Several PhD scholarship positions at ETH Zurich

Scholarship:  Fully-funded
Degree:   B.S, M.S., Ph.D. and/or M.D.
Nationality: International Students
Location: Swiss
Application deadlines: Open


Scholarship Description:

ETH Zurich is one of the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, located in the German-speaking region of Zurich and the other in the French-speaking region of Lausanne. ETH Zürich is one of the world’s most prestigious polytechnics and is known as the “number one university in Europe”. Founded in 1855, it has 530 professors and over 20,600 students from more than 120 countries in 16 departments, including around 4,000 doctoral students. The fields of teaching and research cover architecture, engineering, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences and management sciences. As of October 2018, ETH has 32 Nobel Prize winners (including Albert Einstein), four Fields Prize winners and one Turing Award winner among its past alumni, professors and researchers. The university is also a member of international university collaborations such as the International Consortium of Research Universities, the IDEA Consortium and the GlobalTech Alliance.


ETH Zurich is ranked 6th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2021, with 4th in Engineering and Technology and 6th in Natural Sciences; 14th worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, with 8th in Engineering and Technology; and 20th worldwide in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2020

Available Subjects:

(1) PhD position summary/title: clinical or biological psychology, psychiatry or clinical neuroscience
We are looking for a highly motivated and communicative individual who wants to make a career in clinical or biological psychology, psychiatry or clinical neuroscience. The position requires a strong interest in these areas, motivation to gain experimental and clinical skills, the ability to conduct team-based research in a structured environment and excellent communication qualities to interact with patients. Candidates should have experience in R language data analysis or have the motivation to learn R language data analysis. Previous experience in experimental paradigms, data analysis or programming would be useful. Clinical experience with patients with PTSD and/or substance use is an advantage, as is knowledge of MRI techniques. Applicants should have a master’s degree in psychology, medicine or neuroscience. Fluency in English and German is a must.
Closing date: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-student/5d6d238a-ed24-40e0-8b5c-29d99d0a3c95


(2) PhD position abstract/title: Molecular and functional identification of basal phosphate transporters
We are looking for a highly motivated, team-oriented graduate candidate with a strong interest in molecular and cellular biology, an understanding of complex metabolic and endocrine functions, and a desire to work in a modern laboratory environment and apply state-of-the-art genomics, cell biology and bioinformatics techniques. The successful candidate should have a diploma or master’s degree in molecular biology, biomedical sciences or a related discipline, together with a good knowledge of bioinformatics. Proficiency in English, knowledge of bioinformatics and data analysis, and a good knowledge of cell biology are required.
Closing date: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-student-position-molecular-and-functional-identification-of-basolateral-phosphate- transporter-s/fa27b18c-afca-4ca2-91b3-035c15444ad0


(3) PhD position abstract/title: Control of ageing and mineral metabolism
Phosphate and calcium are essential minerals and important components of the skeleton. Phosphate and calcium must be absorbed from the diet, redistributed between different organs and excreted into the urine or reabsorbed by the kidneys. These processes are controlled by transporters, hormones and metabolic factors and are important for bone health as well as for the protection against uncontrolled mineralisation (e.g. in the cardiovascular system or kidney stones). Ageing is associated with changes in mineral metabolism, as well as bone remodelling, bone loss and an increased risk of kidney and cardiovascular disease and death. However, the link between ageing and all these processes is unclear.
Deadline: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-student-position-aging-and-the-control-of-mineral-metabolism/75f4fc64-7a49-4af6-889a- 51e9c92811a7


(4) PhD position abstract/title: Thermal remote sensing of the cryosphere
This future PhD project aims to investigate the potential of thermal infrared remote sensing in the cryosphere. The cryosphere is changing at an unprecedented rate and holistic and innovative monitoring strategies are needed to make sound predictions of future dynamics, occurrence and associated processes. The project aims to assess the spatial and temporal variability of surface temperatures and associated energy fluxes of cryospheric components (snow, glaciers, permafrost) in complex alpine terrain and to prepare for product retrieval for upcoming thermal missions (Trishna, SBG, LSTM). Specific tasks include the creation of a multi-scale dataset using dense instrumentation and the post-processing and analysis of the acquired data across scales.
Deadline: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-student-position-thermal-remote-sensing-of-the-cryosphere/fc687ac9-b8c4-4941-83ba- 9029d93db2e2


