Are you holding Master’s degree and looking for fully funded PhD positions? ETH Zurich, Switzerland invites online application for multiple funded PhD Programs / fully funded PhD positions in various research areas.
Candidates interested in fully funded PhD positions can check the details and may apply as soon as possible. Interested and eligible applicants may submit their online application for PhD programs via the University’s Online Application Portal.
1. Fully Funded PhD Position in Solar Orbiter Science
Summary of PhD Program:
You will undergo original research in the area of solar wind formation. The project is dominantly data analysis and you will actively engage with international instruments and mission consortia. The project will entail analysing data not only from the Solar Orbiter mission but also from Hinode, IRIS, SDO and potentially DKIST. The analysis software is based both in Python and IDL. As part of your role as a PhD student, you will also actively engage in the teaching of the D-PHYS department at ETH.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
2. Fully Funded PhD Position in Cell Biology and Genetic Immunity
Summary of PhD Program:
The Kroschewski Lab at the Institute of Biochemistry at ETH Zurich investigates the mechanisms of cell diversity focusing on the biology of extra-chromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA). The group studies predominantly the reaction of mammalian tissue culture cells to transfected plasmid DNA (exogenous eccDNA). We apply state-of-the-art methods in cell biology and live cell imaging. The results of our work are important for understanding the molecular basis of ageing and diseases such as cancer, which are often directly linked to circular DNAs. In addition, our findings might impinge on gene-therapy.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
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3. Fully Funded PhD Position in Virtual Reality and Brain-Computer Interfaces
Summary of PhD Program:
In this project, we will design and study novel VR systems that analyze the electrophysiological activity of a user’s brain, through a passive BCI, to improve the perception of virtual environments. The objective is to integrate into the VR system new ways to assess the user’s mental state through real-time classification of EEG data, determining the neural correlates of physiological markers and users’ perceptions. The ultimate goal will be to improve user immersion by increasing levels of embodiment and reducing or preventing cybersickness through real-time adaptation of virtual content to mental states.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
4. Fully Funded PhD Position in forestry and remote sensing: Tree species monitoring
Summary of PhD Program:
Forests provide numerous ecological, economic, and climatic benefits, yet they are highly vulnerable to climatic extremes. Actively managing forest ecosystems for resilience and adaptation is crucial to ensure that forests continue providing these benefits. Forest monitoring – in particular tree species identification – is essential for assessing biodiversity, understanding forest resilience to climate change, and developing forest management strategies.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
5. Fully Funded PhD Position in XR applications for inspection of net-zero carbon infrastructure
Summary of PhD Program:
This position will be hosted by the Chair of Physical Chemistry of Building Materials, which develops research on the physical chemistry of construction materials, as well as their processing and in particular digital fabrication. A key focus lies in enabling reducing the carbon footprint of concrete, through enabling process that use less materials and/or by modifying the material itself without however compromising essential properties as rheology, strength and durability. Society faces the challenge of reducing the environmental impact of this material without compromising people’s need for housing and infrastructure. The group investigates solutions to this challenge and aims for real potential of large-scale impact in this sector.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
6. Fully Funded PhD Position in Computer Simulation of Spinal Segment Mechanics
Summary of PhD Program:
The available position is funded under the EU H2020 program “METASTRA”. METASTRA aims to improve the prevention of fractures in patients with vertebral metastases, and to deliver patient-targeted treatment by developing robust computational models that will reliably stratify patients based on their fracture risk. METASTRA will provide a combination of validated biomechanical models and data driven AI models that will be incorporated in a Decision Support System (DSS). You will gain the necessary interdisciplinary skills demanded by industry and academia to deliver timely and cost-effective solutions to one of the most challenging problems in spinal healthcare.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
7. Fully Funded PhD Position in the Distributed Computing Group
Summary of PhD Program:
The Distributed Computing Group is a research group at ETH Zurich. We are interested in a variety of research topics on new and upcoming areas off the beaten paths. Our three main areas of research are machine learning, distributed systems, and theory of networks. Within these three areas, we are currently working on several projects: graph neural networks, natural language processing, algorithmic learning, fault-tolerance, blockchains, consensus, cryptocurrencies, digital money, central bank digital currency, decentralized finance, financial networks, e-democracy, voting, social networks, online analysis with delay, and theory of distributed algorithms.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
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8. Fully Funded PhD Position in Machine Learning Directed Design of Actuators from Biological Muscle
Summary of PhD Program:
We are looking for a an individual interested in pursuing a PhD at the interface of computational modeling and bioengineering. You will join a group that is working on the next frontier of soft robotics: biohybrid robotics. We focus on engineering skeletal and cardiac muscle tissues to grow biological muscles that are functional and could be used as actuators. These biohybrid systems also provide crucial insight for biomedical topics such as muscle and nerve regeneration, medical implants, and prostheses.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
9. Fully Funded PhD Position in data-driven characterisation of paediatric sepsis
Summary of PhD Program:
The Biomedical Data Science Lab investigates data-driven solutions for healthcare applications with a focus on neurological conditions such as spinal cord injury, lower back pain, neuro-degenerative disorders and neurological tumors. At the core of our research is the collaboration across disciplines spanning expertise in medicine, biology, computer and data science. The ICU of the University Children’s Hospital Zurich conducts innovative research projects in an interdisciplinary team to improve patient care. Our practice-oriented research focus ranges from cardiovascular and respiratory support to asphyxia and neuroprotection, with a particular interest in sepsis in children. We are seeking a motivated PhD to join this growing team and contribute to interdisciplinary research partnerships.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
