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Phd in switzerland for international students.

Herilalao Study in Switzerland 2 Comments

There are a few reasons why one might want to do a PhD. Mostly, it’s for a career advancement but also to conduct research and deepen your knowledge on a subject you’re passionate about. And Switzerland is one of those countries which had made a huge investment in the field of education. PhD’s candidates have access to some of the most prestigious institutions with cutting-edge research facilities. And they do so while studying in a stimulating environment with a high standard of living. You’re considering Switzerland for your PhD? Here are some crucial details to help you find the best program for you.

Table of Contents

Is it worth doing a PhD in Switzerland?

There are several reasons why you should study in Switzerland for your PhD. Starting by the reputation of excellence of the country, whose institutions and graduates have contributed to some of the most groundbreaking research programs in the world. Graduates from universities in Switzerland are highly skilled, innovative, creative, and the country counts the highest number of Nobel Prize per capita. 

Another reason to choose this country for a PhD’s degree is that among all the qualifications you can earn at Swiss universities , PhDs and MBA are the most popular ones. In other words, you can’t be wrong in considering this country to pursue research or further studies. And being a global hub for finance and business, career options are numerous once you’ve completed your studies in Switzerland.

Last but not least, you have the choice between 3 official languages of instruction: French, German, and Italian, depending on the canton you’re in. But there are also more and more programs in English, especially at graduate and postgraduate levels. 

How long is a PhD in Switzerland?

Switzerland being a signatory of the Bologna process, a PhD in the country is then a third-cycle qualification. It’s also the highest level of degree you can achieve in the country. And it will take between 3 and 7 years to complete it, depending on whether you pursue a traditional PhD or a structured one.

A traditional PhD tends to be shorter while a structured PhD, which involves additional training, may take longer. The other difference between the 2 types of PhD is that a general PhD takes place in one university, where the student is under the supervision of one or more academic experts. 

The structured PhD, on the other hand, takes place at more than one institution. And it can even involve a collaboration between different institution types such as cantonal universities and universities of applied sciences. 

Moreover, the academic year in Switzerland runs from September to May. It comprises 2 semesters, from September to December and from February to May/June. However, PhD research may continue beyond these periods, while training only take place during semester sessions. 

Supervision and assessment 

Like in any PhD programs, students will have at least an academic supervisor to oversee their work. But in some cases, there might be a second or more supervisors involved, especially in the case of structured PhD. 

Each supervisor will then have a specific role in the student’s project, but all of them will provide overall mentoring, guidance and support along the research process.

The PhD program always results to the writing and submission of a doctoral thesis at the end of your research. The thesis must bring up a considerable yet unique contribution to the student’s field of specialization, something that is worth a publication and that other scholars and researchers can use. 

The candidate then will be assessed through a defense, in a public setting. The assessment is made by a panel of experts that includes at least one external examiner, from outside the student’s university. 

In the case of a structured PhD, some smaller assessments will take place along the way. This may be a coursework and some exams related to training modules. They will then need to undertake these exams in order to continue in their program. However, these small-scale assessments don’t affect the final grade for the PhD degree.

How to apply for a PhD in Switzerland?

As long as you have chosen your program and university for your PhD in Switzerland, you can easily navigate the application process. 

So how does it work? First and foremost, you need to browse available PhD positions. For that you have 2 options: visiting the websites of your university of interest or visiting portals that bring together any available PhD positions.

It’s common practice also to get in touch with a professor or a research group whose work has sparked your interest. You can then ask if there is any opportunity for you to do your PhD with them.

Entry requirements 

In the case you register for an existing position, requirements include a personal statement or cover letter, an academic CV, your references and any other file your university requires.

If you plan to conduct research on a topic you’ve provided, you need to add a research proposal to the list of documents. This dissertation should give details regarding the purpose of your project, its scope and the outcome you expect to get out of it.

Furthermore, students who apply to a structured PhD might not need an initial research proposal. This is because the student’s project has to be put in place during the first year of the PhD.

Read also about the requirements to study in Switzerland .

PhD in Switzerland in English 

PhD programs in Switzerland are either in the university’s canton language or in English. However, the possibility of a PhD program to be in English also depends greatly on the type of subject.

That’s why you’re more likely to get a degree in English with highly international subjects such as business, engineering or science. In this case, you’ll have to provide the classic paperwork proving your proficiency in English (IELTS, TOEFL…) depending on your university.

The cost to study a PhD in Switzerland is paid either for the entirety of the program or per term as it applies at some universities. Typically, Swiss universities are free to set up their own fees. 

Some may cost as low as €182 while some will cost more than €6,000 for the entirety of the course. If you’re given a price per semester, you then have to multiply it by 6 to get the total cost of a 3-year study program. 

Moreover, you need to consider other smaller fees for registration, examination and student union fees. But these costs will remain very low thanks to generous support from the Swiss government for higher education.

Of course, you’ll need to prepare for your living cost in Switzerland as an international student. 

How much is a PhD salary in Switzerland?

In some cases, PhD opportunities are advertised as paid research positions. Students then receive a regular salary as an employee of their university. Moreover, they are exempt from paying the study cost above. 

They also have the right to additional benefits such as a holiday leave. In return, they assist with undergraduate teaching and take care of some administrative tasks. This is a quite common practice at universities but a lot less at universities of applied sciences. 

PhD candidates receive on average a salary of CHF 2,000 to CHF 6,000 per month. The amount they earn depends on their level of experience. Beginners can get roughly CHF 48,000 per year while the most experienced candidate can get around CHF 60,000 per year.

Lastly, PhD students in medicine or exact sciences are more likely to get a better payment than those studying humanities or arts for example.

Can you work while doing a PhD in Switzerland?

To fund their PhD, international students in Switzerland can work up to 15 hours per week on school days and unlimited hours during holiday periods. For that, their potential employer needs to apply for a work permit on their behalf. 

They also need to contact the Swiss Immigration Authority to check about their rights to work and study in Switzerland. It’s important to keep in mind that PhD students can work only 6 months after the beginning of their program. 

And lastly, they must inform the immigration authorities whenever they undertake any employment in Switzerland.

Find out also how to work in Switzerland after graduation.

PhD in Switzerland with a scholarship

For students who don’t perceive any salary, the other source of funding they can look for is with the Swiss Federal Commission for Scholarships (FCS). This commission grants every year some scholarships based on merit, as well as a research scholarship. 

The latter is available at research universities, federal institutes of technology and universities of applied sciences throughout Switzerland. Any international students can apply for this funding as long as they meet the academic qualifications and provide a convincing enough PhD work proposal 

Moreover, this scholarship covers the candidate’s PhD fees and living cost in Switzerland.

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Can enrollment be given to a student in a phD program withless than 3.0Gpa? If yes, which universities in Switzerland does that?

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It depends on the university. To find out, please consult the websites of the universities you’re interested in. Here’s our article on Switzerland’s top universities , where you can visit their official websites.

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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

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PhD in Switzerland Pursuing a doctorate in Switzerland as a foreigner

A young indian PhD student in Switzerland

In Switzerland, doctorates can be obtained under excellent conditions © gorodenkoff / iStock.com

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.

Published: 2024-04-08

By: Claire Wenngren, Dacha Media

Swiss PhD programmes

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.

Current jobs and vacancies in Switzerland

ETH Zürich - Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich Hauptgebäude - Logo

ETH Zürich - Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich Hauptgebäude

ETH Zürich - Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich - Logo

ETH Zürich - Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich

Université de Fribourg - Logo

Université de Fribourg

How long does a doctorate in Switzerland take?

