phd switzerland

PhD In Switzerland: Everything You Need To Know

Switzerland is known for its degrees in business , is home to some of the best institutes of technology, and is a world leader in science and engineering. This fact makes it the perfect country to continue or advance your education, especially to crown it with a PhD.

Universities

A PhD is the highest degree a person can obtain from a university, and it stands for Doctorate in Philosophy. It is not related to philosophy-related studies. It is a doctorate, possible in any discipline, except medicine, and sometimes theology. Some PhD’s require a Master’s degree.

These are the best Swiss universities that offer PhD programs in many disciplines.

Best universities for international students

It is estimated that around 50% of PhD students in Switzerland are international students. This big percentage is a factor of the great universities and PhD programs in Switzerland. It is a circle; the good universities attract lots of students, and a large number of students encourage international universities.

No matter what angle you look at it from, Switzerland is an overall great country to live and study in. Swiss universities generally rank relatively high compared to other world universities.

These are the best Swiss universities that offer PhD programs, as well as their world ranking:

The University of Zurich is one of the best universities in Switzerland. They rank 58th in the world .

The University of Geneva’s PhD programs provide students with a high-quality education for an academic career in economics, econometrics, management, statistics, finance, and information systems. They rank 59th in the world .

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne offers customized PhD programs, cutting-edge laboratories directed by internationally renowned professors, a modern, fast-developing campus, satellite sites in French-speaking cantons, and close ties to industry. They rank 81st in the world.

The University of Basel has been developing around 40 PhD programs since 2010. They rank 96th in the world.

Language of instruction

Tuition in Switzerland can be generally low compared to other countries, but what about the overall costs once you r elocate for your academic program ? Here is a breakdown of the basics.

Cost of studying

The cost of studying in Switzerland depends on the university you choose to finish your doctoral studies. As you move to higher levels of education, the tuition fees get lower . A bachelor’s degree tuition is higher than a master’s one, and a master’s tuition is higher than a PhD.

Tuition fees for PhD programs in Switzerland range around CHF 1000 to CHF 2000. But sometimes Swiss universities advertise their PhD programs as paid assistant jobs. This way, you don’t have to pay your tuition fee, and you get paid for the job you’re doing.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Switzerland for a PhD student depends on a personal choice of recreational activities, but it’s somewhere around CHF 1600 – CHF 2000 for monthly expenses.

Accommodation

Average price: Studio – CHF 900 to 2000/per month, Shared flat – CHF 500 to 900/per month

Clothes, personal care, entertainment

Average price: CHF 75-100/per week for groceries

Public transport

Average price: CHF 100/per month

Health insurance

Average price: CHF 90/per month

Utilities and memberships

Average price: CHF 350/per month for utilities, gym membership, Netflix membership, and internet bills.

C lothes, personal care, entertainment

Depends on your lifestyle.

Scholarships for PhD students

As for other specific scholarships from universities , we have another guide where you can find everything out in detail.

Eligibility

These are some of the things to bear in mind when applying for a Phd program in Switzerland .

Residence permit

All students (even those coming from an EU or EFTA member country) will still have to apply for a residence permit for a stay longer than six months. Students from all other nationalities apply directly for a visa in their country of origin, usually issued within eight weeks.

Language certificates

All universities usually require a language certificate proving you know the language of instruction. In most cases, you’ll need to know the respective language at a minimum C1 level. Some of the widely recognized certificates are:

• For English – IELTS score of 7, TOELF score of 600 or 100 (paper-based or online), and Cambridge CPE or CAE.
• For German – Goethe Certificate C1 or TestDaF with TDN 4
• For French – DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) C1
• For Italian – CELI (Certificazione Italiano Generale) C1 or PLIDA (Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri) C1

PhD Salary in Switzerland

Wondering how much do PhD students get paid in Switzerland? What about postdocs? To compensate for the high cost of living, Switzerland’s salaries are some of the highest in the world.

PhD students and postdocs tend to get employed by universities on a fixed-term contract—and they get paid well. Additional benefits may also apply, such as reduced public transportation or free access to all the university gyms.

PhD student salary in Switzerland

The  average PhD student salary  in Switzerland is around CHF 50,000 per year. However, if not fully employed, the pay will be accordingly less.

Postdoc salary in Switzerland

The median postdoctoral salary in Switzerland is around CHF 80,000 per year. Entry-level positions start at CHF 43,200 per year, while most experienced workers make up to CHF 94,000 per year.

Dear Sir, My request is to have details of P.hD. in embedded systems ,machine learning etc as my son is pursuing Ms thesis in electrical and computer engineering in Purdue school of engh.zUSA which will be completed in june2020 or earlier depending upon his defence date. He is very much eager to hv his P.hD done from one of the best colleges of Switzerland.pl help in this regard with last dt of appln,fee,required qualificationsetc. With regards Uday Kumar Sinha Calcutta India

We have written an article in which we have listed some of the best PhD programs in Switzerland and have included everything related to those programs. You can find it here: 1 2 Best PhD Programs in Switzerland . We hope this article will answer your questions.

We wish the best of luck to your son.

Satisfactory

Thank you, Uday.

Am from from Africa Kenya a member of the Commonwealth countries whose official instruction is English Language. Will be pleased to study specialize in finance for i have done Bachelor of Commerce (Finance Option) and Master of Business Administration (Finance Option) undergraduate and Masters degree programme options

I ‘m very satisfied with the informations I gained from this website and hope to see by applying for the PHD I want. Studying in such a stable Country’s University is GOd sent opportunity for those secured and recieved. Blessings, Chucha Gobena From Ethiopia

Thank you, Chucha,

Happy to help.

Thank you for the information. I am a Canadian citizen, originally from Sri Lanka. I like to do my PhD in Applied Linguistics. Switzerland, as I heard, is one of best countries in the world. No one has ever said to me anything bad about Switzerland. I would love to explore that country as well as do my research. I wonder whether this PhD is recognized around the world, whether I can survive with English and the money I would receive.