10. Fully Funded PhD Position in Differentiable Simulation and Machine Learning for Musculoskeletal Robotics
Summary of PhD Program:
This doctoral position will focus mainly on the simulation and computational aspects, while most hardware components are fabricated and built by colleagues in the Soft Robotics Laboratory. Simulation to reality validation needs to be performed through experimental setups that the candidate should be able to design and use. A strong interest in working hands-on with robotic systems and validating simulations in the real world on robots is desirable.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
11. Fully Funded PhD Position in role of particle size and mixing state for ice nucleation on mineral dust
Summary of PhD Program:
Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) represent only a tiny fraction of the atmospheric aerosol, but they are key actors in cloud processes including precipitation formation, as they initiate the ice phase in clouds. Although mineral dusts are probably the most important and best established type of atmospheric INPs, there are still major unknowns that preclude a reliable prediction of ice crystals forming on them. Different factors have been identified that influence their freezing temperatures. Apart from the mineral type, these are particle size, interactions with solutes and water, adsorption of organic molecules, and freezing mode. Yet, some of these factors do not seem to matter in general, but only for some mineral types. Therefore, attempts to generalize them to all types of mineral INPs produce conflicting results.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
12. Fully Funded PhD Position in Physics-informed Traffic Management in Intelligent Transportation Systems
Summary of PhD Program:
The motivation of the proposed project is to explore physics-informed solutions, combining established knowledge from modeling approaches with the capability of machine learning to capture complex patterns observed in real-world cases. The goal is the development of robust traffic management strategies for highway (e.g. ramp control) or urban (e.g. perimeter control) networks focusing on minimizing the time that users spend in the network and their energy consumption while homogenizing traffic flows. The role of connected and automated vehicles as mobile sensors and actuators within congested environments will be explored. Modeling and simulation will be used as tools for assessment.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
13. Fully Funded PhD Position in biogenic macromolecules for ice nucleation of fertile soils
Summary of PhD Program:
Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) represent only a tiny fraction of the atmospheric aerosol, but they are key actors in cloud processes including precipitation formation, as they initiate the ice phase in clouds. Although mineral dusts are probably the most important and best established type of atmospheric INPs, there are still major unknowns that preclude a reliable prediction of ice crystals forming on them. Different factors have been identified that influence their freezing temperatures. Apart from the mineral type, these are particle size, interactions with solutes and water, adsorption of organic molecules, and freezing mode. Yet, some of these factors do not seem to matter in general, but only for some mineral types. Therefore, attempts to generalize them to all types of mineral INPs produce conflicting results.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
14. Fully Funded PhD Position in emerging black soldier fly biowaste processing
Summary of PhD Program:
Black soldier fly processing is an emerging technology for the recycling of organic waste. Depending on the rearing conditions, the process can be optimized towards different objectives including waste management or the production of different raw materials for food production. Unfortunately, ideal rearing conditions are poorly understood. Waste treatment and product quality are especially notoriously unreliable on wastes due to the natural variability in nutrient composition and microbial communities. Identifying rearing conditions is complicated by many interconnected parameters such as feedstock composition, larval density, environmental conditions, rearing duration, feeding rate and height, affecting waste treatment and product quality.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
15. Fully Funded PhD Position in historical building research and construction history
Summary of PhD Program:
As part of the project, the preserved bridges must be measured and documented in detail, construction phases and later repairs identified in order to create a reliable basis for further analysis. Archival research allows for in-depth exploration of the technical and socio-economic framework. Also the preserved bridge models can be examined in a similar way as the bridges themselves. At the end of the project there are dissertations on sub-projects, an overall monograph and, if possible, a public exhibition on the subject. If you are interested in historical constructions, have a suitable professional background and could start around the 4th quarter of 2023, we look forward to receiving your application.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
16. Fully Funded PhD Position in developing new concepts for automatically detecting de-energized overhead lines
Summary of PhD Program:
We are looking for outstanding, highly motivated people interested in pursuing PhD research on new concepts for automatically detecting if overhead lines for electric locomotives or trucks are energized. In railway grids with a high level of electrification for reducing CO2 emission, there are always also areas without electrification, e.g. for shunting/loading. For operating locomotives in both areas, the pantograph connecting the locomotive to the overhead line must be operated properly at transition points between energized and de-energized areas to avoid costly damage to the pantograph/overhead line and the related outages of locomotives.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
17. Fully Funded PhD Position in Application of Large Language Models in Marketing
Summary of PhD Program:
The focus of the positions is on research, aiming at publications in leading international journals. Research can build to the chair’s extensive track record in the field of Data Science and Chatbots, but we are also open to related topics. The PhD position involves assisting the chair with administrative tasks and in teaching, while the PostDoc position involves teaching one course per year (e.g., electives for master students and/or PhD courses, where one course is 90 minutes of teaching/week in English).