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.

Applying for a PhD in Switzerland

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.

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PhD salaries in Switzerland

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.

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Scholarships for PhDs in Switzerland

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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Le News revealed, ‘’Switzerland breaks record for the highest number of PhD students.’’ In 2017, the number of PhD students in Switzerland was 31,293, and in 2022, the number has grown twice more, 54,279. Pursuing PhD in Switzerland is a popular choice amongst international students for its QS-ranked PhD universities, fully funded PhD in Switzerland and a diverse choice in Swiss PhD programs. 

Did you also know that PhD graduates in Switzerland receive the highest salary? Working as a doctoral assistant in EPFL offers you 52,700 CHF/year on a general salary range. All of this clearly states your decision to pursue a Swiss PhD is a wise investment. Read along to explore your study and career options for PhD in Switzerland.  

Why Study PhD In Switzerland?

Before we can proceed further, let’s first understand why pursuing PhD in Switzerland is a great choice:

phd while working switzerland

  • QS-Ranked PhD Universities: Switzerland is home to multiple QS-ranked universities, especially PhD studies. A few are University of Zurich (Rank 70), University of Basel (Rank 138), etc.
  • Preferred choice by international students: Academics revealed 50% of PhD students in Switzerland are international students. As you also learnt above, the number of PhD students in Switzerland has increased since 2017. 
  • Different types of PhD: The Swiss PhD is of two types, general and structural. The general PhD refers to focusing n a doctoral thesis and may include training and development. The structural PhD includes more coursework, formal training and even collaboration with different institutions.
  • Multiple Scholarship opportunities: Studying PhD in Switzerland is easy due to the range of scholarship opportunities provided. These scholarships help fund PhD studies and provide payment convenience in recurrent student expenses.

Suggested: How is the education system in Switzerland?

An Overview Of Swiss PhD 

To help you get a better understanding of what to expect from a Swiss PhD study, we have curated brief information on the same:

Course Duration

3-5 years

Top PhD specialisations

Food science, Finance, Management, Law, Physics, Economics, etc.

Top PhD programs

Engineering, Education, Psychology, etc.

PhD tuition fees

8- CHF- 500 CHF/semester

Popular PhD universities

University of Zurich, University of Geneva, University of Bern, etc.

No of PhD universities

43

No. of PhD international students

54,279

PhD Academic Year

Spring/ Autumn 

PhD Cycle

Bachelor- 1st cycle, Masters- 2nd cycle, PhD- 3rd cycle

Suggested: Working in Switzerland

Top 5 Universities In Switzerland For PhD 

There are multiple universities to choose from when pursuing PhD in Switzerland for international students. These are popular choices amongst international students, and the universities offer multiple PhD programs to choose from. Here are the top 5 choices:

  • University of Lausanne
  • University of Bern
  • University of Zurich
  • University of Geneva
  • University of Basel

Details of each of these universities to study in Switzerland is mentioned below: 

1. University of Lausanne

University of Lausanne is a research institution that offers seven different facilities. It provides a range of PhD programs for international students to choose from. University of Lausanne is also home to multiple Nobel prize winners in PhD. 

Type

Public

220

Academic Reputation

32.8

International Student Ratio

61.7

PhD Programs Offered

PhD in Business Analytics, Actuarial Science, Economics, etc.

Average Tuition Fees

80 CHF/semester

Location

Lausanne

2. University of Bern

The University of Bern offers a diverse range of PhD programs for international students to choose from. The university is well known for its teaching methods and campus environment.

Type

Public

126

Academic Reputation

30.4

International Student Ratio

44

PhD Programs Offered

PhD in Art history, Business Administration, Computer Science, etc

Average Tuition Fees

200 CHF/semester

Location

Bern

3. University of Zurich

The University of Zurich is on the top list of the best PhD universities in Switzerland. Zurich is a popular student destination and the university offers a range of PhD programs based on different faculties. 

Type

Public

91

Academic Reputation

59.3

International Student Ratio

57.8

PhD Programs Offered

PhD in Informatics, Theology, law, etc

Average Tuition Fees

150 CHF/semester

Location

Zurich

4. University of Geneva

Another widely popular PhD choice is the University of Geneva . Geneva is well known for its academic excellence and the teaching methods they offer. With every PhD program, students are encouraged to do more self work. 

Type

Public

128

Academic Reputation

48.7

International Student Ratio

97.3

PhD Programs Offered

PhD in Biology-Medicine, Biomedical science, Neurosciences, etc

Average Tuition Fees

500 CHF/semester

Location

Geneva

5. University of Basel

The University of Basel is a great choice to pursue PhD studies as the list of PhD programs available here are multiple. The university has a great staff student ratio and offers better research based learnings. 

Type

Public

#=124

Academic Reputation

28.7

International Student Ratio

86.7

PhD Programs Offered

PhD in Ancient History, African Studies, Botany, Geography, etc

Average Tuition Fees

350 CHF/semester

Location

Basel

Suggested: View more PhD universities in Switzerland

Eligibility Criteria For Swiss PhD 

To pursue PhD in Switzerland, there are certain eligibility criterias that have to be met. These differ based on the university choice, but there are two standard processes for this field of study:

  • A Bachelor and Masters Degree
  • Language requirements

1. A Bachelor and Masters Degree

International students need to have a three year Bachelor's degree as well as a Master's degree or equivalent in the relevant field of study.

2. Language requirements

Based on the language of instruction of the PhD program, international students will write the language proficiency test like IELTS , TOEFL . For instance, for English, you require a C1 level to pass, etc.

Admission Process For PhD In Switzerland For Indian Students

To apply to the top PhD universities in Switzerland, here is an overview of the admission process:

  • Identify which PhD program you wish to study. Choose the PhD university that offers the same.
  • Search for a supervisor and confirm the supervision based on your PhD program choice
  • Visit the selected PhD universities' official website to learn about the entry requirements
  • Clear any tests required and attach them and other relevant documents to send before the application deadline. 
  • Pay the application fee ( 100 CHF-400 CHF)
  • Wait for confirmation, once accepted apply for the student visa and start arranging for funds

Suggested: How to apply for student visa in Switzerland?

Documents Required For A Swiss PhD 

When submitting your PhD application, there are certain documents that need to be attached. Ensure the below is checked:

  • All educational transcripts
  • Valid identity proof
  • Scorecard of exams required(ELP Scores, GRE , GMAT , etc)
  • Proof of payment
  • Proof of application fee payment
  • Signed declaration of consent
  • Information of residence with regards to last educational background

Note: Ensure all documents are translated as per the language enquired on the universities official website.

Cost Of Studying PhD in Switzerland

To study PhD in Switzerland, there are two cost factors you need to consider. These factors are important as they will contribute to your fund planning when you arrive in the country. 

Let’s learn about them one by one:

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees of doing a PhD in Switzerland ranges from 80 CHF- 500 CHF/semester.  

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Switzerland ranges from 1,400 CHF- 2,250 CHF/month. Most of your recurring monthly expenses will be accommodation, transport, health insurance, food, and miscellaneous expenses.  

Suggested: A detailed guide on cost of studying in Switzerland

Scholarship Opportunities To Study PhD In Switzerland

You can now study for a PhD in Switzerland with scholarship conveniently. There is a list of popular Switzerland PhD scholarships for international students. They help cover multiple expenses such as travel, etc and also offer grants. 

