Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
PROGRAMME
– Could you give me some additional information about the doctoral programme?
The Doctoral Program of the Institute of Landscape and Urban Studies (LUS) at the Department of Architecture, ETH Zurich has run since October 2019. One to two scholarships are awarded each year.
The program’s focus is on the students’ independent thesis research. There are no preset research lines to be followed. The written doctoral thesis should be handed in at the end of the residency. The degree earned is: Dr. sc. ETH Zürich.
All members of the doctoral program committee (i.e., all professors at the LUS Institute) will co-supervise the students’ individual research in graduate colloquia, methods seminars and similar formats. One principal supervisor will be assigned before the end of the first year (see section Application Procedure).
You will be conducting original doctoral research on an individually determined topic within the disciplines of landscape and urban studies. The fellowship places no restriction on the geography or time period of the proposed research project. You are expected to devote a small part of your time to community-building activities at the LUS doctoral school (e.g., LUS Talks).
– How competitive is the fellowship?
The LUS Doctoral Fellowship is highly competitive. The program typically receives more than 300 applications, from which only a very small number of candidates are selected, resulting in an acceptance rate below 1%.
ELIGIBILITY
– I’ve graduated from university XYZ. Does my degree allow me to apply for a doctoral position at ETH?
As a prerequisite to start a doctorate, ETH Zurich demands a diploma or Master’s degree of a minimum of 270 ECTS (https://www.ethz.ch/en/doctorate/registration-admission.html – “Admission”; contact: Mr. Picariello Alfredo, alfredo.picariello@akd.ethz.ch.)
– I’ve already obtained a doctorate from university XYZ. Am I still eligible to apply for a doctoral position at ETH?
The program is aimed at those wishing to obtain a doctorate and therefore does not support people who have already obtained a PhD elsewhere. We would recommend you consider research positions at postdoctoral level.
FEES
– What are the fees for the doctoral course?
The programme is offered through a limited number of competitive fellowships, for which the tuition fees will have been waived.
For other financial considerations, please consult the ETH webpage: https://ethz.ch/en/doctorate/financial.html.
LANGUAGE
– In which language is supervision available and in which language are courses taught?
Courses at ETH are taught in English or German, and doctoral seminars are usually held in English. Supervision for doctoral students is generally available in English and/or German (and possibly other languages such as French or Italian, depending on the professors involved).
– Do I need to present a language certificate?
No, a language certificate is not required. However, we expect successful candidates to be able to follow – and participate in – discussions held in English, and we strongly suggest to learn German during your stay at ETH. You should have excellent competence in the language that you choose for writing your thesis.
– Should I apply in English or German?
Applications in English are encouraged.
EMPLOYMENT
– What are the terms of employment?
100% doctoral employment at the ETH standard rate, with an expected term of three and a half years to completion, pending successful approval of the doctoral plan at the end of year one.
100% is the standard employment of doctoral students at ETH. The salary should be high enough to fully support you for the time of employment.
– May I extend my fellowship beyond three-and-a-half years?
No, LUS Institute is not able to cover fellowships beyond three and a half years. You may extend this period only if you secure external funding or have an agreement with your supervisor to extend it via their Chair.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE
– What is the exact deadline for applications?
We will announce the new deadline on this website before the end of the year. Please visit the website again around mid-December.
– May I arrange a meeting with one of the professors at LUS Institute prior to the submission deadline?
Please understand that, for reasons of equal opportunity among all the candidates, we cannot discuss individual projects or conduct personal interviews before our application deadline.
– Do I have to name a supervisor/tutor in my application?
No. Even though every doctoral candidate will be assigned to one principal thesis supervisor at the end of the first year, you don’t need to choose your supervisor prior to applying. All professors of the LUS will be involved in the selection process and will participate in doctoral colloquia and thus offer supervision.
Information about the professors and current research projects at LUS is available on our respective websites: https://lus.arch.ethz.ch/people/
– How do I apply?
You may apply via this link.
– Do I have to pay a fee for applying?
There is no application fee.
– I am confused. The department website lists finding a supervisor as a prerequisite for application (https://arch.ethz.ch/en/doktorat.html). Which is right?
There are two different paths into the PhD: one general at the level of the entire Department of Architecture, the other specific to the LUS Institute Fellowship Program advertised here. The LUS Fellowship is by application only, it has a separate budget and rules of entry. Therefore, for this call, you do not need to select or find a supervisor, and should not have prior contacts with potential supervisors.
– May I take a doctoral position of less that 100% and thus prolong the LUS fellowship accordingly? May I work part-time?
The LUS doctoral fellowships are only given as 100% positions.
– Can I start a LUS doctoral fellowship and reside elsewhere, with occasional travels to ETH?
As ETH employees on 100% positions, doctoral students are required to reside in Switzerland. Nevertheless, doctoral mobility is encouraged. From the second year onwards, periods of more prolonged absence for academic transfers, archival or fieldwork travel are fully expected and may be agreed with supervisors.