If my medium of study till master’s is english still IELTS or GRE is mandatory for pursuing P.hd in Switzerland?

Would you have information or ranking on accredited Part time PHD programs in Switzerland for professionals? Thank you.

Can you plz write an article on PhD in Astrophysics, Astronomy from University of Zurich …??

I am currently living in india I have a double Post graduation degree. One in commerce and the other in business administration. Besides the mentioed degree I have a MPhil in commerce too. I have 12 yrs of teaching experience at various MBA colleges in India. I’m interested in pursuing PhD in management/marketing in Switzerland. Can you please guide me accordingly. Thanks in advance.

hello sir, i want to persue my ohd in business or commerce from Switzerland. Will you help me to know the procedure and is there any scholarship provided for the programme. I am from india . Thankyou

Hello sir, I have done my post graduate in law, and I want to pursue my PhD in law from a good University in Switzerland, can you please let me know about the suitable universities for law and also everything related to scholarships and other ways to meet the financial aspects.

With regards, From Assam, India

Thank’s so much for info.

Thank you for all the information in your website, they are quite helpful. I am Irish and live in Ireland.

Is it possible for me to get funded law PhD in Switzerland? If that is possible, please how do I go about it.

I will appreciate if you can come back to me on this query.

Many thanks

Is GRE needed for PhD in Switzerland? How is the biotech field in Switzerland (especially in Virolgy and immunology)? And how much importance do professors give to papers published by students for selecting the PhD candidate?

Hi I want to pursue a phd in swiss. But it shall be double doctorate. I have already acquired one from Malaysia. Will swiss universities allow me to pursue my dream to acquire a doctoral degree which will be my second one.

can you help in this.

regards Zain

Dear sir, This is Eakub Ali. from Bangladesh currently living in Tokyo, Japan. I have completed an MBA in Finance from Bangladesh and joined national and multinational companies in the accounting sector for more than twelve years. Then I got admitted to another MBA and moved to Solbridge International School of Business, (AACSB accredited) South Korea. from where I came to Meiji University, Japan through the double Masters Degree program and I completed my MBA this month. Now I have an intention to do my PhD.

Would you please tell me the whole process of PhD admission in Switzerland, when admission starts and what is the requirements for admission? I would be very helpful if you please help me providing necessary information.

Thanks in advance and very best regards,

I would like to pursue my PHD studies in Public Health,please assist me with the relevant universities and the process for application.Do they allow part time studies and do they fund the studies?

Can any assistant professor of India become assistant professor in Switzerland with his indian educational qualifications.?

Please guide me about the procedure of applying for PhD in Eth Zurich in biomedical engineering. I am currently the student of M.Tech. Clinical Engineering at IIT madras .Is there any benefit given to IIT student?

Dear person in charge,

What are the costs and details of an online PhD or Doctorate in Business Administration in Switzerland?

Kindly, include all possible details, especially names of business schools and programs’ contents

Is the language proficiency certificate mandatory for postdoc applicants too?

Are there part time PHD Programs in Switzerland in business management dubjects?

Thank you Mahesh

typo – = please read it as Management Subjects

Whether PhD programs for English literature and Psychology is available Also want to know whether Scholarships for these projects are available When we have to apply for this programme When the admission is

Hello sorry for disturbing but I want to ask if there is any PhD program in HR in universities in Switzerland so please can you give me the names of universities that offer for me PhD in HR. THANKS IN ADVANCE.

SURPRISE KWESI AMENUVOR, Am from from Africa Ghana a member of the Commonwealth countries whose official instruction is English Language. I study Bachelor Of Science in Business administration specialize in Banking and Finance Option) and Master of Business Administration (Finance Option) I will like to Apply for PHD in Finance.

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University of Central Florida

Founded as a public institution in 1785, UGA boasts an illustrious history in higher education. Today, Georgia's flagship university offers online programs to make a UGA degree more accessible. The online courses limit class sizes and use the same high academic standards as on-campus classes. UGA offers an online bachelor's degree in special education and multiple online graduate programs in education. Degree-seekers can also earn master's degrees in community nutrition, international biomedical regulatory sciences, emerging media, and avian health and medicine. Other available online master's programs include business, technology, and social work.

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University of Georgia is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

10% your international health insurance for life!

Scorestudies includes higher benefits than the Swiss compulsory health insurance, it is very often on a full refund basis and no co-​payment of 10% is required. In case of emergency, hospitalisation or prescribed medication, you are fully reimbursed by Allianz Care.

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Doctoral study programmes

At ETH Zurich, doctorates are not organised within an overall doctoral study programme in the way that students may be familiar with from other universities. Each doctoral student is free to select and assemble the components of their doctoral studies for him or herself. However, the departments do have the option of organising and offering their range of courses for doctoral studies in the form of doctoral programmes.

The Life Science Zurich Graduate School, for example, offers this kind of programme. There are 16 highly competitive doctoral programmes, run jointly by ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. The aim is to attract the most promising young scientists from across the world by offering a comprehensive and challenging education for doctoral students in biosciences.

If you are interested in one of the doctoral programmes available at ETH Zurich, please visit the following pages:

• external page call_made Life Science Zurich Graduate School
• external page call_made Zurich Graduate School Mathematics
• external page call_made Zurich Graduate School in Computational Science and Engineering CSE

Joint Doctoral Programs

Graduates of the following programs will obtain a joint doctoral degree certificate from ETH Zurich and the partner institution.

> Contact the Doctoral Administration

Degree Programs & Courses Doctorate

Doctoral degree, doctoral study at the university of bern.

You can either take the doctorate within a graduate school or as part of a doctoral degree program, or you can even take a traditional individual doctorate. Graduate schools and doctoral degree programs are arranged on an interdisciplinary and/or interuniversity basis in many cases. In addition to research-related training and intensive support, these also offer excellent opportunities for networking within the academic community.

