Job Description

Doing your PhD at the LSZ Graduate School of the ETH and the University of Zurich means that you will belong to a large and ambitious life science research community. You will receive a comprehensive and challenging education that will allow you to take further career steps within academia as well as in industry – in Switzerland or worldwide.

We are searching for highly motivated students with a Master’s degree in the field of Life Sciences. You are looking for a PhD position at a renowned institution? That could be a good match! You are welcome to apply now!

Can I apply?

As a rule you must hold or anticipate receiving a university Master’s degree or equivalent in the field of natural sciences, computer sciences or engineering. With an excellent track record and good skills in spoken and written English you are welcome to apply to our PhD programs. Our funded positions are open for national and international (also non-EU) students. PhD studies at our programs usually last around 4 years.

Please also check out the eligibility criteria of our host institutions:

University of Zurich, Faculty of Science

ETH Zürich

When can I apply?

Our deadlines are 1 May (23:59 CEST) and 1 November (23:59 CET).

Please note that PhD Programs: Drug Discovery, Biomedical Ethics and Law – Medical Track, MD-PhD Program are not recruiting via track 1 ! 

Application Process

If you want to apply to the Life Science Zurich Graduate School you are welcome to do so via our online application tool.

Applications sent by e-mail are not accepted.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent from a university in the field of Natural Sciences. You can also apply if you receive your master’s degree within 6 – 9 months after the application deadline. In this case, please upload a copy of your Bachelor’s degree or an academic transcript.

Only pdf files are allowed! (free online PDF converter)

The Life Science Zurich Graduate School can offer 80-100 PhD projects for each recruitment round. These are visible to all short-listed candidates.

Assessment and selection procedure

Applicants will be assessed on the basis of their application and the letters of recommendation. Short-listed candidates will participate in a round of online interviews and may thereafter be invited for an in-person visit in Zurich. Travel expenses will be reimbursed and free accommodation in Zurich is provided.

Next interview dates:

1 November 2025 deadline:
Virtual interviews: Wednesday through Friday of week 50, 2025 (10-12 December 2025)
In-person visits: Wednesday through Friday of week 3, 2026 (14-16 January 2026)

1 May 2026 deadline:

Virtual interviews: Wednesday through Friday of week 25, 2026 (17-19 June 2026)

In-person visits: Wednesday through Friday of week 28, 2025 (8-10 July 2026)

Registration

After having found a position in one of our programs you will have to register with either the University of Zurich or the ETH Zurich, depending on the affiliation of your future mentor.

Frequently Asked Questions