PhD Programs
Your PhD Path: From Application to Graduation
This page is designed to provide you with key information about the 2 PhD programs offered at our department, including the relevant regulations, as well as details on the application and admission procedures. Please note that the information presented serves as general guidance and may be subject to change.
For detailed information on the individual PhD programs, including specific requirements and the applicable regulations, please refer to the respective program pages.
1. Application and Admission
Requirements
A Master's degree (or equivalent) in physics, astronomy, or a related field. Please consult the website from the admissions office for further formal admission requirements.
Application to the Doctoral Program
Please apply to Open Positions.
You may also contact the group leaders of the individual Research Groups directly. Application materials should include a CV, a letter of intent (no more than 2 pages), transcripts (undergraduate and Master's), and the Master's thesis (or another scientific writing sample if the thesis is not yet available).
Application to the Admissions Office of the UZH
After successful application and acceptance to the PhD program at the department, official enrollment at the University of Zurich must be completed via the UZH application portal. Please consult the website from the Admissions Office for further information.
Please note that the 2 documents needed for the admission (Confirmation of Supervision / Acceptance Confirmation) will be created and sent to you by the HR representative of the Department as soon as possible.
2. During your PhD
Duration and funding
- The PhD program typically lasts 3 to 4 years
- Application costs and semester fees have to be covered by the prospective student
- General employment conditions can also apply for Doctoral candidates. You are generally employed at 80%. Please note that withholding taxes and social security contributions are deducted from the salary.
Duties & Progess
After official enrollment at UZH, PhD students receive an invitation to the MNF Student Admin Tool – an online system for tracking the PhD process from start to finish. In this system, milestones must be updated and completed within set deadlines.
PhD Committee
Within 6 months of enrolment, the student must complete the formation of the Doctoral Committee in consultaion with the Main Advisor. The Committee consists of at least three members, at least two of whom have the right to confer doctoral degrees at the Faculty of Science. (Art. 16 Promotionsverordnung MNF UZH)
Doctoral Agreement
The docotoral agreement, specifying the scope and working title of the PhD project, the course work and planned teaching must be handed in via the Student Admin Tool within 6 months after the start of the PhD. PhDs employed at UZH must file a signed version of the outline of rights and responsibilites (Pflichtenheft) (DOCX, 66 KB).
Teaching assistance
Teaching assistance (TA) for up to 420 hours is part of every doctoral program. In the final semester, exemptions may be granted upon request.
Course Work / ECTS
Registration of earned ECTS credits – specifications can be found in the official regulations of the respective program.
Annual Committee Meetings
The PhD advisor and the doctoral committee provide the doctoral student a regular feedback on the quality and progress of the primary research work, doctoral curricular part and teaching duties. The PhD committee meets with the PhD student every year. The minutes of the meetings must be reported to the PhD program and uploaded on StudentAdmin. You may use the following template for the Annual Committee Meeting (PDF, 946 KB). Additionally, you can add Powerpoint slides that document your progress.
Further potential activities
- PhD students additionally assist in organizing and participating in department-related events for different target groups such as Science Info Days, AIM Week, Minor and Master Days.
- Work on boards and committees
3. Graduation
Please consult the Checklist for PhD students at MNF
Thesis
The content, spelling and capitalisation of the titel page must correspond to the instructions in the template (DOC, 32 KB). The committee mentioned must correspond to the information in the Student Admin Tool. Please check before submitting, incorrect information will be returned and lead to unnecessary delays.
Registration for Defense
Registration via the Student Admin Tool at least 6 weeks at most 12 weeks before the defense.