Here are the top 5 Switzerland PhD scholarships for international students:

University of Geneva

Pursue PhD in Life Sciences


Covers the cost of living in Geneva

Bizoentrum PhD fellowship in Life Sciences

Pursue any Bizoentrum PhD program


Covers full and independent funding for complete PhD program and also offers travel funds

Life Sciences Zurich Graduate School

Pursue PhD in Life Sciences


Provides financial support based on the PhD student salary

Swiss Excellence Scholarship for Foreign students

Pursue doctoral studies in any discipline


Covers monthly payments and exempts tuition fees, health insurance, airfare and housing, etc expenses

EPFL Postdoctoral Fellowships in Switzerland 

Pursue PhD project in EPFL


Provides salary for the academic year

Suggested: View more scholarships in Switzerland for international students

Career Opportunities After PhD In Switzerland

After completing PhD in Switzerland for Indian students, there are a range of job profiles to choose from. Based on your expertise and experience, the salary figure will fluctuate. On average a PhD graduate in Switzerland will earn 116,000 CHF/year. 

Here is an overview of the popular PhD job profiles and expected salary for each:

Lecturer

112,000- 272,000 CHF

Senior Research Analyst

110,000 CHF

Advanced Nutrition Aide

182,000 CHF

Clinical Psychologist

408,000 CHF

General Medical Practitioner

260,000 CHF

Suggested: What is it like to work in Switzerland?

Switzerland offers research-based PhD programs that are tutored well with the help of academic experts. Pursuing a PhD program should always be from an institute that offers a blend of theory and practical approaches whilst also offering additional knowledge about the real world. Luckily this is exactly what a PhD in Switzerland will offer you. With all the information listed above, it's time to apply to top universities in Switzerland for PhD .

Frequently Asked Questions About PhD In Switzerland

Is GRE required for PhD in Switzerland for Indian students?

Yes, GRE scores are required for PhD studies in Switzerland. GRE Analytical- 3.5 and GRE Quantitative- 165

Can you study PhD in Switzerland In English?

Yes, most PhD programs in Switzerland are taught in English.

Can PhD students work in Switzerland?

Yes, PhD students are allowed to work for 15hrs/week during semesters and unlimited in holidays. Suggested: How to do part-time jobs in Switzerland?

Is it easy to get a Swiss PhD?

To get accepted in a PhD university, you need to have a good academic score in your previous educational qualifications. Based on this, the university will measure your candidature. 

Can PhD in Switzerland for international students complete their PhD in one year?

No, to complete your PhD studies in Switzerland, international students will take up to three to five years based on the PhD programs in Switzerland chosen. 

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Universität Bern

Degree Programs & Courses Doctorate

Doctoral degree, doctoral study at the university of bern.

phd while working switzerland

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
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phd while working switzerland

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

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

phd while working switzerland

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.

phd while working switzerland

MVUB - Lunchtalks

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

Kreiden

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.

phd while working switzerland

COMET – Coaching, Mentoring und Training

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

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52 PhD jobs in Switzerland

Find PhD jobs in Switzerland here. To have jobs sent to you the day they're posted, sign up for job alerts.

  • PhD positions in Zurich (29)
  • PhD positions in Basel (15)
  • PhD positions in Dübendorf (4)
  • PhD positions in Lausanne (1)
  • PhD positions in Bern (1)
  • PhD positions in Lugano (1)
  • PhD positions in St. Gallen (1)
  • PhD positions in Courroux (1)

Other countries

  • PhD positions in Belgium (145)
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  • PhD positions in Israel (5)

Search results (52)

...

Ph.D. candidate for modelling & optimising highly efficient drive systems for E-vehicles based on GaN devices

Ph.D. candidate for modelling & optimising highly efficient drive systems for E-vehicles based on GaN devicesThe Laboratory for High Power Electronic Systems (HPE) at the Department of Information ...

Ph.D. candidate for designing, modelling & optimising charging systems for E-vehicles based on GaN devices

Ph.D. candidate for designing, modelling & optimising charging systems for E-vehicles based on GaN devicesThe Laboratory for High Power Electronic Systems (HPE) at the Department of Information Tec...

...

PhD student position: quantum sensing of biomolecules and their chemical stimuli.

For the prestigious PhD school of the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, we solicit applications for a paid 4-year PhD student position in the Biomolecular Nano-Dynamics group at the Dept. of Chemistry a...

PhD position on "On-Chip Separation of Proteins for Single-Cell Proteome Profiling"

PhD position on "On-Chip Separation of Proteins for Single-Cell Proteome Profiling"The laboratory of Single-Molecule and Single-Cell Biophysics (BMC)is a research group in the Department of Informa...

PhD Position in Magnetoelectric Nanoparticles for Enhanced Catalysis

PhD Position in Magnetoelectric Nanoparticles for Enhanced CatalysisHave you ever dreamed of controlling chemical reactions using magnetic fields? With magnetoelectric composite nanoparticles actin...

2 PhD Positions in Designing and Optimizing Materials for Bacterial-Based Sustainable Biopesticide Delivery Systems

2 PhD Positions in Designing and Optimizing Materials for Bacterial-Based Sustainable Biopesticide Delivery SystemsThe bioMatter Microfluidics (Dr. Eleonora Secchi, D-BAUG) and SoftMat Group (Prof....

PhD position on Practical AI Planning with Ontologies 100%

The Artificial Intelligence (https://ai.dmi.unibas.ch/) research group at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Basel, is seeking a PhD candidate for a collaborative pro...

Doctoral Student in Computational Chemistry

Doctoral Student in Computational ChemistryProf. Dr. Sereina Riniker's group for Computational Chemistry at the Institute of Molecular Physical Science is interested in the development of methodolo...

PhD Position in Biofabrication and 3D BioPrinting

PhD Position in Biofabrication and 3D BioPrintingInjuries to the musculoskeletal system are widespread and can impact quality of life. The field of tissue engineering and bioprinting is constantly ...

Biozentrum PhD Fellowships – Winter Call 2024/25

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: Spin waves get a twist! (P2402) 100 %

We are looking for a PhD student for a joint research project of the Quantum Sensing Lab at the University of Basel led by Prof. P. Maletinsky (https://quantum-sensing.physik.unibas.ch) and Mesosco...

...

PhD position in X-ray based 3D virtual histopathology for studying metastases evolution in colorectal cancer

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 and Post-doc positions in the field of Optimization and Deep Learning Theory (Prof. A. Lucchi)

The Optimization of Machine Learning Systems Group (Prof. A. Lucchi) at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Basel is looking for several PhD students and post-do...

Doctoral (PhD) student in Karma economies

Doctoral (PhD) student in Karma economiesThe NCCR Automation is looking for a doctoral student to study the problem of fair and efficient resource allocation in engineering systems. The student wil...

PhD position (100%, Start from October 2024)

The Department of Biomedicine is a joint effort between the University of Basel and the University Hospitals Basel. It unites basic and clinical scientists to advance our understanding of health an...

PhD position on novel mRNA nanotherapeutics against antibiotic-resistant pulmonary infections (P2405)

The Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) at the University of Basel invites highly motivated scientists to apply for the SNI PhD program in Nanoscience.Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global healt...

PhD position: Global History/Violence Studies with a regional focus on the Southwestern Pacific

The Department of History at the University of Basel, Switzerland, invites applications for a PhD position in a global history project led by Prof. Dr. Marie Muschalek (principal investigator, PI),...

