Cosmology Directors:  Prof. Dr. Ben Moore  and  Prof. Dr. Lucio Mayer

Application and Admission Procedure

Important note: If you originate from a foreign country, which is not a member of the European Union it is of utmost importance, that the following procedure is followed exactly as specified below.

Chart - How to become a PhD student and what the administration offices will do for you (PDF, 97 KB) .

• Application to the Admissions Office of the University of Zurich .
• Visa application for non-EU students.
• You cannot start working on your doctoral thesis in Zurich until you have obtained a visa and a work permit.

Contacts for PhD students

If you encounter problems during your PhD studies, there are several offices at the Faculty of Science you can contact.

• Your first point of contact is always your doctoral committee or the  human ressources representative at your institute. 
• Then you should contact the director of your PhD program.
• In the last resort you can contact the Persons of Trust of the Faculty of Science .

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Department of Informatics

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The Doctoral Program of Informatics is where academia and industry meet, where theories are developed and challenged in praxis, where new knowledge is created, and where scholars emerge. The Department of Informatics offers Switzerland’s best application oriented informatics and, internationally, ranks among the best institutions in its field. Application areas range from business information systems to social sciences, linguistics, natural sciences, and medicine. The Department creates joint research ventures and integrates their results in the teaching of students. In addition, internationally renowned visiting professors regularly give courses on special topics. All of us in the Department of Informatics wish you good fortune as you pursue your advanced degree, and we hope you will contact us if we can help you along the way.

Direct Links

Programs Description of our Doctoral Programs

Admission Information about the admission process

PhD: While studying All the information you need while doing your PhD (e.g. Curriculum, PhD Proposal Defense, PhD Thesis, PhD Defense, Publication)

Summer Schools Information about the current and past PhD Summer Schools

IfI Colloquium Information about the current and past IfI Colloquium Series

Team/Advisory Service Contact information

PhD Theses Archive

Here you find the PhD theses published at IfI since 1968.

Weiterführende Informationen

Best practice guideline for doctoral education at the university of zurich.

• Best Practice Guideline

Bereichs-Navigation

Unterseiten von phd.

• Admission/Registration
• PhD: While studying
• Summer Schools
• IfI Colloquium
• Team/Advisory Service
• Previous IfI Colloquia

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Graduate School of Business

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The Graduate School of Business at the University of Zurich (GSB-UZH) aims to educate PhD students to become the next generation of leading researchers, teachers and practitioners. Our mission is to provide rigorous training for an academic career and to produce future leaders in business research and education. Our Structured PhD Course Program is one central pillar to that mission and provides rigorous education to prepare our students to face future challenges. Our other pillars are cutting edge research and translation of our results to practice.

Students in the Structured PhD-Course Programs specialize in one of four fields of study: Management, Organization and Strategy; Managing Human Resources and Education; Accounting, Auditing and Corporate Governance; Marketing . In addition, all PhD students take the General Program to acquire a solid theoretical and methodological basis in business administration and take courses on Generic Competencies.

As a student in our structured PhD programs you will receive a profound training in management, behavioral, and economic sciences as well as a strong foundation in quantiative and qualitative methods necessary for an academic career in your chosen field. At GSB-UZH you benefit from small classes and your are in intensive interaction with faculty members research problems that are highly relevant and of interest to the academic and business world. You will also benefit from the opportunity to interact extensively with fellow PhD-students within one of our four fields of study.

Further reading

Doctoral Programs (Study Tracks and Fields of Study) Application and Admission

Weiterführende Informationen

Useful links.

