phd mathematics zurich

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Department of Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics offers a broad spectrum of research areas for doctoral students ranging from pure mathematics, such as algebra, analysis, geometry, number theory or probability, to more applied mathematics, such as insurance mathematics, finance, mathematical physics, numerical analysis, operations research and statistics ( Research ).

Owing to its excellent international reputation, the Department of Mathematics provides the best possible start for a career in academic or industrial research. A doctoral degree generally takes from three to five years to complete.

Research environment

Doctoral students work as scientific assistants and are employed for up to six years. They attend the external page Zurich Graduate School in Mathematics. call_made

The benefits are:

• internationally highly respected professors
• research funded by the external page Swiss National Science Foundation call_made
• offices in the ETH Zurich Main Building
• access to of the Mathematics Library and the ETH Library , including online access to practically all recent publications
• conferences organized by the Forschungsinstitut für Mathematik to support the scientific exchange of ideas

Teaching activities

Passing on knowledge to future mathematicians, other scientists and engineers is a key part of doing doctoral studies at ETH Zurich.

The teaching workload depends on the doctoral student's salary level. Teaching generally comprises:

• teaching exercise classes
• organizing exercises for a lecture
• assisting in student seminars
• interacting with the lecturer and/or teaching assistants (undergraduate students)
• providing assistance for lectures ranging from basic mathematics for biologists to advanced lectures for mathematicians
• coordinating and correcting exams

Additional courses

Research lives from acquiring knowledge about current theory and discussing it with experts. During the regular doctoral studies, at least 12 ECTS credits must be acquired to cover the following objectives:

• Deepening of knowledge in the research field of the doctoral thesis and expansion of knowledge beyond the original discipline
• Acquisition of transferable skills
• Integration into the scientific community  

Courses and seminars:

• There is a wide variety of high-level lectures, minicourses and student seminars (see ETH Zurich Course Catalogue or external page graduate courses call_made offered by the Zurich Graduate School in Mathematics)
• Reseach seminars organized by professors and research groups where experts from different mathematical fields give talks and exchange their knowledge
• The FIM - Institute for Mathematical Research and the Institute for Theoretical Studies invite academic guests for scientific exchange
• Mathematics Library holds 20,000 classical and recent books from all areas of mathematics

Life in Zurich

There is always a life outside work and studies, and Zurich is the best place to live it.

• largest city in Switzerland with a top ranking for quality of life
• charming medieval old town very close to the ETH Zurich Main Building and the Department of Mathematics
• fantastic for water activities, winter sports or hiking because of the lake and the Alps within close proximity
• variety of cultural events and night life, very cosmopolitan  

The Graduate School and ETH Zurich provides:

• language courses and social events such as barbecues and cheese fondues organized by the external page Zurich Graduate School of Mathematics call_made
• a huge variety of student associations you can join (see Verband der Studierenden an der ETH (VSETH) (German) )
• sports facilities and activities offered by the external page Academic Sports Association Zurich (ASVZ) call_made

Further information

• chevron_right ETH Zurich - Doctorate
• chevron_right Student portal – Doctorate
• chevron_right Welcome Center
• chevron_right AVETH Survival Guide
• protected page lock Help@D-MATH

Skills and career

• external page call_made German courses (Graduate School)
• external page call_made Language center
• chevron_right Continuing education in university teaching

Legal matters

• chevron_right Ordinance on Doctoral Studies at ETH Zurich
• chevron_right Rector’s Implementation Provisions for the Ordinance on Doctoral Studies 2021

Associations

• protected page lock Verein des akademischen Mittelbaus am D-MATH VMM
• chevron_right Math • Phys Alumni

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Mathematics

(doctoral program), degree program: doctorate faculty of science.

