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Department of Physics

Doctoral studies.

Doctoral studies are carried out in individual research groups, combining original research with specialised doctorate courses and teaching activities.

ETH Zurich offers outstanding conditions for a doctorate: an innovative atmosphere, state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories, and an environment that inspires the scientific talents of tomorrow.

The emphasis of your work will be to perform independent research, usually as part of a project. The details will depend on the field chosen. It is expected that you publish your results in international scientific journals and that you write a doctoral thesis, which also will be published. All of this work will be done under the supervision of your thesis advisor. Upon successful completion, you are awarded the title "Doctor of Sciences (Dr. sc. ETH Zurich)”.

On these pages you can find information about doctoral studies at the Department of Physics.

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Department of Architecture

Doctoral studies at the d-arch.

On 1.1.2022 the new doctoral ordinance of the ETH Zurich as well as new implementation and detailed provisions come into force. They replace the editions of 1.7.2008 (Doctoral Ordinance) and 17.10.2013 (Implementation Regulations).

Forms, information sheets, legal basis and further information are made available here:

• external page call_made Doctoral Ordinance ETH Zurich (1.1.22)
• Download vertical_align_bottom Doctorate Detailed Stipulations  (PDF, 287 KB)
• chevron_right Doctorate D-ARCH Regulations
• chevron_right Doctorate at ETH Zurich
• chevron_right Student portal: Doctorate
• chevron_right Forms, Procedures, Legal Matters

The individual doctorate is based on an agreement between the candidate and the supervisor of the doctoral thesis. With the approval of the doctoral plan by the aptitude colloquium within one year of starting the doctorate, the candidate is definitely admitted to the doctorate. The aptitude colloquium is taken in the institute to which the supervisor of the doctoral thesis belongs (if he or she belongs to the IEA institute, doctoral students can, in consultation with their supervisor, choose the aptitude colloquium of any other institute at D-ARCH).

In addition to applying for an individual doctorate, it is also possible to apply for admission to a doctoral program. The application for a doctoral program precedes the admission procedure stipulated in the doctoral ordinance (for details, see the regulations of the relevant doctoral programs). A doctoral candidate can only be enrolled in one doctoral program. If you participate in more than one doctoral program, the doctoral program in which a substantial part of the doctoral studies is completed will be selected.

The deadlines for submitting the doctoral plan, for appointing the second supervisor, for completing the aptitude colloquium, for reporting co-examiners and the over all period for the doctorate can be viewed by the students in their myStudies account.

After registration, applicants are provisionally enrolled.

Within 12 months of prov. admission, the candidate must pass an aptitude colloquium. These take place in week 5, 23 and 37. The candidate must register online for the aptitude colloquium until Friday in KW 2, 20 and 34

The aptitude committee examines whether the candidate is qualified to independently carry out a research project and write a doctoral thesis. The subject of the examination is the research project described in the doctoral plan.

If the aptitude colloquium takes place in a video conference, two-way communication in image and sound must be guaranteed. If this is not the case, the chairperson is obliged to break off the colloquium and agree on a new date.

The aptitude committe e (of the institutes ITA, GTA, IDB, LUS) consists of a member of the doctoral committee, the supervisor of the doctoral thesis and the second advisor. Their tasks are:

• Examination of the candidate's aptitude ("passed" / "failed"); • Written submission of the result to the head of the doctoral committee   (possibly with additional remarks to the research project); • Written justification of the evaluation in case of disagreement between    the members of the committee; • Statement on the participation of the doctoral candidate in teaching and    on other tasks; • Statement on the schedule in the case of an extended doctoral program.

If the deadline for the aptitude colloquium is not met, the candidate will be exmatriculated based on Art. 22 para. 2 let. b Doctoral Ordinance ETH Zurich.

The Introductory Programme is for students who recently started their doctorate at ETH Zurich.

The doctoral plan must be submitted at least 1 year after entry, until Friday in calendar weeks 2, 20 or 34.

For the doctoral plan, following Download template (PDF, 619 KB) vertical_align_bottom must be used and a curriculum vitae must be attached.