An A-Z of doctoral subjects

• Archaeology
• Business Administration
• Cellular and Biomedical Sciences Med./Nat./Vet.
• Central Asian Studies
• Chemistry and Molecular Sciences
• Classical Philology (special qualification in Greek or Latin)
• Old Catholic Theology
• Climate Sciences
• Cognition, Learning and Memory
• Communication and Media Studies
• Dental Medicine
• German Language
• German Language and Literature
• German Literature
• Digital Humanities
• Eastern European Studies
• Ecology and Evolution
• Economic Globalisation and Integration
• Earth Sciences
• Protestant Theology
• Gender Studies
• Geography and Sustainable Development
• Global Studies
• Health Sciences hum/med
• Human Medicine
• Computer Sciences
• Interdiciplinary Cultural Studies ICS
• Islamic Studies and Oriental Literature
• Italian Linguistics and Literature
• Social Sciences
• Art History
• Language and Society
• Languages and Literatures in English
• Linguistics
• Linguistique/Littérature françaises
• Mathematics
• Molecular Life Sciences
• Physics/Astronomy
• Political Science
• Public Administration
• Religious Studies theol.
• Science of Religion Human.
• Slavic Languages and Literatures
• Social Anthropology
• Spanish Linguistics and Literature
• Sport Science
• Criminal Justice
• Theater and Dance Studies
• Administrative Science
• Veterinary medicine

Further information

Transferable Skills - Key Qualifications for your academic and non-academic Career

Transferable skills program for doctoral students and postdocs of every discipline.

Funding program «UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs»

The University of Bern, with its funding program «UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs», supports doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers in attending short research stays abroad, to advance their own research projects and to gain more international experience. Next application deadline: March 1, 2023

Open calls for ENLIGHT initiatives

The University of Bern and ENLIGHT support bottom-up initiatives by lecturers for challenge-based education projects in the six focus areas of ENLIGHT. Especially for early career academics, this is an opportunity to build an international network and gain interdisciplinary teaching experience.

UniBE Doc.Mobility

UniBE Doc.Mobility is granted for stays abroad which usually last twelve months. Support takes place in the form of an employment as a doctoral student, but with a place of research abroad. Application deadline: March 1/ September 1

Promotion Fund

In cooperation with the Intermediate Staff Association of the University of Bern, the Vice-Rectorate Research calls for proposals to the Fund for the Promotion of Young Researchers twice a year.

MVUB - Lunchtalks

Lunchtime events concerning academic career, working conditions and intermediate staff politics.

Innovative higher education teaching

The University of Bern's Department of 'Hochschuldidaktik & Lehrentwicklung' supports you in your teaching activities with coaching and around 50 events a year.

COMET – Coaching, Mentoring und Training

The COMET Career Programme supports female researchers in successfully pursuing their academic careers.

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International PhD Program

PhD Program

PhD students can expect an extraordinary wealth of research expertise, a wide range of courses, intensive individual mentoring, an international community of researchers from over 40 countries and a stimulating student life.   

Research at the Biozentrum embraces a wide range of research fields . Yet the  31 research groups  also share a main focus: the strong interest to understand how molecules and cells create life. We have studied this mystery for more than 50 years and are one of the leading Life Sciences institutes in the world, spawning several Nobel laureates.

As a PhD student at the Biozentrum, you will become part of an international community. More than 130 young scientists from around the world are currently doing their PhD here. You will engage in an independent research project under the supervision of a Biozentrum faculty member and a PhD advisory Committee. Apart from a strong mentoring program, you will also benefit from the open and collegial atmosphere that encourages creativity and critical thinking. 

Graduate Teaching Program Besides the practical training in the latest methods and techniques in modern-day molecular biology research, you will profit from the rich, interdisciplinary  Graduate Teaching Program  offered in collaboration with different partners. 

The program includes the lecture cycles in Infection Biology, Neuroscience, Growth and Development, Structure and Function of Macromolecules, Computational and Systems Biology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine and also practical skills training in scientific communication, imaging, proteomics, genomics and biophysical techniques. 

Career development activities To promote scientific exchange and the interdisciplinary teamwork between the research groups, we also organize an annual symposium. The Biozentrum Symposium offers young scientists in particular a platform to gain experience in presenting their research findings. 

Karoline Berneiser, PhD Student: “What is unique here is that so many different disciplines work so closely together. Not only spatially but also in terms of approach. The thinking is cooperative and interdisciplinary." 

As a PhD student, you will also regularly attend scientific meetings and organize, together with your colleagues, your own seminar series,  PhD Club , career guidance events and an annual two-day  PhD Retreat  . 

Who are we looking for? We are looking for talented and eager graduates, with a background in biological or biomedical sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics and/or computer science.  For application information for Direct to Lab Applications click  here . For application information for the Biozentrum PhD Fellowships Program click  here . 

Geschäftsordnung Biozentrum International PhD Program

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PhD & MD-PhD Programs

• PhD Program
• MD-PhD Program
• Application
• Student Life

Why choose the FMI?

Science : The FMI is an international leader in biomedical research in the fields of Neurobiology, Genome Regulation and Multicellular Systems. It provides interdisciplinary training and access to state-of-the-art technology platforms. Our affiliations with the University of Basel and with Novartis, as well as our location at the center of the greatest European Life Sciences hub, provide numerous opportunities for scientific collaborations.

Training : A wide range of theoretical and practical courses are available at both the FMI and the University of Basel. FMI provides an annual PhD orientation afternoon and a Scientific Inquiry Course for first year PhD students, as well as a PhD retreat outside the FMI. Most students participate in “progress reports” to discuss science and practice their presentation skills. Many labs provide journal clubs. In addition, students participate in the FMI Annual Meeting and are encouraged to attend international conferences to present projects and develop their networks.