• University of Zurich
• Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics
• Department of Business Administration
• Open positions (Department)
• Open positions (University, all)
• UZH for Doctoral Candidates
• UZH for International Students and Scholars
• Graduate Campus
• Research Funding (Grants Office)

University of Zurich Department of Business Administration Graduate School of Business Plattenstrasse 14 8032 Zurich Switzerland

• Doctoral Programs
• Application and Admission
• Student Section
• Public Thesis Defenses

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PhD Program Biomedicine

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The comprehensive study and understanding of organ function in health and disease requires multidisciplinary approaches in basic, applied and translational biomedical research. The PhD program “Biomedicine” (BioMed) is part of the Life Science Zurich Graduate School (LSZGS) and imparts knowledge, concepts and modern technologies to address complex questions in biomedical sciences on a molecular, cellular and systems level with the vision to advance clinical translation and improve patient care. BioMed offers students a strong and interactive program that combines groups from the University of Zürich (UZH), the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETHZ) and the University Hospital Zürich (USZ). The highly international scientific environment at the institutions combines cutting-edge research with a modern teaching curriculum.

The PhD students of the PhD program in Biomedicine can not only choose from a broad selection of research topics and participate in front line science, but can also take advantage of a large number of graduate courses on various topics. Topics range from human physiology to cancer biology, stem cells, genomic medicine and laboratory techniques. They also include transferable skills like statistics, project management for research, scientific writing and career planning. The PhD program organizes an annual retreat for scientific exchange and networking among students.

The PhD students of BioMed can either register at the University of Zürich or the ETH Zürich, depending on the affiliation of their direct supervisor and her/his research group.

Students can apply to the program via Track I by May 1st and November 1st through the website of the LSZGS or via Track II (see application ). Enrollment into the program is decided by an admission committee.

• Research groups
• Current students
• Application
• Travel Grant
• Documents to download and useful links

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Faculty of Medicine

Quicklinks und sprachwechsel, main navigation, md-phd-programm, table of contents, general information, admission requirements, program structure, study guide and curriculum, interfaculty md-phd committee impk.

The MD-PhD Program enables medical students and graduates (in addition to their regular degree in medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine) to gain a basic natural science education which allows them to conduct regular doctoral studies at the Science Faculty of UZH, without previously attaining an MSc degree in natural science. The program serves as an entry point for medical students and graduates into the Life Science Zurich Graduate School. The role of the MD-PhD program is to select eligible candidates and to coordinate their integrated science education. The program consists of original research (doctoral thesis) as well as of curricular content (propaedeutic studies).

The MD-PhD is oriented exclusively toward Master students and graduates of degree courses in human medicine, veterinary medicine or dentistry. The MD-PhD program can be entered as MD-PhD Track I in parallel to the medical Master studies at UZH. Applicants to the Track II program must hold a Master's degree from a university in human medicine, veterinary medicine or dentistry.

The MD-PhD program is supervised by an Interfaculty steering committee (IMPK), which consists of representatives of the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Vetsuisse Faculty.

Track I: The Track I MD-PhD program is open to students who are enrolled in a medical Master program at UZH, with at least good grades during their Bachelor studies.

Track II: Students who have earned at least a Master’s degree in human medicine, veterinary medicine or dentistry. We recommend that candidates enter the program no later than five years after completing their medical degree. Admission of applicants from outside Europe is subject to the recognition of their degree by the Admission Office of UZH.

Graduates of other fields such as biology, pharmacy, or biochemistry are not admitted.

In addition to fulfilling the requirements of the regular doctoral studies at the Science Faculty, MD-PhD students are required to earn additional ECTS credit points in the framework of the MD-PhD propaedeutic studies.

Track I: The propaedeutic studies are entered in parallel to the medical Master studies at UZH. The doctoral dissertation is conducted after earning the medical Master degree.

Track II: Both propaedeutic studies and doctoral dissertation are conducted after attaining a medical Master degree (human medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry).

The doctoral dissertation must be carried out in one of the research groups of UZH affiliated to the Life Science Zurich Graduate School. Students must endeavor independently to secure a position in a host laboratory.

The study guides for students and supervisors as well as the curriculum of the propaedeutic studies can be downloaded on the right.

3 years minimum

Dr. sc. nat.

The doctorate is conducted in the frame of one of the PhD programs of the Life Science Graduate School (MNF).

Regulations: https://www.mnf.uzh.ch/de/studium/reglemente/phd.html (in German)

Medical doctorate degrees (Dr. med., Dr. med. dent., Dr. med. vet.) are not awarded in the framework of the MD-PhD program. They have to be obtained separately from the respective faculties.