PhD student position in Optical Spectroscopy of Tunable van der Waals Quantum Materials

The newly-established “Quantum Opto-Electronics" research group of Prof. Tomasz Smoleński at the Department of Physics, University of Basel, Switzerland (https://smolenski-lab.com), is looking for ...

...

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 student in Structural Biology by NMR 100%

How does life emerge from molecules and cells? This is the central question that motivates us. With curiosity and passion, we investigate the entire spectrum ranging from the atom to the organism. ...

Doctoral student in Genomics

Doctoral student in GenomicsThe Animal Genomics group within the Institute of Agricultural Sciences at ETH Zurich investigates animal (epi-)genomes and transcriptomes. We apply long read sequencing...

...

Ph.D. Student in Machine Learning for Biosignal Processing

The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) has opened a full time (100%) position for a Ph.D. Student in student in Machine Learning for Biosignal Processing at the Department of Innovative Technologies (DTI) locat...

PhD position: Global History/Violence Studies with a regional focus on South America

Open phd position in nature conservation.

Applications are invited for a PhD position at the Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Switzerland, and in the French nature reserve Petite Camargue Alsacienne, 6 km north of...

...

PhD FELLOWSHIPS & POSITIONS in Life Sciences starting April 2025

Want to start a PhD?The University of Lausanne, Switzerland, offers:PHD FELLOWSHIPS & POSITIONSin Life SciencesStarting April 2025Talented and motivated candidates who have or will have obtained their Master degree (or equivalent) in a relevant fi...

PhD position in Reality Capture for Real Estate Valuation

PhD position in Reality Capture for Real Estate ValuationDo you want to be part of the circular revolution to rethink the way we value the built environment? Join us as a fully-funded doctoral cand...

Doctoral Student: Sensing and Controlling the Large-Scale Anaerobic Digestion of Human Excreta to Minimize Health Risks and Carbon Emissions

Doctoral Student: Sensing and Controlling the Large-Scale Anaerobic Digestion of Human Excreta to Minimize Health Risks and Carbon EmissionsJoin the Global Health Engineering group at ETH Zürich Th...

PhD Position in Chemical Biology 2025

PhD Position in Chemical Biology 2025The research group for Chemical Biology and Molecular Imaging (Frei Research Group) at ETH Zurich is looking for a doctoral researcher to develop chemistry insp...

PhD student position – Infection Biology

Doctoral candidate in cartography / geovisualization / storytelling.

Doctoral candidate in cartography / geovisualization / storytellingThe Institute of Cartography and Geoinformation (IKG) at ETH Zurich is one of the oldest university institutes for cartography in ...

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phd while working switzerland

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PhD programme

Doing a phd at the zhaw school of engineering.

The ZHAW School of Engineering offers students with a Master’s degree the opportunity to do a doctorate in cooperation with its partner universities. While studying for your PhD, you work on applied research projects at the university of applied sciences and are supervised jointly by professors from the ZHAW and its partner university.

You thus benefit from the strengths of both types of university and, with your dissertation project, also contribute towards raising the profile of research at the School of Engineering. The School of Engineering, for its part, creates favourable conditions and prerequisites for supporting high-quality research.

As a doctoral student, you are enrolled in a regular PhD programme at a partner university and are required to go through its admission process. After completing the programme, you will receive a doctorate from the partner university in question. Most PhD networks are also open to students with a Master’s degree from a university of applied sciences. They are, however, required to complete the processes (specific to each faculty) that are necessary for admission to the partner university. In addition to formalised PhD programmes, it is also possible for individual agreements to be concluded between partner universities, doctoral students and ZHAW.

https://www.zhaw.ch/en/jobs/vacant-positions/

Formal PhD programmes with partner universities

ZHAW is part of the PhD Network Data Science . We thus participate in the University of Zurich’s PhD Programme in Data Science . A broad selection of topics is available for doctoral studies in data science and these explicitly include data-intensive areas of Industry 4.0, such as predictive maintenance, data analytics and risk management, and cloud computing.

ZHAW graduates with a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) are also eligible for the joint doctoral programme run by ZHAW and the Università Ca' Foscari in Venice. They can complete their doctoral studies in data science over a period of four years. They spend one year in the Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics at the University of Venice and three years at the ZHAW School of Engineering. MSE graduates from ZHAW can participate directly in the programme without having to catch up on additional ECTS from the Master’s degree programme.

Important to know

  • The doctorate is always awarded by the partner university. It is therefore the regulations of the partner university that are decisive.
  • In most cases, doctoral students at ZHAW School of Engineering are employed as scientific assistants; the dissertation is normally embedded in a fairly large research project (Innosuisse, SNSF, Horizon Europe).
  • ZHAW School of Engineering supports dissertation projects that are related to one of its main research areas.
  • The dissertation topic is agreed on directly by the doctoral student and their supervising professors from the university of applied sciences and the partner university.
  • Doctoral students are expected to display a high degree of independence and discipline and to actively exchange ideas with the contact persons in the institutes and centres.

How will the ZHAW School of Engineering support me with my dissertation project?

  • Financial support through PhD programmes and internal calls
  • Time support, including for caregivers
  • Networking within the PhD community
  • Access to foreign universities and networks (e.g. Horizon Europe Doctoral Network, PhD networks)

ZHAW employees and students will find further information in the Intranet .

Interested? Then venture to take the next step

A dissertation project requires careful planning and preparation in both the professional and private environment.  We will be happy to offer you a consultation.

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phd in switzerland

You are a Master student in Switzerland or abroad and you are looking for a job in research to accompany your PhD. Below is some basic information about the PhD degree in Switzerland.

Doctor of Philosophy – abbreviated to PhD / Ph.D. or DPhil / D.Phil. in English-speaking countries and Dr. Phil. or similar in other countries (for the Latin philosophiae doctor , meaning "teacher in philosophy") – is an advanced academic degree awarded by universities. In Switzerland, a second PhD is the highest degree one can earn after the habilitation. The PhD or equivalent has become a requirement for a career as a university professor or researcher in most fields. The academic level of a PhD degree varies considerably between countries and fields of study.

Recognized PhD titles (EN: Doctor, FR: docteur, DE: Doktor) are only awarded by the 12 official Swiss universities . Universities of applied sciences and companies do not have the right to award PhD titles. However, you are usually free to carry out the research work where you choose: at one of the universities, in a private company, at home. The arrangement is that the results of your research work must be accepted by a professor at one of the 12 universities.

The requirement for starting a PhD is a recognized Masters degree (diploma, licence). Unlike in the USA, a Bachelors degree is not sufficient. Sometimes, a certain final mark is needed to be admitted to a PhD program. Each university has its own admissions requirements. Ask at the university about the exact conditions.

In Switzerland, a PhD is usually started immediately after the Masters thesis (at the age of about 25 to 28 years). The average age of PhD candidates at the end of the PhD is 31. Unlike in the USA, Swiss PhD candidates are expected to start their research project immediately after beginning their PhD, and do not attend classes. However, they might have a few advanced lectures, summer schools or PhD programs.

The duration of the PhD is not standard: usually, it is between 2 and 7 years, depending on the research field, the university and the employment (parttime/fulltime). A PhD in natural and exact sciences usually takes about 4 years. In economics, for example at the University of St. Gallen, the duration is only 2 years. In arts and humanities, a PhD is generally completed in 5-7 years.

PhD candidates are normally hired as Research Assistants/PhD Candidates at a university. The salary greatly varies depending on the university and the research field: from CHF 2000 to more than CHF 6000 per month. The salary must be indicated in the employment contract.