• Abstract (max. 1 A4-page)
• CV (max. 2 A4-pages)
• Formulation of research objective and research questions, presentation of the planned methodology and brief description of the expected gain in knowledge. (max. 10 A4-pages);

The second advisor must be reported with the doctoral plan. The second advisor is appointed by the supervisor, in agreement with the doctoral candidate. A second advisor has at least the level of a post-​doc or equivalent or is an ETH-​internal or ETH-​external expert in the relevant research area. A second advoisor who is not a professor of ETH can also take part in the doctoral examination as a co-​examiner later - with the appropriate approval of the doctoral committee. If so, he or she does also have to write a report on the thesis. Second advisors without permission are admitted as guests to the doctoral examination.

A co-examiner can be appointed right at the beginning of a doctorate, however he or she must be appointed before registering for the doctoral examination at the latest.

• Title, Name
• Current position / company
• Research field
• Phone number
• Email address

Coexaminers who are not professors of ETH Zurich must be approved by the responsible doctoral committee.

For all doctoral examinations taken after 1.1.2024 the following applies:

• At least one co-examiner is from outside ETH Zurich and is an expert in the candidate's research field.
• If there is a relationship of dependence between the doctoral thesis supervisor and the co-examiners, another independent and expert person must be appointed.

Attention! The following are eligible for election as external co-​examiners:

• Active professors from other universities
• Persons who are proven experts in the area of the doctoral thesis and are equivalent to professors in this (example: a research director from a research institution in the ETH domain, a Max-​Planck institute or a Centre National de la  Recherche Scientifique)

Not included are persons from universities of applied sciences or private industry with the corresponding expertise. They may, however, be appointed as additional members of the examina-​tion committee.

Supervisors of doctoral theses are confirmed as examiners in doctoral examinations for up to one year after their retirement. The department is responsible for this confirmation. In this case, it must be ensured that at least one professor from ETH Zurich is involved as a co-examiner.

Definitely admitted doctoral students submit an annual progress report to their supervisor on the status and planned progress of their research work as well as any significant deviations from the doctoral plan.

In addition, the supervisor conducts an on-site interview with the doctoral candidate at least once a year. It is recommended to also invite the second advisor. The annual status conversation determines the doctoral student's position, supports in all relevant matters and evaluates the candidate's performance. The result of the conversation is recorded in writing in a template (see website) in the following points:

• Assessment of the research based on the progress report;
• Determination of the next steps;
• work situation in the research group;
• Status in doctoral studies;
• Personal development opportunities and, if necessary, appropriate measures.

The supervisor confirms in a template that the on-site interview has taken place and that the progress report has been submitted (date, time, place and signatures of the head and the doctoral candidate).

The supervisor and the doctoral candidate are obliged to keep all progress reports and protocols of the annual status conversations until the candidate is exmatriculated from the doctorate!

• chevron_right Template: Annual Progress Report
• chevron_right Template: Annual Status Conversation

Doctoral students are encouraged to continue their education. In this respect, doctoral studies allow students to deepen their knowledge in their research field, to improve their skills in related research areas as general education and to facilitate their integration into the scientific community.

Within the doctoral studies ("Doktoratsverordnung of ETH Zurich"), the students have not only the right but also a commitment to widen their knowledge.

As a prerequisite for taking a doctoral exam, candidates must provide evidence of 12 ECTS acquired during their regular doctoral studies, whereof at least one third has to be acquired outside of their research area.

If, based on the decision of the supervisor at the beginning of the doctorate, a so-called extended doctoral program is ordered, an individual study plan is created as part of the doctoral plan. In the extended doctoral program, coursework can be ordered up to a maximum of 30 ECTS. They are to be acquired in addition to the ECTS in the regular doctoral program.

ECTS credit points are only awarded if - when completing a course unit, the associated performance assessment   was passed; - the doctoral candidate has made an active, verifiable contribution when   participating in other scientific events (conferences, conventions); - the performance from a course at Master’s level was achieved; - the performance was not provided in a course held by the own leader.

1 ECTS is equivalent to 30 working hours. Credits are issued for a doctoral student’s personal contribution only.

Doctoral students always find an adequate, extensive range of courses: specially designed courses, seminars and colloquia at the ETH, at the University of Zurich or at other universities. Credits outside the research area can be acquired at D-GESS, among others. Active participation in committees and working groups at ETH Zurich, the organization and/or active participation in conferences and workshops at home or abroad can also be credited with ECTS.

The study achievements can be documented accordingly in mystudies.

Applications for credits from approved study achievements (participation in committees and working groups of ETH Zurich, organization and/or active participation in conferences and workshops in Switzerland and abroad) can be submitted in mystudies -> Functions -> Requests together with the form " Confirmation of course attendance" as well as papers, course certificates, etc.

