Doctoral Studies

Doctoral studies mean catching up to the forefront of research and pushing it further. Doctoral students (PhD students) are individually supervised by a professor. The studies should take about 3-4 years (beyond the master degree) and must result in a thesis with a definite scientific contribution on an international level. A small number of graduate courses (12 ECTS credit points) is also mandatory. A research plan (approved by the supervising professor) must be submitted no later than 12 months after the beginning of the doctoral studies.

Doctoral students at D-ITET generally hold paid positions with one of the research laboratories of the department. In addition to working on their own research project, most doctoral students are also teaching assistants and supervise student projects in the bachelor and master programs.

Applications for a PhD position should be sent directly to the individual professors. Applicants must have a master degree from a reputed university. Admission may be conditional on passing one or two courses at ETH.

For general information about the doctorate at ETH, see also http://www.rektorat.ethz.ch/doctorate/index_EN.

Information about administrative steps during your doctorate at D-ITET: http://www.vmitet.ethz.ch/phd/index.de.php (German only)

For your accomodation in Zurich: http://www.wohnen.ethz.ch/allocation/doctoral/index_EN