A research position in a company or at a university of applied sciences is also possible though less common. (In this case, the PhD will be conducted in collaboration with a university.) PhD candidates can also bring their own money, e.g. if they have fellowship or if they have a part time job outside the university.

For more information about salaries, see the salary section .

The working conditions vary from institution to institution. Some disciplines are organized in PhD programs or doctorate schools. It is quite common for PhD candidates to be employed only part-time (e.g., 50 or 60%). Sometimes, you can use the whole time of employment for your research, sometimes you have to give lectures or to supervise students in addition to your research. This must be specified in the job description (Pflichtenheft, cahier de charge) you are given together with the employment contract. If you are employed less than 100%, you are free to do what you want in the remaining time, e.g., you could take on a second job. This is quite common in arts and humanities, where PhD candidates often have several jobs. In natural sciences, PhD candidates are often expected to work 100% even if they are only employed part-time. However, legally, they are not obliged to work full-time.

How to proceed?

PhD positions are usually published on job portals (like jobs.myScience ) or university websites and you can apply directly. It is also usual to contact a professor or research group whose work interests you and ask for opportunities.

Students from abroad can apply for the Federal Excellence Scholarship. This government scholarship promotes international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 countries.

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Best PhD Programs in Switzerland [2022]

Studying in Switzerland

If you want to get your Ph.D. in Switzerland, bear in mind that it is known for its top-ranking universities around the world. Switzerland is home to many state universities and institutes of technology that score high on quality and are often referred to as world leaders. Furthermore, the cantonal universities and institutes of technology are the only ones that award recognized Ph.D. titles, despite not being the only accredited universities in Switzerland.

Apart from the world-acclaimed fame, Swiss universities offer various scholarships for international students , and the language of instruction for doctorate programs is mainly English. Additionally, there will be opportunities for academic jobs in Switzerland, and they tend to have high salaries.

We’ve already discussed what there is to know about getting a Ph.D. in Switzerland , so let’s dive into the programs. From mathematics to neuroscience, here are some of the best doctorate programs in Switzerland.

Disclaim: The following list of higher education does not represent a ranking.

Food Science, Ph.D., ETH Zurich

nutrition-food-science-hero (1)

The food science Ph.D. program at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich focuses on using food research for improving food nutrition needs for the consumer. Their goal is to provide proper nutrition to humanity on a global level. The program also concentrates on the production and development of food, including the macroscopic and molecular structure of the food and the relationship between them. The program also studies how the food structure transforms under controlled biochemical or physical factors.

Master’s degree or equivalent university degree.
4 years
English
Full-time

*Degrees that do not qualify a student to apply for this program are degrees from universities of applied sciences, bachelor’s degree, and any MBA degree.

Social Psychology, Ph.D., University of Lausanne

phd while working switzerland

The social psychology doctorate program at the University of Lausanne primarily focuses on stimulating thesis work. The syllabus contains interlaboratory meetings, dissertation work,  internal seminars, and modular courses. This way, students listen to thematic modules presented to them mainly by visiting professors, presenting their research with established researchers, and discussing their research with local teachers.

IELTS/TOEFL
CV; bachelor’s and master’s transcript of grades; statement of purpose; research proposal. 
3 years
English, French
Full-time

International Law, Ph.D., University of Geneva

phd while working switzerland

While this international law program at the University of Geneva— which is one of Switzerland’s best law schools —offers an intellectually stimulating environment. It also requires students to have the ability to go on with independent research and have a strong commitment to the field. In addition, doctorate students will receive intellectual support in the form of supervision during their research. Some of the courses offered are Climate Change and International Law, International Trade Law, Law Without the State, Political Justice and Human Rights, etc.

CV; a copy of diplomas; two academic reference letters; certified copy of the bachelor and master exam transcript (if available); a motivation letter that mentions specialization in econometrics.
4 years
French, English
Full-time

Mathematics, Ph.D., ETH Zurich

phd while working switzerland

In the mathematics program at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, doctorate students get employed for up to six years, and they work as scientific assistants at the university. The Swiss National Science Foundation funds the research. Students who chose to follow studies in this program can benefit from internationally honored professors and gain access to the mathematics library, ETH library, and online access to most recent publications. Of the 12 credit units, graduates are required to have, four must come from outside their research area.

Biozentrum Fellowship Program, Ph.D., University of Basel

phd while working switzerland

Students selected for the biozentrum fellowship program at the University of Basel start in a rotation program that lasts one to three weeks. This allows them to participate in the research group of their choice. The Biozentrum, a leading life science institute globally, embraces a wide range of topics in their program. However, they are mainly focused on the organization of molecules that form living organisms and life. The program offers full and independent funding to their students for their Ph.D. and additional travel funds.

A master’s degree; exceptional students can be admitted with a bachelor’s degree but will need to pass additional courses; two recommendation letters.
4 years
English
Full-time

Architecture and Sciences of the City, Ph.D., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne

This program at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne is focused on theory and practice equally, allowing doctoral students to view the project as both a research challenge and an object of study. They offer a multidimensional program to all students, including in its curriculum, urban sciences, and architecture. Although it is primarily aimed at students of social sciences, it is also suitable for architects and engineers. The elementary cause of the program is an understanding of the contemporary urban world and social life.

The official transcript of all grades and diplomas from higher education (certified English copy must be provided if the documents aren’t originally in French, German, English, or Italian); statement of objectives; a copy of an official identity document; an application form.
4 years
French, English
Full-time

Business Administration, Ph.D., University of Zurich

Source: the University of Zurich on FacebookThe goal of the business administration program at the University of Zurich is to help students gain a systematic understanding of the field and master skills and methods to help them in their research. Doctoral students should be able to apply their research to practical programs, in addition to the ability to present and discuss their research to an international scientific community. The program also focuses on equipping doctoral students with analytical and problem-solving skills on relevant issues. If you’ve already obtained your MBA credentials in Switzerland , this program is an excellent way to extend your education.

State-accredited master’s degree; the master’s degree diploma must be state-accredited; transferable credits have to be acquired at a state-accredited university.
3 years
English
Full-time

Finance, Ph.D., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne

phd while working switzerland

The first phase of this doctorate program at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne starts with a module of Ph.D. courses. This coursework aims to equip doctorate students with a broad education on fundamental concepts of finance. The program accepts 10 to 15 students per year. After students have completed the first module, they are then asked to select a thesis topic and a thesis advisor from one of the participating universities.

An application file; the application will be evaluated based on the potential thesis and research interests.
4 years
English
Full-time

Computational Science and Engineering, Ph.D., ETH Zurich

phd while working switzerland

This is a program that comes from the joint forces of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and the University of Zurich and is focused on attracting talents in computer science to join. In addition, they put in the effort to improve the collaboration between the industry, the society, and the university. They offer interdisciplinary education for doctorate students through block courses and seminars, laboratory exchanges, retreats, journal clubs, and academia-industry modeling (AIM) weeks.

A master’s degree or an equivalent university degree.
4 years
English
Full-time

Neuroscience, Ph. D., University of Lausanne

neuroscience

CV; master and bachelor transcript of grades; statement of purpose; research proposal.
3 years
French, English
Full-time

Economics, Ph.D., University of Zurich

phd while working switzerland

The Economics Ph.D. program at the University of Zurich is concentrated on preparing students to conceive and implement a research procedure with scientific integrity. Doctoral students should be able to conduct original research, which will contribute to existing knowledge. The curriculum consists of core courses in microeconomic, macroeconomics, mathematics, and econometrics. Meanwhile, these core courses provide the foundation; a compulsory curriculum would require an independent research proposal.

