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Life Science Zurich Graduate School (LSZGS) – Fully Funded PhD Positions

PhD position

8/29/2026

Position type: PhD (Doctoral Researcher)
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Universities: University of Zurich (UZH) & ETH Zurich
Program: Life Science Zurich Graduate School (LSZGS)
Funding: Fully funded (80–100% salaried position; Swiss National Science Foundation salary scale)
Duration: ~4 years
Application deadlines: 1 November (23:59 CET) each year
Language: English (program conducted entirely in English)

Overview

The Life Science Zurich Graduate School (LSZGS) is one of Europe's largest and most prestigious life science doctoral training environments. It is a joint initiative of the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, bringing together 17 highly competitive PhD programs, 500+ research groups, and 1,600+ PhD students from over 60 countries.

LSZGS offers 80–100+ fully funded PhD positions across a wide spectrum of life science disciplines, including biomedicine, cancer biology, neuroscience, molecular life sciences, systems biology, ecology, epidemiology, microbiology, immunology, plant science, RNA biology, and more.

If you are looking for a structured, fully funded PhD in the life sciences in a world-class research hub with strong industry connections (Roche, Novartis, and many biotech startups), LSZGS is an excellent option.

Why LSZGS?

  • Fully funded positions: All PhD positions are salaried according to the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) scale, typically corresponding to a competitive annual salary (often cited around CHF 50,000–60,000+ gross per year, depending on experience and program). Some sources report even higher total compensation packages when including benefits and research budgets.

  • Structured doctoral training: 17 dedicated PhD programs with tailored coursework, skills training (scientific writing, statistics, ethics, communication, career planning), thesis committees, annual reviews, and program-specific retreats.

  • World-class research environment: Access to shared core facilities such as cryo-EM, high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics, biocontainment labs, imaging centers, and more across UZH and ETH.

  • International cohort: Students from 60+ countries, creating a diverse, collaborative, and globally connected research community.

  • Strong career prospects: Zurich is a global hub for pharma, biotech, and life science innovation, with excellent opportunities in academia and industry post-PhD.

Research Areas & PhD Programs

LSZGS encompasses 17 PhD programs spanning the full breadth of modern life sciences. Representative areas include:

  • Biomedicine & Molecular Biology (including structural biology, infection biology, immunology)

  • Cancer Biology

  • Neuroscience

  • Molecular Life Sciences

  • Systems Biology

  • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

  • Epidemiology & Biostatistics

  • Microbiology & Infection Biology

  • Plant Sciences

  • RNA Biology

  • Drug Discovery (specific programs; note some have separate application tracks)

  • And more interdisciplinary programs at the interface of biology, computation, and engineering.

Many groups work at the interface of experimental and computational biology, making LSZGS particularly attractive for candidates with backgrounds in biology, bioinformatics, data science, physics, engineering, or computer science who want to move into life sciences.

Funding & Benefits

All LSZGS PhD positions are fully funded. Key features:

  • Salaried employment: PhD candidates are hired as doctoral researchers on 80–100% contracts, paid according to SNSF or university salary scales.

  • Tuition coverage: Doctoral studies at UZH/ETH have minimal or no tuition fees for PhD students; the position effectively covers all educational costs.

  • Benefits: Typically includes health insurance, pension contributions, paid vacation, and access to university services (sports, libraries, subsidized meals, etc.).

  • Research & travel support: Many groups and programs provide additional budgets for conferences, courses, and research-related travel.

Exact salary and benefits depend on the specific host group and program, but all advertised LSZGS positions are designed to allow you to focus fully on your research without financial stress.

Eligibility

Typical eligibility criteria for LSZGS PhD positions:

  • Master's degree (or expected soon) in a relevant field: life sciences, natural sciences, computer science, engineering, or related disciplines.

  • Strong academic record and evidence of research potential (e.g., thesis work, publications, research internships).

  • Excellent English skills (spoken and written); the program is conducted entirely in English.

  • Motivation for research and ability to work in an international, interdisciplinary environment.

  • Open to national and international students (including non-EU); no citizenship restrictions for most positions.

Some programs may have additional requirements (e.g., specific coursework, lab experience, or quantitative skills), so always check the individual program pages.

Application Process

LSZGS uses a centralized online application portal. The process generally works as follows:

  1. Create an account on the LSZGS application portal (or log in with UZH credentials if you already have them).

  2. Select your preferred PhD program(s) from the 17 LSZGS programs (you can usually indicate multiple choices in order of preference).

  3. Upload required documents, typically including:

    • CV

    • Academic transcripts (Bachelor's and Master's)

    • Motivation letter / statement of purpose

    • Contact information for references (often 2–3 recommendation letters; some programs require letters to be uploaded directly by referees)

    • Proof of English proficiency (if required by your background; many programs accept your academic record and interview as evidence)

  4. Submit before the deadline:

    • 1 November (23:59 CET)

  5. Selection & interviews: Shortlisted candidates are invited for interviews (often virtual), which may include a short research presentation and Q&A with faculty from your chosen program(s).

  6. Project matching: After passing the LSZGS selection, candidates can view available projects within their program and match with specific research groups and supervisors.

Important: Some specialized programs (e.g., Drug Discovery, Biomedical Ethics and Law – Medical Track, MD-PhD Program) do not recruit via the main "Track 1" application and have separate procedures. Always check the specific program page for details.

Application portal:
https://www.lifescience-graduateschool.uzh.ch/en/application
https://join.lszgs.uzh.ch/index.php?id=registration

How "Apply with Mentors" Can Help

At Apply with Mentors, we support candidates through every step of the PhD application journey. For LSZGS and similar large, structured programs, our support typically includes:

  • Program & lab shortlisting: Identifying which of the 17 LSZGS programs and which research groups best match your background and interests (experimental, computational, or hybrid).

  • CV & motivation letter refinement: Tailoring your CV and statement to highlight research experience, technical skills, and fit with LSZGS's interdisciplinary, international environment.

  • Reference strategy: Advising on how to approach referees, what they should emphasize, and how to coordinate timely submission of recommendation letters.

  • Interview preparation: Mock interviews focused on research presentations, technical questions, and program-specific expectations (e.g., explaining your Master's work, discussing potential PhD directions, demonstrating quantitative or experimental skills).

  • Project matching guidance: Once you clear the LSZGS selection, helping you evaluate available projects, supervisors, and labs to make an informed choice.

If you're aiming for a fully funded, structured PhD in the life sciences in Europe, LSZGS is a top-tier option—and we can help you craft a competitive application.

For more personalized tips or templates contact our team.

www.applywithmentors.com