Mentoring : PhD students are mentored throughout their PhD by their supervisor (group leader) and by their thesis advisory committee members. There may also be initial supervision/collaboration by/with more senior students or postdocs in their labs.

Support : PhD students are supported by the PhD program coordinator (for administrative management), the PhD representatives (to bring forward ideas and concerns of students) and the Dean of students (liaison with the University of Basel and confidential advice). In addition, PhD students can consult our dedicated Guidance Counsellor for confidential support on any issues concerning projects, mentors, lab environment, work/life balance or career planning.

Career development : Group leader supervisors, the Head of Human Resources, and the Guidance Counsellor are key people supporting students’ career development. PhD and Postdoc representatives organize career events and professional development workshops with external trainers. In addition, many workshops on career development are offered through the Basel University Graduate Center. FMI PhD students are also able to join an employee program at Novartis, matching them with an industry mentor.

Life at the institute : With staff of more than 40 different nationalities, the FMI offers a truly international, open and welcoming environment. All FMI students are encouraged to organize and participate in activities outside the lab (e.g. sport groups, movie nights...). Happy Hours are held once a month on Friday afternoon, sometimes including barbecues on the rooftop terrace. The annual PhD retreat provides a relaxed opportunity to connect with fellow students in a beautiful setting.

Life in Basel : Basel – the third largest city in Switzerland, with a rich cultural heritage – is a great place to live. It has a lot to offer in terms of culture, entertainment, dining, etc., while being easy to navigate thanks to its relatively small size. Located right on the border with France and Germany, and home to several multinational companies, Basel is highly international. As well as providing easy access to neighboring countries, it is close to the many beautiful places in Switzerland. Switzerland is an expensive country, but the FMI offers a generous stipend for living expenses.

Learn more about our PhD and MD-PhD programs in the various sub-sections (tabs at the top of the page).

Important Dates

We have two application rounds per year, with an application period of 2.5 months.

• Opening Spring round: February 15, 2024
• Closing: May 1, 2024
• Interviews: Week of June 17, 2024
• Next round: September 1, 2024
• PhD Program: [email protected]
• MD-PhD Program: [email protected]
• Student reps: [email protected]

Spotlight on FMIers

See all interviews: Spotlight on FMIers

Applicants must hold, or anticipate receiving before enrollment, a university degree that would formally qualify them to enter a PhD or equivalent program in their home country (MSc., Diploma, DEA etc.) Admission is competitive, involving a selection procedure that takes place twice a year (in January and June). The deadline for applications is 1.5-2 months prior to the selection procedure (in November and May).

A course of study at the FMI leading to a PhD degree of the University of Basel typically lasts four to five years. Thesis defenses take place at the FMI and are public.

Program highlights

• Welcome meeting for first year PhD students & Dean of Students, Guidance Counsellor and PhD student representatives
• Scientific Inquiry course for first year PhD students
• Annual check-ins with Guidance Counsellor
• Annual thesis committee meetings

Mentoring & support

The main supervisor and mentor of the PhD student is the leader of the research group. Students are also supported by their thesis advisory committee composed of internal and external experts whom the students choose together with their supervisor. The FMI put in place mentoring guidelines and conducts lab surveys on a regular basis to maintain excellence in mentoring.

Additional academic advice, professional development support and advocacy on behalf of the students is also available through the FMI Dean of Students and the Guidance Counsellor.

As Dean of Students, Marc Bühler acts as an academic liaison with the University of Basel. He offers confidential, impartial advice, and can help resolve problems by acting as a neutral intermediary between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University and the FMI.

As Guidance Counsellor, Piera Cicchetti offers individual counselling to promote the academic and professional development of students and resolve difficulties. She attends thesis committee meetings to support best practices, develops the training curriculum, and organizes professional development activities with students and postdocs.

Graduate courses

• neurobiology
• cell biology
• developmental biology
• biophysical chemistry
• structural biology
• systems biology
• bioinformatics
• infection biology

PhD students are required to complete 18 credit points (CPs) during their PhD thesis. A minimum of 6 CPs must come from the University of Basel approved graduate teaching program . A maximum of 12 CPs can be collected by active participation in meetings, practical courses, progress reports, group meetings, and the University of Basel transferable skills courses etc.

Compensation

The FMI provides financial support to graduate students in accordance with the scale of the Swiss National Science Foundation . Salary is generous relative to international standards for PhD students.

The FMI MD-PhD Program was launched in summer 2016 to provide the opportunity to research-oriented medical students and physicians to carry out cutting-edge biomedical research and do a PhD thesis. Students can benefit from the excellence of the well-established PhD program, the reputation of the Basel Medical School and a privileged relationship with the researchers of the major pharmaceutical company Novartis.

The FMI MD-PhD program is intended for individuals who have studied medicine and who wish to gain a deep knowledge in fundamental biological research by performing a PhD thesis. Students applying to the program must hold, or anticipate to receive before their enrollment, a university degree that would qualify them to enter formal clinical training / residency (e.g., a diploma in medicine or an approbation). They also should have some laboratory research experience and have done an experimental Master/Diploma thesis, which must be approved by the University of Basel. Admission is competitive, involving a selection procedure that takes place twice a year (in January and June). The deadline for applications is 1.5-2 months prior to the selection procedure (in November and May).

A course of study at the FMI leading to a PhD degree of the University of Basel typically lasts four years. It is the responsibility of the thesis advisory committee, together with the student and supervisor, to assess the project status and recommend when the thesis should be written/submitted. Thesis defenses take place at the FMI and are public.

The main supervisor and mentor of the MD-PhD student is the leader of the research group. Students are also supported by their thesis advisory committee composed of internal and external experts whom the students choose together with their supervisor. The FMI put in place mentoring guidelines and conducts lab surveys on a regular basis to maintain excellence in mentoring.

As Dean of Students, Marc Bühler acts as an academic liaison with the University of Basel. He offers confidential, impartial advice, and can help resolve problems by acting as a neutral intermediary between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University and the FMI.