The MD-PhD program is supervised by an Interfaculty steering committee (IMPK), which consist of representatives of the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Vetsuisse Faculty.

The responsibilities of the IMPK include:

• Supervision and coordination of the MD-PhD program
• Supervision and coordination of the MSc Medical Biology program
• MD-PhD program
• Clinical Science
• Biomedical Ethics & Law
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Current members:

• Prof. Dr. Adriano Aguzzi (President, supervision MD-PhD)
• Prof. Dr. Nicole Joller (Vice President, supervision MSc Medical Biology)
• Prof. Dr. Felix Beuschlein
• Prof. Dr. Urs Greber
• Prof. Dr. Johannes Loffing
• Prof. Dr. Bjoern Menze
• Prof. Dr. Anne Müller
• Prof. Dr. Christian Münz
• Prof. Dr. Chantal Pauli
• Prof. Dr. Hanspeter Nägeli (Vetsuisse representative)
• Prof. Dr. Nikola Biller-Andorno (representative for Biomedical Ethics & Law)
• Prof. Dr. Milo Puhan (representative for Epidemiologie und Biostatistik)
• Prof. Dr. Beatrix Latal (representative for Clinical Science)

Artemi Bendandi, Coordinator E-mail: [email protected]

Weiterführende Informationen

Study guides

Study guide MD-PhD until 2021

Study guide MD-PhD from 2022

Information for Supervisors

Propaedeutic Studies

Application deadlines

• 15. Juni

• 15. Dezember

Confirmation of Host Laboratory

National MD-PhD Scholarship

https://www.samw.ch/en/Funding/MD-PhD-Program.html

Open MD-PhD position

PhD position at University Heart Center

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Structured PhD Program «Epidemiology and Biostatistics»

Quicklinks und sprachwechsel, main navigation, welcome to the phd program in epidemiology and biostatistics.

The PhD program in Epidemiology and Biostatistics is one of 17 programs of the Life Science Zurich Graduate School offering a dynamic and stimulating international research environment. The overall goal is to train PhD students in designing, conducting and analyzing research studies in biomedicine. Depending on the specific research area students are expected to acquire core competencies in epidemiology or biostatistics.

The duration of the program is approximately 3-4 years. Graduates will obtain their PhD from either University of Zurich or ETH Zurich, depending on the affiliation of the main supervisor. The program language is English. If you are interested in the methodological foundations of clinical and population-based biomedical research and would like to join our PhD program, please apply through the online application system . For further questions, do not hesitate to contact us .

The program has close ties to the Master Program in Biostatistics and the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute at University of Zurich.

Weiterführende Informationen

Life Science Zurich Graduate School

Director: Prof. Dr. Milo Puhan Coordinator: Dr. Marco Kaufmann [email protected]

• Application
• The Program
• EBPhD career support
• Documents and links

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Life Science Zurich Graduate School

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About the Graduate School

• A few facts in our favour
• Life Science Zurich

• Application
• Application process
• Candidate registration

PhD programs

• PhD program coordinators
• Main locations
• Useful links

• Courses for PhD students
• Transferable & methodological skills courses
• Program specific courses
• Skills development courses

• Advice for PhD students

PI & DissGo

• PI information

Weiterführende Informationen

• Apply here to one of our PhD programs

The next application deadline is May 1, 2024

Curious about us?

Watch this video and find out what some PhD students think about our Graduate School!

Do you have any QUESTIONS?

Check the  FAQ  section for answers regarding eligibility, PhD studies, tuition fees, employment and more.

• PhD Programs
• Helpful links

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Department of Chemistry

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A master's degree is the prerequisite for starting a PhD. This study consists mainly of independent research work, but also additional courses, seminars and attendance at congresses. The PhD program should promote independent thinking and an extended knowledge of chemistry. The PhD study can mainly be arranged by the PhD student in discussion with the supervisor. With the PhD degree the student should be able to take over and to solve independently scientific research problems. The study ends with the award of the PhD degree (Dr. sc. nat. = PhD). The regulations for the PhD studies can be found here.