Application Deadline: Open until filled
18. Fully Funded PhD Position in Re-engineering informal construction through circular practices and models
Summary of PhD Program:
This PhD position on circular practices in informal construction is at the Chair of Circular Engineering for Architecture (CEA) at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and will be conducted in coordination with the Housing unit (School of Built Environment and Development Studies), at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We are seeking a highly motivated and qualified PhD researcher to join our team working on developing material passports for low-income economies in the context of re-engineering informal construction through circular practices and models. You will be responsible for conducting research and developing methodologies for the creation and implementation of material passports in South African vulnerable communities.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
19. Fully Funded PhD Position in device engineering for efficient microhistology
Summary of PhD Program:
Microtissues, including organoids and spheroids, are transforming biological research, drug discovery, and personalized medicine. Histological analysis of microtissues currently allows us to decipher disease mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic molecules for cancer patients. However, the histology of these models remains highly inefficient, wasteful, time intensive, and costly as it is difficult to position heterogeneous and complex microtissues for efficient processing. This project aims to address this limitation by the use of acoustofluidics for positioning microtissues within a gel embedding medium. We will develop a device to carry out the positioning of the microtissues as well as an associated labware needed to streamline the process and integrate it within existing histology workflows.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
20. Fully Funded PhD Position in Geobiology and Microbiology of Extreme Environments
Summary of PhD Program:
The PhD project will investigate how seismic activity and oxidative stress affect subsurface microbial and viral communities. For this position you have a strong background in either geobiology, environmental microbiology and/or computational biology (or related subjects) and are interested in microbial evolution and extreme environments. This project includes experimental and computational components including microbial enrichment experiments, underground field experiments at the Bedretto Underground Lab’s Deep Life Observatory and metagenomic/metatranscriptomic/metaproteomic analysis.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
21. Fully Funded PhD Position in Multiscale response of skin to mechanical stressors
Summary of PhD Program:
This project is part of a collaborative and interdisciplinary effort involving researchers in cell biology, skin mechanics, and biomaterials to bring new understanding of tissue-level response to mechanical stressors, and translate this to clinical applications. The doctoral student in the Tibbitt group will focus on the fabrication, characterization, and implementation of 3D biomaterials that represent a physiologically- and mechanically-relevant models of dermal skin tissue, and their integration in bioreactors, as well as characterization of the biological response. The goal is to have 3D in vitro system to mimic the ex vivo conditions and to control each of the physical state variables of the cell microenvironment in vitro.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
22. Fully Funded PhD Position in nutritional breath metabolomics
Summary of PhD Program:
We seek to fill 2 PhD positions in the framework of a project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation in the areas of on-line exhaled breath analysis and nutrition. The primary scientific aim of the Lactobreath project is to apply metabolomics technologies for identifying and quantifying metabolites associated with lactose metabolism and present in exhaled breath. The project will be carried out in collaboration with Agroscope (Liebefeld Campus), University Hospital Zurich, and the Swiss Allergy Centre (aha!). The duration of the position is three years, and starting date is expected to be immediately or upon mutual agreement.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
23. Fully Funded PhD Position in Housing, Architecture, and Mobility
Summary of PhD Program:
The overall project focuses on post-separation custody arrangements and their impact on children and will contribute to the identification of risk and resilience factors for child well-being after parental union dissolution in Switzerland. Building on the insights of social demography, psychology, architecture and housing studies, and law, this interdisciplinary project investigates the interdependent effects of four key dimensions on child well-being: socio-structural (social inequalities within and between families), relational (interpersonal relationships between family members), spatial (housing-mobility arrangements), and legal (legal regulations and court decisions).
