PhD Programme
ZHAW offers graduates with a Master’s degree the opportunity to pursue a doctorate in collaboration with selected universities. During the dissertation, you will work on applied research projects at the ZHAW University of Applied Sciences and be jointly supervised by professors from both institutions.
At the Department of Life Sciences and Facility Management, we work on exciting and innovative research projects that are suitable for dissertations. Doctoral candidates are actively involved in these projects. Suitable doctoral positions are advertised on vacant positions.
Where possible, doctoral training should take place within joint institutional PhD programmes between a university and ZHAW. The partners in these programmes have agreed on joint supervision of doctoral candidates and the awarding of the doctoral degree.
In disciplines without existing joint PhD programme or network, individual agreements can be made between the partner university (in Switzerland or abroad), the doctoral candidate, and ZHAW.
PhD programmes and networks
To promote early-career researchers, LSFM offers joint PhD programmes in collaboration with leading universities. These programmes enable Master’s graduates to pursue a PhD within applied research projects while benefiting from the expertise of both types of universities.
Doctoral candidates are jointly supervised by lecturers from ZHAW and the partner university and are integrated into research networks. The aim is to promote practice-oriented research at the highest scientific level and to develop solutions for future challenges.
Existing PhD programmes
Joint PhD programmes currently exist between Swiss universities and ZHAW Life Sciences and Facility Management in the following areas:
PhD Programme in Data Science
ZHAW participates in the University of Zurich’s PhD programme in Data Science. The topics in this program are broad and explicitly include data-intensive areas within life sciences, such as drug discovery, personalized medicine, omics analyses, and medical imaging.
Further information: Data Science with the University of Zurich
Biomedical Science and Health Innovations with ETH Zurich
Since 2025, a joint PhD programme between ZHAW and ETH Zurich is offered in Biomedical Science and Health Innovations. The goal of the programme is to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions, promote applied research in biomedical sciences and health innovation, and provide excellent ZHAW Master’s students with the opportunity to pursue a doctorate at ETH.
Biomedical science and health innovation encompass interdisciplinary research related to human health, disease, and treatment methods. This includes the study of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and epidemiology of diseases and impairments of the human body, as well as mental systems.
Further information: Biomedical Science and Health Innovations with ETH Zurich
The joint PhD programmes are open to students with a Master’s degree from a university or a university of applied sciences. Admission to the partner university requires fulfilling the respective criteria and completing the processes of the relevant faculty.
Choosing the right university and identifying a suitable supervisory committee are among the major challenges. The range of joint PhD programmes between ZHAW and universities will be gradually expanded.
Important Information
The Department of Life Sciences and Facility Management primarily supports dissertation projects aligned with its research priorities.
- PhD opportunities are published on the ZHAW website under «Vacancies at ZHAW».
- The dissertation is usually embedded in a larger research project (e.g. Innosuisse, Swiss National Science Foundation, Horizon Europe, or third-party funded projects).
- Doctoral candidates are enrolled in the regular PhD program at the partner university and must complete its admission process (application).
- The dissertation topic is agreed upon directly between the doctoral candidate and the supervising lecturers from the university and the university of applied sciences.
- The doctoral degree is awarded by the university; therefore, its regulations apply.
- Doctoral candidates are expected to demonstrate a high level of independence and self-motivation, strong commitment, and active exchange with colleages in institutes and research groups.
Get in touch
A dissertation project requires careful planning and preparation, both professionally and personally. We would be happy to offer you a consultation: forschung.lsfm@zhaw.ch.