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Graduate School CMSZH

The Graduate School of Chemical and Molecular Sciences Zurich (CMSZH) is a melting pot of science and innovation, offering a highly competitive Ph.D. program for a comprehensive and challenging education.

• To the website of CMSZH

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Department of Psychology

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All important administrative information about the doctoral studies in Psychology can be found on the webpages of the Graduate School of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences : https://www.phil.uzh.ch/en/studies/doctorate.html

• PhD according to regulations 2019 (for matriculations by fall semester 2019)
• Regulations
• Research Funding and Grants for Doctoral Students
• External links

Weiterführende Informationen

German Version

To subscribe to the mailing list, please send an e-mail to

[email protected]

Subscribe for the Postdoc- mailing list (course vacancies)

Register here

Central offers of the University of Zurich for PhD students

• Graduate Campus • Continuing Education in University Teaching and Learning  

• PhD according to regulations 2019
• Research Funding / Grants

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Faculty of Law

Quicklinks und sprachwechsel, main navigation, doctoral program of the faculty of law, table of contents, application, recognition of externally conducted doctoral colloquia.

The doctoral program of the Faculty of Law generally takes three years and includes the composition of a doctoral thesis and modules totaling at least 30 ECTS credits.

The doctoral thesis should be in the form of a monograph and should make an independent contribution to current research.

The curriculum comprises two compulsory modules, along with additional modules that can be selected individually. In addition, a large selection of further education programs exist both inside and outside the university. An official assessment must be obtained for each module.

Students have the option of having work and ECTS credits completed before the beginning of the doctorate program recognized. The responsible Doctoral Committee will decide whether to grant recognition.

The curriculum is divided into:

• compulsory modules totaling 12 ECTS credits
• modules from the core elective pool totaling 18 ECTS credits

The PhD candidate will provide the Doctoral Committee with a suggested module selection at the beginning of the doctorate program. This suggestion will be discussed and the outcome documented in the doctoral agreement.

Compulsory Modules (12 ECTS credits)

Core Elective Pool (18 ECTS credits)

* The Doctoral Committee will determine the requirements regarding the official assessments and number of ECTS credits awarded for successfully completed official assessments. They will be documented in the doctoral agreement.

The modules must be booked in the Module Booking Tool during the booking period. Booking includes registration for the official assessment. This excludes the doctoral colloquia, registration for which must be lodged with the relevant professorship.

Die Module sind während der Buchungsfrist im Modulbuchungstool zu buchen. Mit der Buchung erfolgt die Anmeldung zum Leistungsnachweis. Davon ausgenommen sind die Doktorandenkolloquien, wofür man sich direkt über den jeweiligen Lehrstuhl anmelden muss.

Modules available from web course catalogue

Modules available from the Center for University Teaching and Learning

Modules involving transferrable skills

Prerequisites

Admission to the doctoral program is subject to the approval of the Admissions Committee and the admission requirements of the ordinance for obtaining a doctoral degree .

• Appointment of a head instructor (completion of the doctoral candidate confirmation)
• Selection of additional members of the Doctoral Committee together with the head instructor (application for appointment of the Doctoral Committee)
• Submission of application documents to the Admissions Committee (please note the application deadline)
• (possible personal interview )
• The Admissions Committee decides who is to be accepted into the doctoral program
• Enrolment or change of degree program at the Admissions Office

Application Documents:

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae with photograph
• Copies of prior degrees and educational certificates
• Doctoral candidate confirmation
• Enrolment record as PhD student and/or proof that the prerequisites for enrolment have been met (Master of Law Degree or equivalent and faculty member as supervisor)
• Application for appointment of the Doctoral Committee
• Two letters of recommendation
• Synopsis, to be no more than five pages in length (will give some piece of information regarding your research project and ambitions, the questions, preliminary work and the current status quo of your appropriate and relevant literature and research). 