(5) PhD position abstract/title: Studying metallothioneins from different organisms
The research of Prof. Eva Freisinger’s team focuses on the study of metallothioneins from different organisms. MTs are rather small cysteine-rich proteins with the ability to coordinate a number of transition metal ions. The positions are standard full-time PhD positions, officially designated at 60% according to the officially assigned salary scale.
Closing date: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-student-positions-in-bioinorganic-chemistry/a932f4c6-c017-4547-9ab4-37338e42ea22


(6) PhD position summary/title: in neuroscience
The successful candidate will participate in the ZNZ PhD programme, receive additional theoretical/practical training and will be awarded a PhD from the Faculty of Science of the University of Zurich. The extremely competitive salary follows the guidelines of the Swiss National Science Foundation. Zurich is an attractive city with beautiful surroundings, a multinational population and many educational and recreational opportunities.
Closing date: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-student-or-postdoc-in-neuroscience/9261155f-c02f-459a-8b2d-03f065fe998c


(7) PhD position summary/title: Neuroscience research
Neuroscience research is one of the largest single areas of animal research, with around 1.3 million used annually in the EU alone. In Switzerland, more than a quarter of all laboratory animals have been used in neuroscience in recent years, and many are undergoing highly severe experimental procedures. Despite the use of these numerous experimental animals, the overall success rate in the development of therapies for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s dementia and stroke is low compared to other fields. Closing this translational gap is critical to advancing both science and the 3Rs of replacement, reduction and refinement. While the reasons for this gap vary, weak or inappropriate design of preclinical studies has been identified as a key driver. For example, animal disease models are often selected based on the resources available to that investigator, rather than which model best represents the particular pathophysiological process under study. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive resource to help preclinical neuroscientists make informed decisions about experimental parameters in their research programmes. This leaves many experimental animals with only modest translational relevance. The advent of complex cell culture models, such as three-dimensional organs or microphysiological systems, holds out the prospect of partially replacing animal experiments for drug testing. However, there is no systematic collation of the applications of such models and their translational value in comparison to the respective animal models has not yet been proven.
Deadline: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-student/30545505-9c8e-4678-b4ee-6d19a4ede230


(8) PhD position summary/title: Analysis and modelling of language data
The successful candidate has a master’s degree in (computational) cognitive science, computational linguistics, psycholinguistics or a related field, and has experience in Python and/or R programming. He or she is curious about understanding how humans process language and enjoys analysing and modelling linguistic data. Ideally, he or she has a solid background in statistics (preferably Bayesian statistics) and is keen to further develop his/her statistical skills. He or she has some experience in computational cognitive modelling, NLP and possibly machine learning, or has an inherent ability to quickly acquire new skills. The successful candidate has a solid background in linear algebra, calculus and probability theory, or is able to fill in any gaps in a self-organised way when starting a PhD. Excellent English language skills are a must.
Closing date: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-student/20453508-9b68-460d-862f-f9efc9ce420d


(9) Summary/Title of PhD position: Digitisation of medieval commentaries on Horace’s Psalms and Ovid’s Metamorphoses
The successful candidate will contribute to the digitisation of medieval commentaries on Horace’s Psalms and Ovid’s Metamorphoses, and write entries for a planned rhetorical and mythological glossary of these two works. They will write a paper based on this material on the following topics: a) mythological etymology and exegesis in the exegesis of the Metamorphoses, and b) the teaching of rhetoric in the exegesis of the Psalter.
Deadline: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/two-phd-positions/71881c55-deb6-4f13-af84-98fe3ab0beea