Clinical work

Interested students can devote up to 20% of their PhD study time to clinical work - in agreement with their PhD supervisor at the FMI. The clinical work is done in conjunction with a Professor at the Medical Faculty of the University of Basel and will often be part of a collaboration between the FMI Group Leader and the Medical Faculty Professor.

General requirements

The application procedure is the same for the PhD and the MD-PhD Program. For the PhD Program, applicants must hold a university degree that would formally qualify them to enter a PhD or equivalent program in their home country (MSc., Diploma, DEA, etc). Please note that a Bachelor's degree does not qualify for entry into our PhD Program.

For the MD-PhD Program, applicants must have studied medicine and must hold a university degree that would formally qualify them to enter clinical training in their home country (Medical Diploma, Approbation, etc). Having documented research laboratory experience is strongly recommended.

There are two rounds of applications per year, with application deadlines in May and November. All applications are reviewed by group leaders who have openings within their teams. A group of shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews in June and January, respectively.

The application

Please fill in the online application form. Note that this information and relevant documents will be shared among various people within the FMI for assessment.

» Online application form (PhD Program) » Online application form (MD-PhD Program)

You should provide contact details of at least one referee familiar with your training and research experience. Multiple letters (up to three) are preferred. Referees will receive an individualized link to upload their letter (not visible to you) once you have submitted their contact information. We suggest to submit a first version of your application, containing contact information of referees early, in order to give referees sufficient time to provide their letters. You will be able to revise your application up to the deadline. Please ask your referee(s) to use this reference letter template:

» Reference letter template

• The application period for the spring/autumn round normally starts on February 15/September 1 respectively.
• Applications are open for a period of 2.5 months, with closing dates on May 1/November 15 respectively.
• The interviews take place approximately 7 to 8 weeks after each deadline, in person at the FMI in Basel.

For more information about the application process, please check out our Q&A section (FAQ tab above)

If you still have questions about the PhD Program, please contact Elida Keller at the FMI PhD Program office: [email protected] .

If you still have questions about the MD-PhD Program, please contact the FMI MD-PhD Program office: [email protected]

The FMI has an active student body of about 80 PhD students (and a few Master’s students) – coming from all over the world. Our students are supported by a PhD student representative committee that is elected every year. The main reason why students join the FMI is to conduct a successful PhD in an environment of scientific excellence. However, there are plenty of other reasons that make student life at the FMI appealing.

Our students have many training opportunities, and they organize and participate in various seminars and career events.

We have many sports fans at the FMI; associates can join several sports team, including a running team.

Our FMI football team always fights hard in our annual tournament against the Biozentrum and the ETH!

The yearly PhD retreat is a great opportunity to learn, and connect to fellow students in a relaxed setting in a beautiful location.

Everyone at the FMI can join the Monthly Happy Hours. Cheers!

We have by-weekly Happy Hours at the FMI. Cheers!

And life in Basel is great… especially in the summer!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Please refer to the frequently asked questions and answers below if you have any concerns regarding your application to the FMI International PhD Program or the FMI International MD-PhD Program (open to all countries).

Q: What are the required degrees / pre-requisites to be eligible to the FMI PhD Program and the FMI MD-PhD Programs, respectively? A: For the PhD Program , applicants must hold a university degree that would formally qualify them to enter a PhD or equivalent program in their home country (MSc., Diploma, DEA, etc.). For the MD-PhD Program , applicants must have studied medicine and must hold a university degree that would formally qualify them to enter clinical training in their home country (Medical Diploma, Approbation, etc.). Having documented research laboratory experience is strongly recommended.

Q: Is there an age limit to apply to the programs? A: No, there is no age limit to apply. The only formal requirement for application is a university degree as detailed above.

Q: Do I need an English certificate to apply to the program? A: No this is not required. Even though English is the business language used at FMI there is no requirement for you to have an English certificate.

Q: When should I submit my application? A: The PhD Program and the MD-PhD Program both offer two rounds of selection every year, with application deadlines usually in May and November and interviews in June and January respectively. The application portal is open approximately three months before each deadline and you can submit your application during this time when ever your feel is appropriate. You will be able to edit it up to the deadline.

Q: How many openings are offered in each round of selection? A: The number of openings varies and is only known at the application deadlines. All candidates who are invited to the interviews will be informed of groups with openings when receiving the invitation letter. This number is not communicated to the candidates who are not invited for an interview.

Q: Why is there no list of groups that will have positions available? A: Positions frequently become available only after the application deadlines. You may consider contacting a group leader directly if you wish to enquire about the availability of a position in a particular group. However, because we have observed in the past that students become excited about groups and research topics they had not initially considered, we encourage you to apply for and join the interviews with an open mind.

Q: In the application form, I am asked to indicate research groups at FMI that are of particularly interest to me and to write an essay on my specific research interests. Does this have an influence on the group I may join? A: No. Although we use this information to channel the application review, it is the quality, not the topic of the essay that matters most. Candidates that are invited to the interviews can freely explore all available openings, irrespective of previously expressed interests.

Q: Can I apply more than once? A: Although there is no formal limit on the number of times you can apply, we discourage re-applications because of their low success rates. Hence, you should only consider reapplying if you can update and revise your original application to strengthen it substantially. Please note that due to the volume of applications we are not able to provide feedback on the reasons that specific applicants were not invited.

Q: Can I submit my CV for review before I apply, so you can check that I fulfill all the requirements? A: Due to the very high number of applications we receive every session, this is unfortunately not possible. Please note that if you have the required degrees then you are allowed to apply.

Q: Do you offer PhD positions in Bioinformatics? A: Many group leaders at the FMI are involved in bioinformatics projects and FMI has a dedicated Bioinformatics platform composed of five permanent members. Thus, we encourage you to apply if you are interested in this field of study.