Application period

• Fall semester: 1 April - 31 May
• Spring semester: 1 September - 31 October

All information on the recognition and crediting of externally completed doctoral colloquia, can be found here .

Weiterführende Informationen

Contact student center.

University of Zurich Faculty of Law Study Dean's Office Student Center

• Consultation hours Student Center
• Doctoral Program Regulations
• Doctoral Agreement
• Application for Appointment of the Doctoral Committee
• Doctoral Candidate Confirmation

Information

• Web Course Catalogue
• Booking Modules

How to Finance your Doctoral Thesis

Information about the financing of your doctoral thesis can be found on the homepage of UZH for Researchers.

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Employment as a doctoral candidate or teaching / research assistant

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Below are basic principles, parameters, Q&A, and documents that provide an overview for doctoral candidates and teaching / research assistants and serve as a guideline for supervisors and recruiters when hiring. 

On August 29, 2023, the Extended Executive Board of the University approved a completely revised set of regulations on the general outline of rights and responsibilities of the faculties for teaching / research assistants and doctoral candidates (Regulations on the general outline of rights and responsibilities), which will come into effect on January 1, 2024. The regulations of rights and responsibilities include provisions on employment, in particular on the share of tasks and working hours, of holders of junior academic positions, which apply to the entire university. For postdocs and senior teaching and research assistants, the previous regulations on the outline of rights and responsibilities of the faculties for holders of junior academic positions (only available in German:  Reglement über die Rahmenpflichtenhefte der Fakultäten für die Inhaberinnen und Inhaber von Qualifikationsstelle (PDF, 130 KB)  , PDF, 130 KB) remain unchanged. The aim of the new employment model is to strengthen PhD candidates at UZH by creating clear and transparent employment conditions, especially in the area of their own research time. In order to increasingly promote research work during the qualification phase, a minimum limit for the amount of own research work (protected time) will be defined and ensured.

Weiterführende Informationen

Presentation Meet-Ups for early career researchers  (EN) Presentation Meet-Ups for HR Representatives  (DE)

University acts and practices at UZH

Models and parameters

Description of the new model, graphical representations and requirements

Current regulations 2023, templates new doctoral agreement and individual outline of rights and responsibilities 

Questions and Answers

General Questions, recruiting for the year 2024 and existing employment

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Department of Astrophysics

Quicklinks und sprachwechsel, main navigation, phd programme in computational science, graduate school for computational science.

The PhD programme in Computational Science is a joint initiative of the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, which aims to:

• Foster sustained interactions between PhD students, faculty and staff
• Promote exchanges between academia, industry and society enabled by computational science

Computational Science (CS) integrates Information Technology and Mathematics to address scientific and societal challenges such as Energy, Health, Climate and Finance.

CS is a unique method of scientific inquiry, complementing theory and experiments, providing us with unprecedented potential for scientific discovery and innovation.

Application and enrollment

The Computational Sciences PhD programme is a 3-4year MSc to PhD program. Participating students can choose from a broad selection of research topics and classes. Enrollment into the program is decided by an admission committee. In order to graduate, students need to fulfill the following requirements:

• Acquisition of 12 credit points of advanced courses
• Deposition and defense of a Ph.D. thesis describing the student’s original research work,
• Additional requirements imposed by the host institution (University of Zurich or ETH Zurich) so as to comply fully with their regulations.

The final degree is conferred by either the University of Zurich or the ETH Zürich, depending on the academic affiliation of the host laboratory.

Official PhD regulations for the Computational Science Programme: PDF EN / PDF DE

Link to the Regulations Governing PhD Studies at the MNF

Link to the official page of the Graduate School for CS

Admissions to Promotion - Useful links and documents:

Admission to Doctoral Studies at the University of Zurich

Factsheet Admission to a PhD Program at the Department of Astrophysics (PDF, 621 KB) Checklist for PhD students

"Confirmation of Supervision for Doctoral Students" (PDF, 242 KB)

"Acceptance Confirmation Structured Doctoral Program" (PDF, 225 KB) Annual committee meeting minutes (PDF, 1 MB)

Confirmation Sheet - TA Hours (PDF, 224 KB)

Fact sheet PhD Defence (EN) / Merkblatt (DE)

Program Director Prof. Dr. Robert Feldmann [email protected]

• Press Enter to activate screen reader mode.

