Taught vs Research Master’s: Funding, PhD Entry & an 8-Question Checklist
ApplyKite Editorial 3 Nov 2026
PhD, Master’s & Postdoc Opportunities in Synthetic Biology in Switzerland
Positions in synthetic biology in switzerland
6 positions foundnewest posted
Universities with open positions in synthetic biology in Switzerland include University of Bern, ETH Zurich and Empa.
University of Bern
Switzerland
.
1 week ago
PhD position in Bottom-up Bioenergetics and Cell Metabolism at the University of Bern This PhD project sits at the interface of synthetic biology, biochemistry, bioenergetics, cell metabolism, membrane proteins, enzymology, and quantitative modelling . The work focuses on building cell-like systems from defined molecular components, with an emphasis on ATP and NAD(P)H regeneration, coupling energy modules to metabolic and biosynthetic pathways, and creating increasingly cell-like compartments in...
Biochemistry
Biology
Microscopy
+5 more
1 week ago
Martin Fussenegger
ETH Zurich
Switzerland
.
4 weeks ago
Postdoctoral Position for Synthetic Biology-Inspired Therapies at ETH Zurich (Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, D-BSSE), Basel, Switzerland. The Biotechnology and Bioengineering group led by Prof. Martin Fussenegger invites exceptional candidates to apply for a postdoctoral position in pioneering projects developing synthetic biology-inspired human therapies. The research sits at the intersection of biology, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, molecular engineering, cel...
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Biology
+6 more
4 weeks ago
Empa
Switzerland
.
1 month ago
PhD Position in Bacteria and Materials Interactions for Antimicrobial Biomaterials and Phage Therapy
Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) is advertising a PhD position in Bacteria & Materials Interactions at its Biointerfaces Laboratory in St. Gallen, Switzerland . The project sits at the intersection of biomaterials , microbiology , antimicrobial resistance , bacteriophage therapy , and tissue regeneration . The successful candidate will help develop injectable, self-healing hydrogel systems for local delivery of probiotics and bacteriophages to wound sites, w...
Chemistry
Microbiology
Biomedical Engineering
+8 more
1 month ago
Martin Fussenegger
ETH Zurich
Switzerland
.
1 month ago
Doctoral Position in Advanced Bioelectronic & Electrical Conversion Research at ETH Zurich (Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Basel, Switzerland). The Biotechnology and Bioengineering group led by Prof. Dr. Martin Fussenegger invites applications for a PhD position focused on the intersection of synthetic biology , nanotechnology , bioelectronics , electrical engineering , and bioelectronic medicine . The project aims to engineer programmable human cells that respond to electrica...
Computer Science
Chemistry
Biomedical Engineering
+8 more
1 month ago
ETH Zurich
Switzerland
.
1 month ago
Postdoctoral Position in Advanced Bioelectronic & Electrical Conversion Research at ETH Zurich (Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, D-BSSE), Basel, Switzerland. The Biotechnology and Bioengineering group led by Prof. Martin Fussenegger invites applications for a postdoc focused on the intersection of synthetic biology , nanotechnology , bioelectronics , electrochemistry , materials chemistry , and electrical engineering . The research aims to develop bioelectronic interfaces for cl...
Computer Science
Chemistry
Biomedical Engineering
+8 more
1 month ago
ETH Zurich
Switzerland
.
1 month ago
Doctoral Position for Synthetic Biology-Inspired Therapies at the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland. The Biotechnology and Bioengineering group led by Prof. Dr. Martin Fussenegger invites exceptional candidates to apply for a PhD position in pioneering projects developing synthetic biology-inspired human therapies. The research sits at the intersection of synthetic biology, biology, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, and medical ...
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Materials Science
+7 more
1 month ago
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Popular positions
ETH Zurich
Switzerland
.
1 month ago
Doctoral Position for Synthetic Biology-Inspired Therapies at the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland. The Biotechnology and Bioengineering group led by Prof. Dr. Martin Fussenegger invites exceptional candidates to apply for a PhD position in pioneering projects developing synthetic biology-inspired human therapies. The research sits at the intersection of synthetic biology, biology, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, and medical ...
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Materials Science
+7 more
1 month ago
University of Basel
Switzerland
.
