Doctorate
Thanks to its international focus, the Department of Mathematics offers doctoral students the best possible start to a career in academic or industrial research. A doctorate usually takes between three and five years.
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 environment
Doctoral students work as scientific assistants and are employed for up to six years. They attend the external pageZurich Graduate School in Mathematics.
The benefits are:
- internationally highly respected professors
- research funded by the external pageSwiss National Science Foundation
- offices in the ETH Zurich Main Building
- access to the Mathematics Library and the ETH Library, access to online publications
- conferences organised 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
- organising 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:
- wide variety of high-level lectures, minicourses and student seminars: see ETH Zurich Course Catalogue or external pagegraduate courses offered by the Zurich Graduate School in Mathematics
- Reseach seminars organised 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
Life in Zurich
- largest city in Switzerland with a top ranking for quality of life
- charming medieval old town very close to the ETH Main Building and the Department
- fantastic 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
Further activities
- The external pageZurich Graduate School of Mathematics (ZGSM) organises language courses and social events such as barbecues and fondue dinners.
- The Association of Scientific Staff at ETH (AVETH) and the Association of Academic Staff at the D-MATH (VMM) represent the interests of doctoral students and organise events.
- The external pageAcademic Sports Association Zurich (ASVZ) offers a wide range of sports that fulfil every wish.