Q: Can I update my application once it has been submitted? A: Yes. Once you have submitted your application you will receive a confirmation email with a personalized link to update the content of the application. You will be able to modify your application until the submission deadline.

Q: Can I add/remove referees once I have submitted my application? A: Before the submission deadline, you may add referee(s) to the originally submitted list, but not remove them. Contact details for a total of up to three referees can be provided, and we prefer to receive more than one letter for a balanced assessment.

Q: Where is the link for my referee to upload the reference letter? A: Once your application has been submitted, an automated email will be sent to the referee(s) you have entered in the form. The email contains a personalized link for the referee to submit the reference letter.

Q: Once the reference letter has been uploaded by my referee, do I get informed? A: Yes. Once the referee has submitted the reference letter through our online tool, an automated email is sent to the referee and you to confirm that the upload has been successful. However, you will not see the content of the letter submitted. If you have not received a confirmation email close to the application deadline, we highly recommend that you contact your referee to ask for a status.

Q: I made a mistake in the email address of my referee, how can I correct it? A: If you realize that there is a typo in the email address of your referee we ask you to contact your referee and ask him/her to send an email to [email protected] for the PhD program, [email protected] for the MD-PhD program, in order to change the email address. You are not allowed to modify the email address yourself.

Q: Is the deadline for the referees to upload the reference letters the same as the deadline for the candidates to submit their applications? A: No, referees have one more week after the application deadline to submit the reference letters. However, we strongly encourage you to contact your referees few days before the application deadline to ensure that they send the reference letters on time.

Q: If I am accepted for an interview, will I be reimbursed for the trip and stay in Basel? A: Yes, the FMI will reimburse you for your travel expenses. You are required to book and pay your travel tickets (plane, train, etc.) ahead of your interview and the FMI will reimburse you based on the invoices provided. Your stay in the hotel will also be covered. The invitation letter you receive after having been selected contains more information and guidelines about the travel expenses. Please do not book your travel until you have confirmed your visit to the FMI.

Q: If I am accepted for a PhD position, will I receive compensation during my time at the FMI? A: Yes. The FMI provides financial support to graduate students in accordance with the scale of the Swiss National Science Foundation . . Income is generous relative to international standards for PhD students (see document in German - English).

Q: Are there any additional steps when applying for the MD-PhD Program? A: The application and first interview process are the same for both Programs. If you are accepted as an MD-PhD candidate by the FMI you will be invited for an additional interview with the Medical Faculty of the University of Basel. Whenever logistically possible, this second interview will take place shortly after the FMI interview. If not possible, the second interview will take place a few weeks later.

If your question is not listed above, please contact [email protected] (PhD Program) or [email protected] (MD-PhD Program) for information.

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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.

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GENEVA GRADUATE INSTITUTE

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PhD Programmes at the Graduate Institute, Geneva

PhD programmes at the Institute require a four-year commitment, with the first three semesters in residence. During the first two semesters, you will take theoretical and methodological doctoral seminars before presenting a preliminary thesis at the end of the third semester, with the defence of your thesis taking place at the end of the eighth semester. Our PhD programmes meet the established requirements for accreditation in Switzerland. The courses are taught in English, however the thesis could be written either in English or French.

We offer six disciplinary PhDs:  PhD in Anthropology and Sociology ,  PhD in International Economics ,  PhD in Development Economics ,  PhD in International History ,  PhD in International Law  and  PhD in International Relations/Political Science .  

how to apply

PHD IN ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY  

• Four-year programme
• Provides students with theoretical perspectives and methodological tools to explore the social and cultural systems that influence policy interventions
• Involves a year of coursework and preparation followed by extensive fieldwork and a dissertation

PHD IN DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS  

• Four-year programme centered around a research dissertation
• A crucial field at the heart of policy debates
• Fieldwork opportunities in developing countries

PHD IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS  

• Stimulating collegiate work atmosphere
• Trains students to undertake innovative research 

PHD IN INTERNATIONAL HISTORY & POLITICS  

• Combines coursework, seminars, preliminary thesis and doctoral thesis
• Equips students with the analytical, conceptual and methodological tools to successfully complete original book-length research

PHD IN INTERNATIONAL LAW  

• Designed for outstanding students with a strong commitment to international law
• Research supervision available for a wide range of topics
• Learn more ​​​​​​​

PHD IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS / POLITICAL SCIENCE  

• Stand-alone four-year PhD programme or Fast-track master’s/doctoral program allowing students to complete a master’s and PhD within five years
• Designed to prepare students for a research-focused career in international relations

The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva is pleased to announce the opening of 30 fully funded 4-year PhD positions in our 5 departmental programmes in Anthropology and Sociology, International Economics or Economics of Development, International History and Politics, International Law, International Relations and Political Science.  The d eadline  for application  is 15 January 2022 . Each of the six 4-year PhD packages distributed by each department will combine 2 years of full scholarship followed by 2 years of teaching assistantship.  

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40 PhD jobs in Switzerland

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• PhD positions in Zurich (27)
• PhD positions in Basel (6)
• PhD positions in Dübendorf (4)
• PhD positions in Lugano (1)
• PhD positions in Birmensdorf (1)

Other countries

• PhD positions in Belgium (156)
• PhD positions in Netherlands (117)
• PhD positions in Sweden (54)
• PhD positions in Germany (26)
• PhD positions in France (26)

Search results (40)

PhD Position in Musculoskeletal Robotic Systems

PhD Position in Musculoskeletal Robotic SystemsProject backgroundThe future of robotic manipulation and locomotion lies in the development of systems that closely mimic the complex structures and i...

Biozentrum PhD Fellowships – Summer Call 2024

The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is one of the leading life sciences institutes in the world. Its fundamental research embraces a wide range of topics such as biochemistry, biophysics, phy...

PhD Position: Nanotechnology for Gas Sensing

PhD Position: Nanotechnology for Gas SensingThe research of the Human-​centered Sensing Laboratory centers around physics, chemistry and medicine to gain new fundamental understanding in micro/nano...