1 month ago
The Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) at the University of Basel is inviting applications for 6 fully funded PhD positions in the SNI Nanoscience PhD program. These projects span a broad nanoscience portfolio, including quantum physics , chemistry , materials science , nanotechnology , biochemistry , cell biology , and nanomedicine . Example topics include circuit quantum electrodynamics in atomically thin nanoelectronic devices, nano photonics with fibre cavities, nanopore detection of nanoclus...
Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Chemistry
+10 more
1 month ago
Empa
Switzerland
.
1 month ago
PhD Position in Bacteria and Materials Interactions for Antimicrobial Biomaterials and Phage Therapy
Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) is advertising a PhD position in Bacteria & Materials Interactions at its Biointerfaces Laboratory in St. Gallen, Switzerland . The project sits at the intersection of biomaterials , microbiology , antimicrobial resistance , bacteriophage therapy , and tissue regeneration . The successful candidate will help develop injectable, self-healing hydrogel systems for local delivery of probiotics and bacteriophages to wound sites, w...
Chemistry
Microbiology
Biomedical Engineering
+8 more
1 month ago
Living costs in Switzerland
Estimated costs in Switzerland.
MonthlyYearly | Switzerland |
|---|---|
 Visa & Immigration Fees Student visa and residence permit fees per year | CHF132 $150/yr |
 Utilities & Connectivity Electricity, water, internet, and mobile per year | CHF845 $960/yr |
 Personal Care Toiletries, haircuts, and personal items per year | CHF845 $960/yr |
 Housing Shared flats and off-campus rentals per year | CHF9.5k $10,800/yr |
Estimates based on university averages and Numbeo
Popular professors
Assistant Professor
University of California, Berkeley
United States
Research Interests
Cell Biology
Medical Imaging
Epigenetic
Genome Editing
Cell Reprogramming
Lecturer/Assistant Professor
Dublin City University
Ireland
Research Interests
Cell Biology
Developmental Neuroscience
Histone Biology
Epigenetic
Transcriptional Regulation
Has grant
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability Technical University of Denmark Kongens Ly
Denmark
Research Interests
Biochemical Engineering
Biochemistry
Microbial Biotechnology
Protein Engineering
Metabolic Biology
Professors you could contact
Associate Professor
University of Lausanne
Switzerland
Research Interests
Microbiology
Cell Biology
Genome Engineering
Synthetic Biology
Quorum Sensing
Professor of Microbiology
Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
Switzerland
Research Interests
Microbiology
Immunology
Mucosal Biology
Bacterial Physiology
Host-pathogen Interaction
Full Professor
University of Basel
Switzerland
Research Interests
Biochemical Engineering
Biochemistry
Biocatalysis
Metalloenzyme
Chemical Biology
Scholarships relevant to you
EPFL Excellence Fellowships
Partially Funded
École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)SwitzerlandAnnual
SwitzerlandAnnualEPFL Excellence Fellowships are merit-based awards for outstanding students applying to selected master's programmes at EPFL in Switzerland.
Master
ETH Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme
Fully Funded
ETH ZurichSwitzerlandCloses Usually in December
SwitzerlandCloses Usually in DecemberThe ETH Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme supports outstanding students applying for a Master's degree at ETH Zurich with funding and mentoring.
Master
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
Fully Funded
Swiss ConfederationSwitzerlandCloses Usually between autumn and early winter, depending on country
SwitzerlandCloses Usually between autumn and early winter, depending on countryFully funded Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships support international researchers and some arts students for research, PhD, postdoctoral, and selected arts master's study in Switzerland.
Master
PhD
PostDoc
Explore other paths
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Quick
Questions
Do I need to contact a supervisor before applying for a PhD position?
In many European and Asian universities yes; in some US programs applications are centralized but supervisor contact still helps.
Is GRE required for master’s or PhD applications abroad?
It depends on the country and university — many programs have made GRE optional, especially outside the US.
Do funded PhD positions usually cover tuition and living expenses?
Yes. Most funded PhD roles include tuition coverage plus a monthly stipend, but details vary by country and lab.
Are publications required to apply for PhD or postdoc positions?
Not always required for PhD, but strongly recommended. For postdoc roles, publications are usually expected.
Will I need to pay a tuition deposit for master’s admission?
In many countries yes — especially for taught master’s programs — but funded PhD positions typically do not require deposits.