Creditable achievements

The doctoral exam has to take place 6 years after the temporary admission at the latest., from 1.3.2024, possible defence dates will only be offered if 12 credits have been achieved. for further information visit: acquiring ects and extended doctoral studies..

The Study Secretariate (doctoral office) proposes one or more dates in consultation with the chairperson of the examination committee.

No doctoral exams are held in July and August.

If these requirements are met, the doctoral office suggests one or more dates in consultation with the chairperson of the examination board. The doctoral student coordinates this appointment(s) with the supervisor, the co-examiners and possibly the second supervisor. The doctoral student reports the chosen date to the D-ARCH doctoral office.

Registering for the doctoral exam

The doctoral student registers for the doctoral examination at least 1 month before the doctoral examination takes place.

• Form"Registration for Doctoral Examination", signed of both, supervisor and candidate, including stamp and signature of the D-ARCH Doctoral Office that the 12 ECTS (one third hereof out of the research field) have been acquired.
• Title page of the doctoral thesis (without the dissertation number, this will be assigned later!)

After receiving the confirmation of registration

• the doctoral office invites the candidate and all members of the examination committee to the doctoral examination (email) and informs them of this to all official bodies.
• the doctoral office publishes the doctoral examination in the event calendar of the department.

Form of doctoral examination and examination committee:

A doctoral examination is generally public and can take place both physically and virtually (VideoZoom). The D-ARCH can restrict the public of the examination. If the doctoral examination takes place virtually (VideoZoom), it is hosted by MMS technology. The candidate contacts the MMS technician in good time before the exam (according to the contact details in the invitation). If an examination cannot be carried out properly for technical reasons, it must be canceled or postponed. For the implementation of doctoral examinations, the current instructions of the school management apply. The candidate is responsible for organizing a Zoom Link for hybrid exams.

Composition of the examination committee:

• A chairperson appointed by the head of department; (Professor)
• Supervisor (called the examiner);
• At least one co-examiner, whereas for doctoral examinations after 1.1.2024 the following applies: 1) At least one co-examiner must be from outside ETH Zurich; 2) In the event of a dependent relationship between the head of department and the co-examiners, another independent and expert person must be added.

Procedure for the doctoral examination:

• Candidate's presentation and interrogation by the examination board: 60 minutes;
• Questions from guests: 10 minutes;
• Decision and announcement of the expert committee's result: 20 minutes;
• Download vertical_align_bottom Template of doctoral thesis title page  (PDF, 128 KB)
• chevron_right “Citation etiquette” – the information sheet on plagiarism
• chevron_right Registration form for doctoral examination
• chevron_right Student portal Doctoral thesis & doctoral examination

After the doctoral exam important final steps have to be taken before you receive your doctor’s title:

• Approval of the thesis by the Department Conference (this is the date of the dematriculation from the doctorate)
• Submission of deposit copies ( 3 months at the latest after the dematriculation date ) as per personal letter of the central doctoral administration office.
• chevron_right Student portal: Final steps
• chevron_right Student portal: Deposit copies
• Download vertical_align_bottom Form "Submitting the doctoral thesis deposit copies"  (PDF, 886 KB)
• Download vertical_align_bottom Template of Doctoral thesis title page  (PDF, 128 KB)

If you decide to change the supervisor, you need the agreement of the new supervisor and, if possible, also the agreement of the former supervisor. Please hand in or send the corresponding form to the Doctoral Administration Office, main building, FO 23.4, Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zürich.

If you feel not to be able to finish your doctorate within the maximum period of 6 years, a well-founded request for extension is to be handed in to the Doctoral Administration Office, main building, FO 23.4, Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zurich within due time.

If you withdraw from your doctorate early, it is not enough simply not to enrol for any more semesters. Your withdrawal must be officially reported to the Doctoral Administration Office using the form "Withdrawal declaration for doctoral students". Only when you have submitted this, together with your ETH card, will you be de-matriculated.

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International Political Economy and Environmental Politics

Phd program.

Our group typically includes around 4-6 doctoral (PhD) students. Completing a doctorate at ETH Zurich normally takes around 3-4 years of full-time research and education/training. All doctoral students are fully funded in the order of around CHF 3,500/month. This means that we recruit new doctoral students when funding is available (see Open Positions ). Around 70% of a doctoral student’s time-budget is allocated to research, 20% to education/training, and 10% to teaching or other services for the group. Completing a doctorate in our group requires a full-time presence at ETH Zurich.