PhD Position: Molecular sensor system engineering for food applications

PhD Position: Molecular sensor system engineering for food applicationsBy 2050, the United Nations expects the world population to grow to 9.7 billion people. Considering restricted fresh water and...

PhD student for the further development and validation of a novel sensor selection methodology for autonomous driving applications

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. ...

PhD Position: Personalized Prediction and Prevention of Dropouts in Digital Biomarker Studies

PhD Position: Personalized Prediction and Prevention of Dropouts in Digital Biomarker StudiesExciting technological advances in wearables and biosensors rapidly transform how we monitor and manage ...

International Fully Funded PhD Positions in the Life Sciences in Switzerland

*New application deadlines for two open calls per year: November 1 and May 1!Life Science Zurich Graduate School offers more than 100 funded PhD positions. With around 500 research groups and more than 1600 Ph.D. students, the Life Science Zurich ...

PhD Position in Digital Identities for Regenerative Materials

PhD Position in Digital Identities for Regenerative MaterialsThe Chair of Circular Engineering for Architecture (CEA) at ETH Zurich is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual to fill a ...

PhD position in Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion

PhD position in Electrochemical Energy Storage and ConversionThe Electrochemical Energy Systems Laboratory (PI: Prof. Lukatskaya) in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zuri...

Ph.D. in the Area of AI-Enabled Precision Health

Deadline: June 30th, 2024The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) has opened a full time (100%) position for a PhD student in AI-enabled Precision Health at the Department of Innovative Technologies (DTI) located...

PhD Position / Assistantship in Social Anthropology (60%)

The Program of Social Anthropology at the University of Basel, Switzerland, is searching for a doctoral fellow with a strong training in - and innovative ideas for - the theory and methods of socio...

PhD in Electrochemical and materials engineering for nerve regeneration

PhD in Electrochemical and materials engineering for nerve regenerationAre you passionate about pushing the boundaries of biomedical and electrochemical engineering? The Lukatskaya and Herrmann Lab...

PhD position in the field of carbon-based quantum spin devices

Phd position in machine learning seismology.

PhD Position in Machine Learning SeismologyThe Swiss Seismological Service (SED) at the Department of Earth Sciences at ETH Zürich invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in Mac...

PhD Position in Self-assembled Colloidal Micromachines

PhD Position in Self-assembled Colloidal MicromachinesWe welcome applications for a PhD position in the field of interface and colloids science. The position will be based in the Multi-Scale Roboti...

Doctoral (PhD) student in Integrated planning and operation of energy systems

Doctoral (PhD) student in Integrated planning and operation of energy systemsThe Automatic Control Laboratory of ETH Zurich is a community of approximately 50 researchers working on the development...

PhD position in the field of Quantum Machine Learning (Prof. A. Lucchi, Dr. Stefan Woerner and Dr. David Sutter)

The University of Basel (Prof. Aurelien Lucchi) and IBM Research Zurich (Dr. Stefan Woerner and Dr. David Sutter) are seeking applications for a PhD position in Quantum Machine Learning. This posit...

PhD position in social acceptance of artificial and sustainable fuels

The Sustainability Research Group at the University of Basel is looking for one PhD candidate to investigate social acceptance of artificial and sustainable fuels.The political support of conventio...

Two PhD / PostDoc positions in Financial Markets

The research group of Financial Markets, under the direction of Prof. Dr. Yvan Lengwiler, of the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Basel, invites applications for two assistant...

PhD Opportunity in Biomedical Ethics and/or Social Psychology

Project: The Institute for Biomedical Ethics (IBMB) at the University of Basel (http://ibmb.unibas.ch/), is dedicated to research and teaching of biomedical ethics at the Medical and Science Facult...

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• Epidemiology, Public Health and Insurance Medicine

PhD in Epidemiology, Public Health and Insurance Medicine

University of Basel students pursuing a PhD in epidemiology, public health or insurance medicine have the option of doing so through either the Faculty of Sciences or the Faculty of Medicine. The choice usually depends on the faculty affiliation of the main supervisor(s) and the specific topic of the thesis. The faculties have similar regulations, the details of which are provided in the Student Handbook.

PhD Epidemiology, Faculty of Sciences

The Interdisciplinary PhD in Epidemiology ('Fakultätsübergreifendes Promotionsfach Epidemiologie') is open to students from a variety of backgrounds, namely biology, medicine, medical biology, microbiology, molecular biology, infection biology, parasitology, environmental sciences, medical anthropology, medical sociology, pharmacy and pharmacology, and health economics. The programme is described in detail in the specific rules and regulations for PhD study ('Wegleitung für fakultätsübergreifende Promotionsfächer') available at the faculty's webpage. Note that this regulation is currently under revision.

Further Information

• PhD Regulation of the Faculty of Science (Promotionsordnung)
• PhD Regulation of the Medical Faculty (Doktoratsordnung)
• University of Basel

PhD Epidemiology/Public Health/Insurance Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

Students who seek to complete a PhD in epidemiology, public health or insurance medicine supervised by members of the Faculty of Medicine or in an area more specifically rooted in medicine (e.g. clinical epidemiology), may consider the PhD in Epidemiology/Public Health/Insurance Medicine. More information about this option is available on the PhD Program in Health Sciences website .

Registration in the PPHS is open to PhD students in any of the following subject areas: epidemiology, public health, insurance medicine, clinical research, drug development, sport sciences, and nursing science, as well as all PhD students from the Science Faculty at Swiss TPH. All PhD students pursuing public health relevant topics are eligible for the SSPH+ Inter-University Graduate Campus , if their first supervisor is a faculty member.

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PhD in Switzerland Pursuing a doctorate in Switzerland as a foreigner

Astonishingly, over 50 percent of PhD candidates at Swiss universities are international students. World-renowned institutes, a growing emphasis on doctoral education, multilingual education, funding for early career researchers and travel opportunities are just a few of the attractions.