Taking a doctorate at ETH Zurich is an excellent investment for your future scientific career.

With 4500 doctoral students out of a total of over 25'000 students, ETH Zurich is one of the universities in Europe which focuses most intensively on research. Doctorates make a significant, fundamental contribution to that research work. They are based on research projects that are carried out independently, with the support of a professor.

Apart from a few exceptional cases, all doctoral students at ETH Zurich are employed as scientific assistants. However, they are not only employees but also students, and they are obliged in the course of their doctoral study to continue their education, inside and outside their specialist area. Another important component of a doctorate is learning how to educate others. That is why every doctoral student plays an active part in the teaching work of their department.

At the end of their research project, the results are compiled in a thesis that is defended in an oral examination. On successful completion of their doctorate, students are awarded the title “Doctor of Sciences (Dr. sc. ETH Zurich)”.

FAQ Doctorate

Frequently asked questions about doctoral studies

• Phone phone +41 44 632 26 72
• contacts vCard Download

ETH Zurich Academic Services Rämistrasse 101 HG FO 23.4 8092 Zurich Switzerland

Appointments

Consultations by appointment only in urgent cases and preferably via Zoom. For all other matters, you can contact us by e-​mail or by telephone.

Please send documents and forms by e-​mail and doctoral theses (deposit copies) by (internal) mail or hand them in at Campus Info .

All communication during your doctorate will be sent exclusively to your ETH e-mail address. Therefore, please check your ETH e-mail inbox regularly.

Further information

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Cancer Biology

(doctoral program), degree program: doctorate faculty of science.

General description Admission requirements ECTS credits Degree Language of instruction

General description

The PhD program in Cancer Biology trains participating students towards a PhD (Dr. sc. nat. or Dr. sc. ETH Zürich) in basic or clinical cancer research. In the course of the studies, the students’ scientific achievements actively contribute to the success of cancer research in Zurich. To be admitted to the program, the students must hold a Master Degree in biological sciences and pass an admission interview. The original research carried out during the course of the studies must be described in a PhD thesis, which is externally reviewed. Subject to a positive review, the students must defend the thesis in a public presentation that is followed by a closed examination by the responsible faculty members. During the course of the studies, the students must acquire at least 12 ECTS credits, and attend four mandatory courses and one students’ retreat. Furthermore, the PhD students are required to hold regular meetings with their thesis committee.

Admission requirements

Admission to doctoral study is governed by the ordinance on admission to studies at the University of Zurich (Verordnung über die Zulassung an der Universität Zürich VZS). The main requirement for admission to doctoral study is a Master's degree from a university or an equivalent degree. Each PhD project must receive approval from a professor at the Faculty of Science or from a person who has the right to confer a PhD at the Faculty of Science. There is no general right to be granted admission to a PhD program. Admission may be made contingent on conditions and/or restrictions in the form of additional coursework. Conditions must be met prior to admission to doctoral study; restrictions may be fulfilled during doctoral study. Coursework required to meet conditions and/or restrictions may not exceed a total of 60 ECTS credits; requirements are specified according to the demands of the subject in which the PhD thesis will be written. The Vice Dean of Studies decides on admission, on recognition of similar degrees, and on conditions and/or additional requirements that may apply. As a rule, the language of instruction in the PhD programs is English. All applicants whose native language is not English, or whose prior studies have not been conducted in English, are required to provide proof of sufficient knowledge of English.

ECTS credits

12 ECTS Credits

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Language of instruction

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RIT graduate pursues Ph.D. across time zones

Nastaran Nagshineh, center, defended her Ph.D. thesis at RIT in April. Faculty from RIT’s Rochester and Dubai campuses served on her thesis committee and include, from left to right, Kathleen Lamkin-Kennard, Steven Weinstein, Nathaniel Barlow, and David Kofke (a professor at the University at Buffalo). Mohamed Samaha participated remotely and appears on the video screen behind the group and alongside Nagshineh’s picture.

