Resources
PhD at the Biozentrum
Applying, getting started and settling into Basel: the practical answers in one place.
Applying
How to get a PhD position
The Biozentrum is an international research institute with five focal areas: Infection Biology, Growth and Development, Neurobiology, Structural Biology & Biophysics, and Computational and Systems Biology. There are two ways in.
PhD guidelinesIf something goes wrongMoving to BaselUseful links
Apply directly to a group
Contact the group leaders whose research interests you. Their profiles show what each group works on. Open PhD and postdoc positions are also listed on the Biozentrum website.
Apply for a PhD Fellowship
The fellowship, originally founded by the Werner Siemens Foundation and now funded by the Biozentrum, comes with extra budget for conferences, equipment and books. You do lab rotations in your first year and then choose your group, which helps if you’re not yet sure which project to follow.
Guidelines
Rules and paperwork
The Biozentrum’s PhD documents cover registration, doctoral agreements, your PhD Thesis Advisory Committee (PAC), credit points and the PhD defense.
PhD Office
Questions about the guidelines? Angie Klarer at the PhD Office can help.
Support
Facing problems during your PhD?
Start wherever feels right. Simple questions are often answered fastest by other PhD students or by us.
Personal Integrity Office
Confidential advice on conflicts, harassment and discrimination at the university.
Ombudsman Office
An independent place to turn to when a conflict can’t be solved directly.
Human Resources
Employment contracts, conflict management, support programmes and further education.
Newcomers
Moving to Basel
Basel sits right on the French and German borders, with major research institutes, plenty of culture, and the rest of Switzerland a short train ride away.
Do I need my MSc when I apply?
No. You need to have completed your studies and received your MSc degree, or equivalent, by the time you start your PhD at the University of Basel.
Are lectures in English or German?
All teaching is in English, and English is also the standard language in the labs.
What is the salary?
Around CHF 3,500 net per month, according to the standards of the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Are there tuition fees?
Yes, CHF 350 per semester. As a student you get discounts at most public facilities, like museums and swimming pools. Public transport is not included.
Do I need health insurance?
Yes, it’s mandatory for everyone living or working in Switzerland. You can compare insurers on Comparis. You don’t need accident insurance, since the University of Basel covers that as your employer. Liability and household insurance are recommended, and are usually sold together.
Can I get a reduction on my health insurance?
Most likely. PhD students are often eligible for a premium reduction (Prämienverbilligung) from the canton of Basel-Stadt. The benefit is largest if you’re under 25, but it’s worth applying at any age. Details are on the website of the Office of Social Contributions (in German).
Should I live in Switzerland, France or Germany?
All three are possible. In Switzerland, paperwork is simpler, health insurance can be cheaper and your commute is shorter. In France or Germany, living costs are lower, but paperwork is more complicated and the commute takes from about 20 minutes by bike to an hour.
How do I find a flat?
Rent for a single person starts at around CHF 600–700 per month. Good places to look:
How much does living in Basel cost?
Expect at least CHF 1,100–1,300 per month for a single person, including living expenses and health insurance.
Links
Useful links
Official pages from the Biozentrum and the University of Basel.