Doing a PhD in Switzerland

Why do a PhD in Switzerland

• Among the highest doctoral salaries worldwide: CHF 50,000–77,000/yr
• Cutting-edge research: EPF, ETH, cantonal universities, SNSF
• Gateway to top Swiss industry (pharma, finance, tech, MedTech)
• English as research language in most scientific doctorates
• European mobility facilitated (Horizon Europe, ERC, SNSF)

Admission requirements

• Master (180 ECTS + 90–120 ECTS) or recognised equivalent
• Academic excellence: GPA above 4.5/6 (typical for EPF/ETH) or equivalent
• Find a thesis supervisor: crucial, often via direct contact (email, conference, formal application)
• English B2–C1 (TOEFL/IELTS often required)
• German sometimes required at German-speaking universities for some fields

Duration

• 3–5 years on average
• 3 yrs = minimum ambition (minimal publications)
• 4 yrs = Swiss standard
• 5+ yrs = ambitious projects or direction changes

Doctoral salaries

EPF / ETH (SUK scale)

• Year 1: CHF 50,000–55,000
• Year 2: CHF 55,000–60,000
• Years 3–4: CHF 65,000–77,000
• Extensions: possible depending on lab, up to CHF 80,000

Cantonal universities

• Natural sciences: EPF/ETH level
• Humanities and social sciences: CHF 45,000–65,000 (often 80% part-time)
• Law, economics, clinical medicine: CHF 50,000–75,000
• SNSF Doc.Mobility: international mobility grant CHF 40,000–60,000

Funding modes

• Doctoral assistant: employed by lab, teaching load 25–30%
• SNSF / ERC / Horizon Europe grant: similar salary but no teaching (pure research)
• External grant (Marie Curie, Fulbright, foundations): variable
• Industry (CTI/Innosuisse): academic-industry partnership, salary ~CHF 70,000–85,000

Daily life

• Student housing or shared flat: CHF 700–1,200/month
• Social contributions (AVS, LPP, LAA) deducted from salary
• 5–6 weeks holiday
• Frequent international mobility (conferences, internships)
• Library, equipment, travel funded by lab

Post-PhD outcomes

Academia

• Postdoc in Switzerland or abroad: CHF 75,000–95,000
• Tenure-track assistant professor: CHF 130,000–180,000
• Full professor: CHF 200,000–280,000+ (depending on seniority)

Industry

• Pharma/biotech/MedTech R&D: CHF 105,000–160,000 starting
• Quantitative finance: CHF 130,000–180,000
• Tech (Google, IBM Research, scale-ups): CHF 130,000–180,000
• Scientific consulting / strategy: CHF 120,000–180,000
• Entrepreneurship / spin-off: variable, strong upside with equity

Public and international

• Confederation, cantons: CHF 110,000–160,000
• International organisations (WHO, CERN, ILO): UN salaries, CHF 130,000–220,000

Tips

• Pick your thesis supervisor at least as carefully as the topic: their network and supervision style matter enormously
• Plan publications ahead: 3–5 first-author papers in recognised journals = solid base
• Network via international conferences: your next role likely comes from a meeting
• Learn to teach: an asset for academia, and useful professionally
• Don't hesitate to go to industry post-PhD: Switzerland offers one of the best tech/pharma markets globally