(10) PhD position abstract/title: Sound propagation in bone conduction hearing
The Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, offers a PhD position in the research group “Otology and Auditory Biomechanics”. We are looking for a highly motivated and talented research candidate to work on a Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) project on the measurement and modelling of sound propagation in bone conduction hearing. The start date of the position is on or after March 1, 2023. The position is for 3 years and is in close collaboration with EMPA and ETH Zurich.
Closing date: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-position-sound-propagation-in-bone-conduction-hearing/90546b17-8ce2-4017-9568-4708b4bc7b75


(11) Summary/Title of the PhD position: Long-term series on rock glacier kinematics for systematic calculations
In this project, long-term series of rock glacier kinematics (horizontal velocity and vertical variability) will be systematically calculated for a large number of sites located in different topographic-climatic environments. These data are used to accurately and reliably describe and assess velocity patterns over the past decades. The long-term evolution will be compared with the current behaviour of rock glaciers derived from in situ data and will be further used to develop and calibrate models that simulate long-term changes in ice-rich alpine permafrost, both past and future. Attention will also be paid to so-called unstable rock glaciers that show anomalous behaviour.
Deadline: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-position-in-geomorphology/14f95943-2568-427b-a6ba-b2fe865211ad


(12) PhD position abstract/title: Combining the versatility of organic synthesis with the power of self-assembly
Are you a problem solver, an imaginative and creative thinker with an idea for everything? Are you good at making new molecules, shaping your designs into materials and haven’t lost your enthusiasm for learning? Then we have a job for you! We are a new research team at the University of Zurich. We work on innovative chemistry, combining the versatility of organic synthesis with the power of self-assembly. We strive to enable our students to deliver cutting-edge science while developing individuality and team spirit. Our team is international, made up of highly diverse backgrounds, experiences and personalities. What we don’t yet know, we learn. What we can’t learn, we create. Find out more about what we do and who we are on our website.
Closing date: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-student-position-in-organic-and-supramolecular-chemistry/b6d1cef0-afc7-49b0-a8bf- ea4a6899dd95


(13) PhD Position Summary/Title: Remote sensing of vegetation dynamics in urban environments
The successful candidate will develop methods to assess dynamic vegetation processes from different airborne and satellite remote sensing data. Specific tasks include characterisation of abiotic factors in urban environments, quantification of vegetation status and dynamics, and assessment of functional information on vegetation.
Closing date: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-student-position-remote-sensing-of-vegetation-dynamics-in-urban-environments/d56b2892-8b3c- 403a-8f2c-f6533a83781e


(14) PhD position summary/title: Developing quantitative methods for improved decision-making
As a PhD student, you will be employed in the Chair of Quantitative Business Administration, the Chair of Mathematics for Business and Economics or the Chair of Sustainable Operations Management. The focus of the Chair in Quantitative Business Management is to develop quantitative methods for improving decision-making. From a methodological point of view, our main interest is in mathematical optimisation, in particular integer programming, combinatorial optimisation, two-level optimisation and optimisation under uncertainty.
Closing date: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-student-research-assistant/76c55833-b4eb-41d6-bbcc-cff320dedd32


(15) Doctoral position abstract/title: Social contexts of media use and effects
The Department of Media Use and Effectiveness (www.mediennutzung.ch) focuses its research and teaching on the social context of media use and effectiveness from a social science perspective. This includes classical mass media as well as new media and various forms of interpersonal communication. In addition to the general issues of media use and effects research, the department focuses on the topic of health communication. This ranges from communication campaigns (e.g. organ donation) to the effects of health-related social media posts (e.g. including alcohol references) to the effects of media use on physical and mental health (e.g. digital detoxification). As such, in addition to communication science, the department includes theories, methods and empirical findings in social psychology, sociology, social network analysis and public health.
Closing date: until filled
Application link.
https://jobs.uzh.ch/offene-stellen/phd-position-media-use-media-effects-health-communication/3b5cf94a-294a-41d5-93b5-93a557aec7ce