Physics, Ph.D., University of Bern

phd while working switzerland

The physics program at the University of Bern contributes to teaching by combining four physics-related institutes. The physics institutes are in charge of guiding doctoral students through introductory physics classes in the first year. These classes are not merely for physics majors. They also include physics lectures for medical science students, biologists, veterinary students, etc. The research is delegated to these divisions of the physics institute Climate and Environmental Physics division (KUP), The Space Research and Planetology division (WP), and Laboratory for High Energy Physics (LHEP).

Application and admission; general information for admission at a doctoral level.
3 years
English
Full-time

Good luck with your studies!

I am Evans Muriungi Muchege from Kenya. I am interested in PhD in Humanitarianism and Peace studies. Do you have such a course in your universities?

Respected sir , I’m pursuing my masters in yoga studies in india ,and want to pursue P.hD in yoga in Switzerland. Could you please suggest me the university which I can apply for the p.hd course.

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University of Central Florida

phd while working switzerland

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).

phd while working switzerland

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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PhD in Health Sciences

For doctoral studies, the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine offers a flexible and intensively supervised doctoral program.

Registration

Before you can register for the PhD Program, you need the approval of a supervisor from among the professors of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine . Please contact a potential supervisor first.

For students to the University of Lucerne, it is necessary to use the online registration . If you are starting a PhD in Health Sciences at the University of Lucerne directly after completing your Master's degree at the University of Lucerne, please register by e-mail to the student services team .  If you are not starting your PhD in the following semester, you must register online.

The following deadlines apply to doctoral registrations: August 31 for the coming fall semester January 31 for the coming spring semester

The admission to the PhD Program is regulated by the study and examination committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine. The admission requirements can be found in the PhD Regulations . The admission decision will be communicated by email.

Language skills: You should have a very good knowledge of English; knowledge of German is not required.

Supervision

The first supervisor is responsible for the academic supervision. This person must be chosen from among the professors of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine . Without a written supervision agreement , which is co-authored and signed by a first supervisor, the admission to the PhD Program is not possible. The second supervisor  must be a person with a doctorate degree or higher from another faculty or different university.

Study requirements

The doctoral performance to be achieved consists of the academic performance (at least 18 ECTS credits), the thesis, the defense and the publication of the thesis.

Course selection All courses (see Course program ) offer ECTS credits and contribute to the 18 ECTS credit requirement. External courses can also be attended after consultation with the supervisor.

Course program

Courses University Lucerne

External Course program Swiss Learning Health System (SLHS) Course program SGGÖ Course program Campus Luzern Course program SSPH+ Course program Graduate Academy Meet to Write (Uni Basel) ​​​​​​​

Evaluation report

The supervisor meets with the PhD student at least once a year to evaluate the progress of the dissertation. In particular, the development of the research work and the earned course credits are evaluated based on the goals set for current year. Goals for the following year are also established.

Leave of absence

A leave of absence from the doctoral study is generally possible. Applications must be submitted in written form to the Study Center ( phd_health remove-this. @ remove-this. unilu.ch ) by September 15 (for the fall semester) and February 15 (for the spring semester).

Please note the following: - A leave of absence is granted for a maximum of two semesters. - During this time there are no matriculation fees. - No academic achievements can be earned. - It is not possible to participate in courses. - No applications for financial support from the faculty can be made. - No applications for the opening of the doctoral procedure can be made.

ECTS credits For all courses with earned ECTS credits, written documentation is required to ensure that the requirements according to § 4, number 1 of the Guide to PhD Regulations are fulfilled. The minimum number of credits to be earned during the doctoral studies is 18 ECTS credits (according to § 7, number 1 of the Guide to PhD Regulations). Usually these credits consist of participation in elective modules (in the amount of at least 6 ECTS) and in elective modules, which are announced at the beginning of each semester.

Application for the opening of the doctoral procedure The doctoral procedure is opened at the candidate's request. The application must be submitted in writing to the head of the faculty and submitted to the Study Center by email to phd_health remove-this. @ remove-this. unilu.ch .

The following documents (as pdf-files) must be enclosed with the application:

  • a declaration by the candidate that he or she has independently written the submitted dissertation, that he or she has only used the specified aids when writing the dissertation and that he or she has marked passages that have been adopted either literally or in content as such a statement as to whether the dissertation has already been submitted to a university in the current or another version
  • proof of academic achievements of at least 18 ECTS credits
  • proof of matriculation for the duration of the doctoral studies (can be requested from Study Services )

Title After the successfully contested defense, a temporary certificate is issued. After publication of the dissertation, the PhD Student is awarded as Doctor of Science (Dr. sc.). A certificate and diploma will be issued for the doctoral work.

  • PhD regulations (in German)
  • Guide to the PhD regulations (in German)
  • Supervision Agreement

FAQ for the PhD Program

Questions about the doctoral program.

I am interested in the PhD Program in Health Sciences. From the admission guidelines it can be seen that with a Master of Science degree from a university of applied sciences (90 ECTS) additional ECTS must be shown. How and at what time can these be acquired?

The doctoral regulations distinguish between admission with conditions (achievements to be made before entry) and admission with conditions (achievements to be made during the doctorate) - see also § 5, para. 5:

For a Master's degree with 90 ECTS, an additional 30 ECTS must be completed. If ECTS have already been acquired at a Swiss or foreign university, the study center will check this and, if necessary, also count these ECTS.

What costs can I expect during the doctoral program?

The Study Services of the University of Lucerne have prepared an overview: Application and Admission - University of Lucerne (unilu.ch)

And the Student Advisory Service of the University of Lucerne provides more info on general financial questions at the following link: Financial and Budgeting Advice - University of Lucerne (unilu.ch)

Dr. med. Christian Schirlo, MME Director Study Center

Colette Lenherr Administrative Coordinator PhD in Health Sciences

phd_health remove-this. @ remove-this. unilu.ch

Liaison PhD Students:

The PhD Liaisons represent doctoral researchers, ensuring their concerns and needs are communicated to the faculty administration. We gather and respond to student feedback and provide networking and capacity-building opportunities for doctoral candidates. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email any of us.

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Metanavigation, mobile navigation, unternavigation, aktuelle navigation, hauptinhalt, doctoral studies ¶.

phd while working switzerland

Doctorates make a significant and fundamental contribution to research by the WSL. They are based on research projects that are carried out independently, with the supervision of a professor.

The core facet of a doctorate is the acquisition of in-depth scientific expertise by making a major contribution to research. The development of specialist, methodological and interdisciplinary knowledge and skills as well as scientific socialisation and networking form central objectives of a doctorate.

Further information is described in detail in the guide to doctoral studies .

Human Resources

Vacant doctoral posts ¶

Current vacancies

  • WSL site about academic teaching activities

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61 PhD jobs in Switzerland

Find PhD jobs in Switzerland here. To have jobs sent to you the day they're posted, sign up for job alerts.