For more information consult the CIS  PhD program page .

Important Information

• chevron_right Doctoral Studies at D-GESS
• chevron_right ETH's Doctoral Administration

Open Positions

Please check our Open Positions section to see our latest postings.

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Department of Management, Technology, and Economics

Doctoral studies in economics.

Doctoral studies in economics include advanced micro- and macroeconomics, econometrics, computational economics, environmental and resource economics, the design of institutions, and policy dynamic macroeconomics.

In order to be eligible for doctoral studies in economics, prospective doctoral candidates must apply for an open position at a CER-ETH chair .

Involved chairs, centres, and institutes

Course overview.

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Department of Health Sciences and Technology

Doctoral studies.

D-HEST Doctoral Administration is closed: 01.08.2024 - 31.08.2024 and 23.12.2024 - 12.01.2025 → No doctoral examinations or aptitude colloquia can be held during these periods.  

On 1 January 2022, the new ETH Zurich Ordinance on the Doctorate as well as the Rector’s Implementation Provisions came into force.

For general information on the new regulations, please check the student portal at https://ethz.ch/students/en/doctorate.html .

Legal documents and further information are available here:

In English:

• chevron_right ETH Zurich Ordinance on the Doctorate (English)
• chevron_right Rector’s Implementation Provisions for the ETH Zurich Ordinance on the Doctorate (English)
• chevron_right Detailed Stipulations of the Department of Health Sciences and Technology (English)
• chevron_right General information about doctorates at ETH Zurich, for prospective doctoral students (ETH Zurich main website; English)
• chevron_right Information for doctoral students, Student Portal of ETH Zurich (English)
• external page call_made ETH Zurich Ordinance on the Doctorate (German; legally binding)
• chevron_right Rector’s Implementation Provisions for the ETH Zurich Ordinance on the Doctorate (German; legally binding)
• chevron_right Detailed Stipulations of the Department of Health Sciences and Technology (German; legally binding)
• chevron_right General information about doctorates at ETH Zurich, for prospective doctoral students (ETH Zurich main website; German)
• chevron_right Information for doctoral students, Student Portal of ETH Zurich (German)

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Department of Computer Science

Application and admission.

Students holding a Master's degree in computer science or a related field are cordially invited to apply for doctoral studies in Computer Science.

Application and admission are possible at any time; there are no deadlines.

Applicants need a Master's degree with a strong background in computer science or a closely related field. Also, applicants need to be proficient both in written and spoken English. Language tests are not required. However, if you have documental proof, please include it in your application. Typically, personal interviews are conducted with candidates considered for admission. GRE tests are not mandatory. However, if proof of results is available, please include it in your application.  

Applications are always accepted in one of two ways:

Option 1 : You can contact a professor in an area of your interest to find out whether they have openings and may be interested in supervising you as a doctoral student.

List of professors and research groups: Research Groups

Once you have found a supervisor, you must submit your application via eApply. Details and further information you will find here .

Option 2 : You can submit your application online via our central application system . This way, your application will automatically be available to and reviewed by our entire faculty. The application is free of charge.

The online application is exclusively electronic. Please provide the following documents:

• Scans of diplomas of completed degrees
• Scans of grade records for all attended universities
• Statement of objective (text only in English)
• Contact information of three references providing recommendations

Note that all uploaded files should be unprotected PDFs each not exceeding 2 MB in size.

Once your application is submitted, it will remain active for four months. In this period, you may be contacted by any interested faculty member. Otherwise, you will receive a notification at the end of this period.

Doctoral students are employees and students. Therefore, upon admission, they receive an employment contract and a confirmation of provisional admission. Only after having passed the aptitude colloquium, which must take place after twelve months at the latest, doctoral students are admitted definitively.

Enrolment in myStudies at the beginning of every semester is compulsory right up to the decision on conferral of the doctoral degree.

In addition to conducting research, doctoral students are also teaching assistants and supervise student projects from the bachelor's and master's programmes. Open positions for teaching assistants are to be found here .  

Doctoral students generally have an employment contract. At D-INFK, the salary rates for doctoral students are Rate 4 or Rate 5, which enables them to cover their living expenses  comfortably in Switzerland.

Additional information on admission costs, tuition and semester fees, and living costs can be found here .