General description Admission requirements ECTS credits Degree Language of instruction

General description

The international PhD program Mathematics der Zurich Graduate School in Mathematics (ZGSM) is organized jointly by the Institute of Mathematics (UZH) and the Department of Mathematics (ETHZ). The essential part of the program is the independent scientific research of the PhD student and the writing of the thesis on his / her research. On a regular basis, the PhD student meets with his advisor and at least once a year with his / her doctoral committee to discuss the progress of the dissertation. The program includes a curricular part of at least 12 ECTS credits. Each PhD student is free of choosing courses from the course program of the ZGSM. The advisor can also award ECTS credits for a Doctoral Studies Course which includes activities such as articipating at a summer school. Moreover, as part of their doctoral studies, PhD students teach an average of 50 hours per semester, including teaching recitation classes or proctoring exams.

Admission requirements

Admission to doctoral study is governed by the ordinance on admission to studies at the University of Zurich (Verordnung über die Zulassung an der Universität Zürich VZS). The main requirement for admission to doctoral study is a Master's degree from a university or an equivalent degree. Each PhD project must receive approval from a professor at the Faculty of Science or from a person who has the right to confer a PhD at the Faculty of Science. There is no general right to be granted admission to a PhD program. Admission may be made contingent on conditions and/or restrictions in the form of additional coursework. Conditions must be met prior to admission to doctoral study; restrictions may be fulfilled during doctoral study. Coursework required to meet conditions and/or restrictions may not exceed a total of 60 ECTS credits; requirements are specified according to the demands of the subject in which the PhD thesis will be written. The Vice Dean of Studies decides on admission, on recognition of similar degrees, and on conditions and/or additional requirements that may apply. As a rule, the language of instruction in the PhD programs is English. All applicants whose native language is not English, or whose prior studies have not been conducted in English, are required to provide proof of sufficient knowledge of English.

ECTS credits

12 ECTS Credits

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Language of instruction

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Institute of Mathematics

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8. bis 12. April 2024

Portrait Videos of Mathematicians at UZH

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22.7 - 26.7.2024 Current Topics in Mathematical Physics

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Institute of Mathematics University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH-8057 Zurich Phone: +41 44 635 58 61 Fax: +41 44 635 57 06 E-Mail: [email protected]

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How to apply:  The application form (see below) has to be submitted prior to submitting supporting documents. Fields with an * are mandatory for the application to be considered. After having submitted the application electronically the applicant will automatically receive an e-mail with an address to which he/she can upload electronic files (pdf files) of supporting documents, such as transcripts and degree certificates. 

Required degrees:   Master degree in mathematics equivalent to either a Master degree of ETH Zurich or University of Zurich. The degree has to be obtained before the time of enrollment.  

Required documents:   Electronic versions of transcripts and degree certificate. The degree certificate has to be handed in at the time of enrollment at the latest. The documents have to be in English or German and have to be submitted as pdf files. 

Recommendations:   The applicant has to provide contact data (including e-mail addresses) of three individuals from academia who agree to write a letter of recommendation on his/her behalf. They will be contacted by ZGSM directly.

Further information on the admission process can be found under the header 'Admission/Enrollment'.

Next deadline: December 05, 2024

© 2023 ZGSM May 15, 2023 Contact:   [email protected]

• Graduate Program
• Application & Admission
• Online Application
• Admission & Enrollment
• FAQs (Application & Admission)
• Forms & Regulations
• German Language Program
• Useful Links
• Archive & Gallery

Polyterrasse ETH Zurich

Selection process: Within a period of four to six weeks after the deadline of the current application period, successful applicants will be informed if they have been selected for an on site assessment.

Assessment: Applicants are asked to give a talk of 30-40 minutes about their master thesis or equivalent. The talk is followed by a question and answer session related to the talk, and an interview. The assessment is conducted by the potential advisors and at least one member of the admission committee.

Offer: In case of a successful assessment applicants will be offered a doctoral position with a designated advisor. The doctoral position involves mandatory tutorial duties. The offer might be conditional on additional successful course work.

Upon acceptance of our offer, applicants are asked to enroll either at ETH or UZH depending on the affiliation of the designated advisor. In due time applicants will be informed about the necessary documents needed for the immigration office. Applicants can only start with their doctoral studies if they are officially enrolled at ETH/UZH and have obtained the necessary immigration documents.

See the header ' Regulations ' for details.

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