  • PhD positions in Zurich (33)
  • PhD positions in Basel (18)
  • PhD positions in Dübendorf (4)
  • PhD positions in Lugano (2)
  • PhD positions in Lausanne (1)
  • PhD positions in Bern (1)
  • PhD positions in Neuchâtel (1)
  • PhD positions in St. Gallen (1)
  • PhD positions in Courroux (1)

Other countries

  • PhD positions in Belgium (145)
  • PhD positions in The Netherlands (116)
  • PhD positions in Germany (71)
  • PhD positions in Finland (40)
  • PhD positions in Austria (29)
  • PhD positions in Luxembourg (27)
  • PhD positions in Sweden (21)
  • PhD positions in Norway (18)
  • PhD positions in France (16)
  • PhD positions in Israel (5)

Search results (61)

...

Ph.D. candidate for modelling & optimising highly efficient drive systems for E-vehicles based on GaN devices

Ph.D. candidate for modelling & optimising highly efficient drive systems for E-vehicles based on GaN devicesThe Laboratory for High Power Electronic Systems (HPE) at the Department of Information ...

Ph.D. candidate for designing, modelling & optimising charging systems for E-vehicles based on GaN devices

Ph.D. candidate for designing, modelling & optimising charging systems for E-vehicles based on GaN devicesThe Laboratory for High Power Electronic Systems (HPE) at the Department of Information Tec...

...

PhD student position: quantum sensing of biomolecules and their chemical stimuli.

For the prestigious PhD school of the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, we solicit applications for a paid 4-year PhD student position in the Biomolecular Nano-Dynamics group at the Dept. of Chemistry a...

PhD position on "On-Chip Separation of Proteins for Single-Cell Proteome Profiling"

PhD position on "On-Chip Separation of Proteins for Single-Cell Proteome Profiling"The laboratory of Single-Molecule and Single-Cell Biophysics (BMC)is a research group in the Department of Informa...

PhD Position in Magnetoelectric Nanoparticles for Enhanced Catalysis

PhD Position in Magnetoelectric Nanoparticles for Enhanced CatalysisHave you ever dreamed of controlling chemical reactions using magnetic fields? With magnetoelectric composite nanoparticles actin...

2 PhD Positions in Designing and Optimizing Materials for Bacterial-Based Sustainable Biopesticide Delivery Systems

2 PhD Positions in Designing and Optimizing Materials for Bacterial-Based Sustainable Biopesticide Delivery SystemsThe bioMatter Microfluidics (Dr. Eleonora Secchi, D-BAUG) and SoftMat Group (Prof....

Promotionsstelle am Seminar für Medienwissenschaft der Universität Basel

Forschungsgruppe »Bureaugraphies. Administration After the Age of Bureaucracy«Im Rahmen der vom Schweizerischen Nationalfonds (SNF) in Kooperation mit der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) und...

PhD position on Practical AI Planning with Ontologies 100%

The Artificial Intelligence (https://ai.dmi.unibas.ch/) research group at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Basel, is seeking a PhD candidate for a collaborative pro...

Doctoral Student in Computational Chemistry

Doctoral Student in Computational ChemistryProf. Dr. Sereina Riniker's group for Computational Chemistry at the Institute of Molecular Physical Science is interested in the development of methodolo...

PhD Position in Biofabrication and 3D BioPrinting

PhD Position in Biofabrication and 3D BioPrintingInjuries to the musculoskeletal system are widespread and can impact quality of life. The field of tissue engineering and bioprinting is constantly ...

Biozentrum PhD Fellowships – Winter Call 2024/25

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: Spin waves get a twist! (P2402) 100 %

We are looking for a PhD student for a joint research project of the Quantum Sensing Lab at the University of Basel led by Prof. P. Maletinsky (https://quantum-sensing.physik.unibas.ch) and Mesosco...

...

PhD position in X-ray based 3D virtual histopathology for studying metastases evolution in colorectal cancer

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 and Post-doc positions in the field of Optimization and Deep Learning Theory (Prof. A. Lucchi)

The Optimization of Machine Learning Systems Group (Prof. A. Lucchi) at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Basel is looking for several PhD students and post-do...

Doctoral (PhD) student in Karma economies

Doctoral (PhD) student in Karma economiesThe NCCR Automation is looking for a doctoral student to study the problem of fair and efficient resource allocation in engineering systems. The student wil...

Doktorand*in am Center for Philanthropy Studies

Das Center for Philanthropy Studies (CEPS) ist ein interdisziplinäres Universitätsinstitut für Philanthropie und Stiftungswesen der Universität Basel. Das CEPS wurde 2008 gegründet und verbindet in...

PhD position (100%, Start from October 2024)

The Department of Biomedicine is a joint effort between the University of Basel and the University Hospitals Basel. It unites basic and clinical scientists to advance our understanding of health an...

PhD position on novel mRNA nanotherapeutics against antibiotic-resistant pulmonary infections (P2405)

The Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) at the University of Basel invites highly motivated scientists to apply for the SNI PhD program in Nanoscience.Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global healt...

PhD position: Global History/Violence Studies with a regional focus on the Southwestern Pacific

The Department of History at the University of Basel, Switzerland, invites applications for a PhD position in a global history project led by Prof. Dr. Marie Muschalek (principal investigator, PI),...

PhD student position in Optical Spectroscopy of Tunable van der Waals Quantum Materials

The newly-established “Quantum Opto-Electronics" research group of Prof. Tomasz Smoleński at the Department of Physics, University of Basel, Switzerland (https://smolenski-lab.com), is looking for ...

...

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 student in Structural Biology by NMR 100%

How does life emerge from molecules and cells? This is the central question that motivates us. With curiosity and passion, we investigate the entire spectrum ranging from the atom to the organism. ...

Doctoral student in Genomics

Doctoral student in GenomicsThe Animal Genomics group within the Institute of Agricultural Sciences at ETH Zurich investigates animal (epi-)genomes and transcriptomes. We apply long read sequencing...

...

Ph.D. Student in Machine Learning for Biosignal Processing

The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) has opened a full time (100%) position for a Ph.D. Student in student in Machine Learning for Biosignal Processing at the Department of Innovative Technologies (DTI) locat...

PhD position: Global History/Violence Studies with a regional focus on South America

Doktorand/in (md-student/in) im bereich sport- und bewegungsmedizin (100%).

In der Abteilung Rehabilitative und Regenerative Sportmedizin des Bereichs Sport- und Bewegungsmedizin im Departement für Sport, Bewegung und Gesundheit (DSBG) der medizinischen Fakultät der Univer...

Open PhD position in nature conservation

Applications are invited for a PhD position at the Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Switzerland, and in the French nature reserve Petite Camargue Alsacienne, 6 km north of...

...

Assistenzstelle (Doc-Stelle, 100%) in Deutscher Sprachwissenschaft

Stellenantritt:1. Februar 2025Ihre Aufgaben:Zu den Aufgaben der Assistenz gehört die eigene wissenschaftliche Qualifikation durch eine Dissertation, die akademische Lehre im Umfang von 2 Semesterwochenstunden sowie die Mitwirkung in der akademisch...

...

PhD FELLOWSHIPS & POSITIONS in Life Sciences starting April 2025

Want to start a PhD?The University of Lausanne, Switzerland, offers:PHD FELLOWSHIPS & POSITIONSin Life SciencesStarting April 2025Talented and motivated candidates who have or will have obtained their Master degree (or equivalent) in a relevant fi...

PhD position in Reality Capture for Real Estate Valuation

PhD position in Reality Capture for Real Estate ValuationDo you want to be part of the circular revolution to rethink the way we value the built environment? Join us as a fully-funded doctoral cand...

