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The PhD programme in Computational Science is a joint initiative of the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, which aims to:

  • Foster sustained interactions between PhD students, faculty and staff
  • Promote exchanges between academia, industry and society enabled by computational science

Computational Science  is an interdisciplinary field that leverages computational methods, algorithms, and simulations to solve complex scientific problems within the realms of biology, physics, chemistry, earth sciences, astronomy, and other natural sciences. Computational science offers methods of scientific inquiry, complementing theory and experiments, and expanding the potential for discovery and innovation. Applicants to the program are expected to have a background both in computing and natural science.

Application and enrollment

The Computational Sciences PhD programme is a 3-4year MSc to PhD program. Participating students can choose from a broad selection of research topics and classes. Enrollment into the program is decided by an admission committee. In order to graduate, students need to fulfill the following requirements:

  • Acquisition of 12 credit points of advanced courses
  • Deposition and defense of a Ph.D. thesis describing the student’s original research work,
  • Additional requirements imposed by the host institution (University of Zurich or ETH Zurich) so as to comply fully with their regulations.

The final degree is conferred by either the University of Zurich or the ETH Zürich, depending on the academic affiliation of the host laboratory.

Official PhD regulations for the Computational Science Programme: PDF EN / PDF DE

Link to the Regulations Governing PhD Studies at the MNF

Link to the official page of the Graduate School for CS

Admissions to Promotion - Useful links and documents:

Admission to Doctoral Studies at the University of Zurich

Factsheet Admission to a PhD Program at the Department of Astrophysics (PDF, 621 KB) Checklist for PhD students

"Confirmation of Supervision for Doctoral Students" (PDF, 242 KB)

"Acceptance Confirmation Structured Doctoral Program" (PDF, 225 KB) Annual committee meeting minutes (PDF, 1 MB)

Confirmation Sheet - TA Hours (PDF, 224 KB)

Fact sheet PhD Defence (EN) / Merkblatt (DE)

Program Director Prof. Dr. Robert Feldmann [email protected]

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ETH AI Center  

Eth ai center doctoral fellowships.

The ETH AI Center offers a unique fellowship program for doctoral students, designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and a positive impact to society. 

The ETH AI Center promotes trustworthy, accessible, and inclusive AI systems. For this goal, we bring together interdisciplinary research teams of AI foundations, applications, and implications across all departments and look at AI from many different angles like mathematical principles, medicine, architecture, robotics, and social sciences / future of work. We enable research of high quality, industry innovation, and AI entrepreneurship.

About AI Center fellowships

The ETH AI Center faculty comprises more than 110 professorships representing all sixteen departments of ETH Zurich and five external research groups (from University of Zurich and University of St. Gallen). The ETH AI Center Fellowship program is one of Europe’s premier Post-​Doc programs focused on advancing interdisciplinary AI research. This can be inside AI foundations or between AI foundations and application areas. Fellows work with two excellent PIs who are from different fields and carry equal weights in the supervision.

Your mission

Within the doctoral fellowship program you will conduct research that impacts the future of AI. You will be working on your own project (that you will propose) and continuously have the opportunity to exchange with other teams and professorships, participate at faculty retreats, symposia, summits etc. Fellows have their primary office at the ETH AI Center and enjoy excellent employment conditions. The center offers plenty of opportunities to strengthen your career path through an optional entrepreneurial or industry track that provides you with valuable hands-on experience to turn your research into practical impact.

What we offer

We offer 5 to 8 doctoral positions with flexible start dates, usually in September.

  • Transparent salary: CHF 72,800 in the first year, CHF 78,000 in the second year, and CHF 83,200 in the third year. The advancements are automatic. The positions are remunerated according to a rate 5 doctoral position at 100% level.
  • Co-mentorship by two excellent PIs of different fields
  • Training and continuing education activities
  • Services and offerings to support work and family life  

Requirements

  • you are expected to have completed or be close to completing a Master’s degree in computer science, machine learning, statistics, physics, engineering, applied mathematics, or other relevant fields or are close to completion.
  • you have an excellent track record and must meet the general admission requirements for a doctorate at ETH Zurich (available at https://www.ethz.ch/en/doctorate.html).
  • your level of English allows you to discuss your topics with your colleagues and report your findings in writing.
  • you look forward to working with an interdisciplinary team that longs to find solutions together.

Applications are encouraged from candidates with a keen interest in doing research on interdisciplinary AI topics. Each recipient of an ETH AI Center Fellowship will have the opportunity from two mentors from different fields and often different departments that are envisaged to carry equal weights in supervision. In the application form, candidates can provide preferences for specific mentors and also have to select interest areas in AI foundations and application areas to get a better understanding of a potential research direction.