Nastaran Nagshineh is one of the first Ph.D. candidates to bridge RIT’s Rochester and Dubai campuses. Her accomplishment creates a path for future students at the university’s international campuses.

Nagshineh completed her Ph.D. in mathematical modeling while working full time as a mathematics lecturer at RIT Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, teaching as many as five classes a semester. She described her Ph.D. journey as “an exercise in perseverance” due to competing demands and long days. Rochester is eight hours behind Dubai, and the time difference meant many late-night classes and meetings.

“I saw this collaboration as an opportunity, rather than as a challenge, because my primary adviser, Dr. Steven Weinstein (RIT professor of chemical engineering), and my co-adviser, Dr. Mohamed Samaha (RIT Dubai associate professor of mechanical engineering), both have the same area of research interest,” she said. “They both worked toward my success.”

Nagshineh is one of 67 RIT Ph.D. students who defended their thesis this academic year and who will earn their doctorate. RIT awarded 63 Ph.D. degrees in 2023.

In 2020-2021, RIT’s Graduate School met and surpassed the university’s goal of conferring 50 Ph.D. degrees during an academic year. That number will continue to grow as students cycle through the seven new Ph.D. programs that RIT has added since 2017, said Diane Slusarski , dean of RIT’s Graduate School.

Meeting these goals puts RIT on a path toward achieving an “R1,” or research-intensive designation, from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning. RIT is currently ranked as an R2 institution . Many factors go into changing a university’s status, including research investment and maintaining a three-year average of 70 Ph.D. degrees awarded per year, according to Slusarski.

“We have met the goals of the strategic plan, and now we look forward to contributing to the research innovation in the future,” Slusarski said. “We want to help the new programs thrive and win national research awards.”

RIT’s emphasis on high-level research is seen in Nagshineh’s Ph.D. work. She applies mathematical modeling to the field of fluid dynamics. Her research has been published in top-tier journals and has gained notice, said Weinstein, her thesis adviser.

Weinstein describes Nagshineh’s accomplishments as “a testament to a fantastic work ethic and commitment” and is inspirational to younger students at Rochester and Dubai.

“The collaboration between RIT Dubai/Rochester has continued,” he said. “Another paper was submitted a few weeks ago with Mohamed Samaha and Nate Barlow (RIT associate professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics) as co-authors, as well as Cade Reinberger, a younger Ph.D. student in my research group.”

Mathematical modeling is one of RIT’s newer Ph.D. degree programs, and Nagshineh is among its earliest graduates. The program has doubled in size since it began accepting students in 2017, Slusarski said. This past fall, the mathematical modeling program had 35 students, with two graduating this year.

Altogether, RIT has 13 Ph.D. degree programs currently enrolling 438 students, with computing and information sciences accounting for the largest with 117 students. RIT’s other Ph.D. programs include astrophysical sciences and technology , biomedical and chemical engineering , business administration , color science , electrical and computer engineering, imaging science , mechanical and industrial engineering , microsystems engineering , and sustainability .

New programs in cognitive science and physics will launch in the fall.

The growth in RIT graduate education—with more than 3,000 master’s and doctoral students—reflects a demographic change in the student population, Slusarski said. “We have a higher percentage of women in the graduate programs than we have for RIT undergraduate programs.”

RIT’s graduate programs enroll 42 percent women, according to Christie Leone , assistant dean for the Graduate School.

Nagshineh, who also holds an MS in electrical engineering from RIT Dubai, welcomes her role as a mentor to other women students on both campuses.

“As a young woman in an Arabic country, the power of women is often underestimated and undervalued, and I hope to serve as a role model to female students, especially those that question their path,” Nagshineh said.

She plans to continue in her career as a professor and a researcher. “I would like to pursue a research program where I can advise my own students and teach them more deeply.”

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