Jobs by field

  • Programming Languages 218
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  • Artificial Intelligence 190
  • Machine Learning 180
  • Materials Engineering 158
  • Molecular Biology 151
  • Computational Sciences 149
  • Materials Chemistry 148
  • Electronics 140
  • Cell Biology 137

Jobs by type

  • Postdoc 348
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  • Engineer 85
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Jobs by country

  • Germany 385
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  • The Netherlands 184
  • Morocco 131
  • Switzerland 128
  • Luxembourg 86

Jobs by employer

  • IU International University o... 232
  • Mohammed VI Polytechnic Unive... 135
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  • University of Luxembourg 85
  • Eindhoven University of Techn... 68
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  • Ghent University 49
  • University of Cologne 45
  • Free University of Bozen - Bo... 45
  • Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) 43

phd while working switzerland

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Can non-EU PhD stay and work in Switzerland after graduation

I plan to study PhD in Switzerland, and want to work there after completing my PhD. But I am a non-EU citizen. I heard that it is very difficult for Non-EU to find a job in Switzerland.

Could you consult me if my PhD degree will help me to stay and work in Switzerland ?

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IMAGES

  1. PhD In Switzerland

    phd while working switzerland

  2. Phd Study In Switzerland

    phd while working switzerland

  3. Best PhD Programs in Switzerland

    phd while working switzerland

  4. PHD HOW IT WORKS IN SWITZERLAND #BASEL#UNIVERSITY

    phd while working switzerland

  5. PhD and Post doctoral positions in Switzerland || University of Basel || Hurry

    phd while working switzerland

  6. Top Universities For Phd Study In Switzerland

    phd while working switzerland

COMMENTS

  1. Living in Switzerland

    In Switzerland, international PhD students are able to work up to 15 hours per week during semesters and can work unlimited hours during holiday time. You will need to report your work to the relevant immigration authorities. Additionally, non-EU / EEA students will require a work permit, applied for on your behalf by your employer.

  2. PhD In Switzerland: Everything You Need To Know

    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. ... Entry-level positions start at CHF 43,200 per year, while most experienced ...

  3. Doctoral students

    You already have an offer of a position as a doctoral student. The entire period of studies in Switzerland may not exceed 8 years. This period includes the time spent on a degree (Bachelor's and Master's), doctorate and post-doctorate. Please note: the immigration authorities require 4 - 6 weeks to process a request.

  4. PhD study in Switzerland

    All study in Switzerland, since 2006, has been in accordance with the Bologna system which means that a PhD is a third-cycle qualification, usually coming after a Bachelors (first cycle) and Masters (second cycle) degrees.. A Swiss PhD is the highest level of postgraduate degree you can achieve in the country and is a mark of a significant achievement.

  5. PhD in Switzerland: the complete guide for international students

    PhD fees. The cost to study a PhD in Switzerland is paid either for the entirety of the program or per term as it applies at some universities. Typically, Swiss universities are free to set up their own fees. Some may cost as low as €182 while some will cost more than €6,000 for the entirety of the course.

  6. Study in Switzerland: the ultimate guide for a PhD in 2024

    Tuition fees in Switzerland. In Switzerland, both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students pay the same tuition fees at most public universities (with a few exceptions listed further below). For Bachelor's and Master's degrees, students pay between 400-3,700 EUR per year. Private universities are much more expensive.

  7. Doctoral study programmes

    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 ...

  8. PhD in Switzerland

    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 ...

  9. Top Universities for PhD Study in Switzerland

    University of St Gallen. 351-400. =436. -. University of Fribourg. 401-500. =563. 501-600. Information in this table is based on the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings and Academic Ranking of World Universities.

  10. PhD in Switzerland: Guide on Universities in Switzerland for PhD, Fees

    Cost Of Studying PhD in Switzerland. To study PhD in Switzerland, there are two cost factors you need to consider. These factors are important as they will contribute to your fund planning when you arrive in the country. Let's learn about them one by one: Tuition Fees; The tuition fees of doing a PhD in Switzerland ranges from 80 CHF- 500 CHF ...

  11. Studies: Doctoral Degree

    As a university with eight faculties offering a full range of courses and an institution with a real emphasis on research, the University of Bern offers early career researchers attractive structures for a promising doctorate. You can either take the doctorate within a graduate school or as part of a doctoral degree program, or you can even ...

  12. 52 PhD jobs in Switzerland

    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 ...

  13. PhD programme

    Doing a PhD at the ZHAW School of Engineering. The ZHAW School of Engineering offers students with a Master's degree the opportunity to do a doctorate in cooperation with its partner universities. While studying for your PhD, you work on applied research projects at the university of applied sciences and are supervised jointly by professors ...

  14. phd in switzerland

    PhD candidates are normally hired as Research Assistants/PhD Candidates at a university. The salary greatly varies depending on the university and the research field: from CHF 2000 to more than CHF 6000 per month. The salary must be indicated in the employment contract. A research position in a company or at a university of applied sciences is ...

  15. Student Visas for PhD in Switzerland

    All foreign students in Switzerland (from the EU, EEA and elsewhere) must be able to support themselves during a PhD. The amount of money you must have access to will depend on the requirements set by your canton but is likely to be at least €18,000 per year. You can provide proof of funds in various forms:

  16. Best PhD Programs in Switzerland

    International Law, Ph.D., University of Geneva Source: Université de Genève on Facebook. While this international law program at the University of Geneva— which is one of Switzerland's best law schools—offers an intellectually stimulating environment. It also requires students to have the ability to go on with independent research and have a strong commitment to the field.

  17. PhD in Health Sciences

    Before you can register for the PhD Program, you need the approval of a supervisor from among the professors of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine.Please contact a potential supervisor first. For students to the University of Lucerne, it is necessary to use the online registration. If you are starting a PhD in Health Sciences at the University of Lucerne directly after completing your ...

  18. Doctoral studies

    Doctoral studies. Doctorates make a significant and fundamental contribution to research by the WSL. They are based on research projects that are carried out independently, with the supervision of a professor. The core facet of a doctorate is the acquisition of in-depth scientific expertise by making a major contribution to research.

  19. PhD student looking for advice on living in Switzerland : r/PhD

    It's between 50-100 chf. Administration papework can also have a hidden coast (around 20 chf each time). I have no clue if you'll have to pay for the working permit, but it could be, you should check that. You can take a look at ETH student/PhD expenses expectation (check it on Google/their website) to have a better idea of your futur budget.

  20. 59 PhD jobs in Switzerland

    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 ...

  21. Applying for a PhD in Switzerland

    Applying for a PhD in Switzerland is pretty straightforward as long as you know what university and programme you want to study or work at . If you are not sure about which university is most suitable for you, we have a guide which tells you all about the types of universities that award PhD degrees in Switzerland. You can also browse and compare a list of available PhD degrees in Switzerland ...

  22. Can non-EU PhD stay and work in Switzerland after graduation

    I plan to study PhD in Switzerland, and want to work there after completing my PhD. But I am a non-EU citizen. I heard that it is very difficult for Non-EU to find a job in Switzerland. ... I know coworkers that got by just fine while purely speaking english while working in Zürich. I know coworkers that got by with minimal german (being ...

  23. PDF Careers in Switzerland for Foreign Graduates from Swiss ...

    While seeking work, you can stay in Switzerland for six months as long as you have sufficient financial resources: you will need to ask for a residence permit for seeking work ("titre de séjour pour recherche d'emploi") (see Q 2.1). If you are not seeking salaried employment in Switzerland but would like to work as an