Candidates select interest areas in AI foundations (AI theory, foundations, methods, and systems) including but not limited to:

  • Mathematical or statistical foundations of ML, AI, and Data Science
  • Interpretability and Explainability
  • Safety, Reliability, and Robustness
  • Fairness & Bias of AI Systems
  • Computer Vision
  • Natural Language Understanding
  • Reinforcement Learning and Data-driven Control
  • Neuroscientific Foundations
  • AI Edge and Networked Computing
  • Privacy-Preserving AI Systems
  • AI System Design & Engineering
  • Human Computer Interaction

In addition they select interested  AI application areas including but not limited to: 

  • AI for Healthcare & Medical
  • AI for Social Good
  • AI in Architecture and Construction
  • AI in Education
  • AI in Environment & Sustainability
  • AI in Finance & Economics
  • AI in Industrial & Manufacturing
  • AI in Science & Engineering
  • Augmented Reality & Human-Centered AI
  • Computational Biology
  • Computational Social Science
  • Future of Work, Ethics, Social, and Policy Implications
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration on Foundations of Data Science
  • Robotics & Autonomous Systems
  • Smart Cities & Mobility
  • Space Research and Exploration

Guidelines & Process

Before applying, please read carefully our Download official guidelines for the ETH AI Center Doctoral Fellowship (PDF, 97 KB)  and visit our FAQs . Applications for the 2025 doctoral fellowship cohort are open until 19 November 2024. Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

More detailed information on the application process can be found on the guidelines page  which also contains a list of the faculty member and their research interests.

Applications for ETH AI Center Doctoral Fellowship are now closed. 

Reference letters can still be submitted by november 26th 23:59 cet..

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Department of Computer Science

Doctoral study programme.

Prof. Joachim Buhmann

The Computer Science Department’s goal is to educate students to become mature researchers and future leaders in the field of computer science. Doctoral students are part of a body of bright, talented and highly motivated scientists collaborating in research groups. Admission is highly competitive due to a large number of candidates and very few openings. The rewarding work experience is complemented by a competitive salary that comfortably covers the living expenses in Switzerland. Typically, the completion of a doctoral degree takes 4-5 years.

Helpful information

  • chevron_right Doctorate at ETH Zurich
  • chevron_right New international students
  • chevron_right General information about entering Switzerland
  • chevron_right Doctoral student and visa situation
  • Download vertical_align_bottom Guide for the doctorate  (PDF, 2.2 MB)
  • chevron_right Forms and documents
  • chevron_right Course catalogue
  • Phone phone +41 44 633 42 23

ETH Zurich Department of Computer Science Universitätstrasse 6 CAB H 37.1 8092 Zurich

Bernadette Gianesi

IMAGES

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COMMENTS

  1. Doctoral Studies – Department of Computer Science | ETH Zurich

    Computer science at ETH Zurich stands for innovative research in an exciting, fast-moving, and diverse field. Located in one of Europe's most attractive cities, ETH offers two doctorate programs geared towards quality education and numerous career opportunities.

  2. Direct Doctorate in Computer Science - ETH Z

    The Direct Doctorate in Computer Science comprises course and research work. It allows exceptionally well-qualified students holding a Bachelor's degree to join the doctorate programme at the Department of Computer Science.

  3. Application and admission – Department of Computer Science ...

    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.

  4. Direct Doctorate Computer Science Study Guide - ETH Zürich

    The direct doctorate programme in computer science is intended for excellent students with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, who are aiming at a career in research.

  5. Doctoral study programmes | ETH Zurich - ETH Zürich

    There are 16 highly competitive doctoral programmes, run jointly by ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. The aim is to attract the most promising young scientists from across the world by offering a comprehensive and challenging education for doctoral students in biosciences.

  6. Direct doctorate programme – Academic Applications | ETH Zurich

    The ETH Zurich direct doctorate programme makes it possible for candidates with outstanding Bachelor’s degrees to progress directly to doctoral studies. The application for the direct doctorate programme is always linked to the associated Master’s degree programme.

  7. Fellowship Programs – ETH AI Center | ETH Zurich

    Our flagship PhD & Post-Doc Program is focused on advancing interdisciplinary AI research. This can be inside the AI foundations or between AI foundations and application areas. The idea is that fellows work with two excellent PIs which carry both equal weights in the supervision.

  8. PhD Programme in Computational Science | Department of ... - UZH

    The PhD programme in Computational Science is a joint initiative of the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, which aims to: Foster sustained interactions between PhD students, faculty and staff Promote exchanges between academia, industry and society enabled by computational science

  9. ETH AI Center Doctoral Fellowships – ETH AI Center | ETH Zurich

    The ETH AI Center Fellowship program is one of Europe’s premier Post- Doc programs focused on advancing interdisciplinary AI research. This can be inside AI foundations or between AI foundations and application areas.

  10. Doctoral Study Programme – Department of Computer Science ...

    The Computer Science Department’s goal is to educate students to become mature researchers and future leaders in the field of computer science. Doctoral students are part of a body of bright, talented and highly motivated scientists collaborating in research groups.