Swiss PhD programmes

How long does a doctorate in switzerland take, applying for a phd in switzerland, phd salaries in switzerland, scholarships for phds in switzerland.

Switzerland’s universities have experienced considerable growth in recent decades and have ambitious plans to increase the number of doctoral researchers in the country. The Swiss are rightfully proud to be home to universities that are regularly ranked among the best in the world, including the renowned ETH Zurich (which has produced over 20 Nobel laureates, including Albert Einstein), the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EFPL ) and the University of Zurich . The country's academic history stretches back to the 15th century, when the first university was founded in Basel in 1460 , an institution that remains top-notch today.

The universities’ offerings have been so successful in recent decades that SwissInfo ran the headline in February 2024: “Are Swiss universities victims of their success?” The online news outlet, part of the public broadcaster SRG SSR, also reported in the same story that EPFL is considering capping slots for international students to ensure it can maintain its high quality of education. The university reported that fully 85.7 percent of its doctoral candidates are from abroad. Still, with universities booming, it is unlikely we will see the alpine nation shut its doors to international doctoral students anytime soon.

Currently, students seeking to study in Switzerland have four types of universities to choose from:

• 10 cantonal universities ( Universitäten ), which are run by individual Swiss cantons
• 2 federal institutes of technology ( Eidgenössische Technische Hochschulen )
• 9 universities of applied sciences and arts ( Fachhochschulen ), including eight public institutions and one private university
• 20 universities of teacher education ( Pädagogische Hochschulen )

PhD students are most likely be based at a Swiss cantonal university or a federal institute of technology, since they are the only institutions of higher learning in the country [CH3] allowed to award recognised PhD titles. While universities of applied sciences and arts are not entitled to award doctorates, they may offer doctoral studies in collaboration with other universities that provide the primary PhD supervision and award the degree.

With four national languages, multilingualism is an inherent part of Swiss identity , and that linguistic diversity is also present in academia. Universities normally teach in the language of their canton (German, French or Italian) or in English. And although Romansh is spoken in some areas, it is not a language of instruction at universities.

As in other countries, the Swiss PhD is research-based and entails independent work towards an original thesis that contributes significant new knowledge to the field of study. There are two typical routes towards a PhD in Switzerland:

•   Traditional or general PhDs  at a single university with one or more advisors: Students spend most of their time working on their doctoral thesis, but opportunities for additional training and development may also be offered.
•   Structured PhDs , a relatively new development, come more formal training, which may include coursework, and often entail collaboration between different institutions, including partnerships between different types of institution.

Assistant Professor of Virus-Host Interactions

Full Professorship (W3) for Molecular Medicine

Postdoctoral Position in Computational Social Science

There is no standard length of study for PhDs in Switzerland . Candidates can expect to spend between two and seven years , depending on their field and programme, though traditional programmes tend to be on the shorter end of that spectrum. Doctoral candidates are assigned at least one academic supervisor, who will act as a mentor for their project in addition to providing guidance and support for the research. Some Swiss PhD programmes, especially structured ones, involve two or more supervisors.

The main product of the PhD is the doctoral thesis, which will be assessed by an oral examination or defence after submission. In Switzerland, this process takes place in a public setting. Candidates present their PhD thesis in front of a panel of experts, including at least one external examiner from outside the university.

PhD opportunities in Switzerland can be found by searching for advertised projects and programmes or by browsing information on university websites. In most cases, a master’s degree in a relevant subject is a prerequisite for applying . Other requirements depend on the type of PhD being applied for. If responding to an advertised project or position, applicants will need to submit a personal statement, an academic CV and references ( more information here ).

Candidates devising their own PhD topic generally must submit a research proposal outlining their project , its objectives, methodology and outcome . Applicants should also submit supporting material, such as references. Applications for structured PhD programmes may not require an initial research proposal because students often develop their project during the first year of the doctorate. Applicants may also be required to take a test to prove their competence in the language of instruction .

Application procedures may vary between individual doctorates and PhD programmes. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the requirements for the program to which they are applying prior to submission. Most applications are submitted digitally through an online form. It is also important to contact the university regarding any additional documents, such as language certificates, that may be required as well as the specifications regarding the translation of supporting application documents.

Sometimes Swiss universities advertise PhD opportunities as paid research positions or assistantships . In this case, they normally hire PhD candidates as research assistants or PhD candidates. If awarded one of these positions, students do not have to pay fees while pursuing their PhD and receive a regular salary . Those hired may also be entitled to additional benefits, including sick pay and holiday leave.

In return, PhD candidates hired in these positions are normally expected to assist with undergraduate teaching and other administrative responsibilities . Job portals like academics.com publish positions for PhD students, but it is a good idea to check whether the prospective university offers these positions and what conditions they stipulate. Additionally, it is common practice to contact a professor or research group directly and ask about opportunities.There are also research positions at companies and universities of applied sciences, but they are less common.

PhD candidates at the ETH Zurich can expect to earn a salary of between 50,700 CHF and 83,200 CHF gross per year . PhD candidates in exact sciences and medicine are usually paid better than PhD candidates in life sciences, chemistry, arts and humanities.

However, a candidate’s salary and working conditions depend on specific contracts and workload, city of residency, marital status and number of children. The personnel consultants from human resources are responsible for determining salaries and are generally happy to provide that information if asked.

With our Job-Mail, you will receive suitable job ads as well as interesting content matching your search profile  on a weekly basis.

Universities and institutes offer scholarships for specific programmes, and some universities provide additional support to their PhD students in the form of financial loans, but the main source of funding for international PhD students in Switzerland is the  Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) . It awards Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, which are divided into research scholarships and art scholarships . These scholarships are aimed at young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree and at foreign artists holding a bachelor’s degree, respectively. They normally cover fees and living costs.

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