Application

In order to apply for this doctoral program, candidates must have a university degree of master in either medicine, biomedicine, biology or psychology. Further academic qualifications which are compulsory for eligibility as well are listed in the document Doktoratsordnung. All candidates must have good skills in English and German.

Double Matriculation*

Double matriculation in the general doctorate of the Faculty of Medicine (Dr. med.) and in the PhD program Clinical Science is not planned. If, at the time of your application for the PhD program, you are about to graduate as Dr. med., please indicate this in your application. Otherwise, the simultaneous completion of the general doctorate and the PhD program is not intended.
*Applies to future PhD students

Recognition of Healthcare Professions (MEBEKO)

Depending on the specific PhD position, applicants with a Master's degree in Medicine obtained outside of Switzerland require recognition from the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG).

Application Deadline

November 1, 2025

Fees

The registration fees are set by the Student Administration Office of the University of Zurich and also apply to doctoral students. Doctoral students must be enrolled throughout the entire period of study.

Applications must be submitted by using the online application portal of the Life Science Zurich Graduate School exclusively (for the links for Track 1 and Track 2 see at the bottom of the website in the teasers Application, Track 1 Application, Track 2 Application). Applications sent by e-mail or mail will not be accepted.

There are two ways to apply for the Clinical Science doctoral program:

Track 1: Applicants without a PhD position have to apply via track 1. Within the doctoral program, PhD positions will be advertised competitively in each application round. Open positions will be published on www.jobs.uzh.ch in spring/autumn. All applications received via track 1 will be checked for their suitability for the open positions. In an interview, the admissions commission examines the admission to the doctoral program. The person who has an open PhD position also takes part in the interview.

Track 2: Applicants who already have a supervisor for their PhD-project have to apply via track 2. In an interview, the admissions commission evaluates the qualification and motivation of the candidate. Please do not start your PhD-position before the interview.

Note: Please submit your application for the Clinical Science doctoral program for Track 1 and Track 2 by May 1 and November 1, respectively.

Application for the Doctoral Program Track 1
Application for the Doctoral Program Track 2

Admission

Applications are reviewed by the admissions committee after the application deadline has passed. The status of the application can be checked in the personal Glowbase account. Interviews are conducted in English and partly in German. During the interview, questions about your background, motivation, and career goals related to the PhD program will be asked.