Taught vs Research Master’s: Funding, PhD Entry & an 8-Question Checklist
ApplyKite Editorial 3 Nov 2026
Master’s Opportunities in Materials Engineering in Switzerland
No perfect match, but here’s what’s close
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U.S. Department of Energy
Just Landed
United States
.
New Today
Just Landed
The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Environmental Laboratory (EL) is a multidisciplinary research environment focused on environmental science and engineering solutions for the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, and the nation. This research opportunity sits within the Materials and Surface Science Team (MASS), where the selected participant will work on cross-cutting projects that connect computer science and AI/ML with materials science. Under mentor guidance, the parti...
Computer Science
Data Science
Chemistry
+10 more
New Today
Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
Japan
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4 days ago
The Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI) is recruiting one full-time researcher at a researcher/postdoctoral-equivalent or chief-researcher-equivalent level in the Materials Science Research Division of its Energy Transformation Research Headquarters. The project concerns the evaluation and improvement of long-term reliability in high-voltage, high-current power semiconductor devices and power electronics equipment used for power control applications. Research may addre...
Electrical Engineering
Materials Science
Materials Engineering
+6 more
4 days ago
Mahdi Vaezi
Northern Illinois University
United States
.
1 week ago
Mahdi Vaezi at Northern Illinois University is recruiting a fully funded Graduate Research Assistant for the NIU Bioplastics Lab , starting in Spring 2027 . The selected student will enroll in the M.S. in Industrial Management and Engineering Technology in NIU’s Department of Engineering Technology while conducting research in a lab focused on bioplastics , biocomposites , polymers , and sustainable materials . This opportunity is especially relevant for applicants with backgrounds in materials ...
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Materials Science
+7 more
1 week ago
Université de Sherbrooke
Canada
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1 month ago
Funded opportunities are available at Université de Sherbrooke in Canada for Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral candidates working on the ATLAS II research project focused on predictive digital engineering for the lightweighting of recreational vehicles, including snowmobiles. The project combines mechanical engineering , materials science , manufacturing processes , numerical modeling , AI , and digital twins . Research topics include advanced aluminum alloys, alloy characterization, hot forming, ...
Computer Science
Environmental Science
Mechanical Engineering
+9 more
1 month ago
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Popular positions
Université de Fribourg Adolphe Merkle Institute
Switzerland
.
2 weeks ago
Adolphe Merkle Institute (AMI), a pole of the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, is advertising research openings in nanoscience and soft matter. The post includes one PhD position in Polymer Mechanochemistry and two postdoctoral positions in block copolymer self-assembly and soft photonics . PhD project: Polymer Mechanochemistry The AMI Polymer Chemistry and Materials Group (Prof. Christoph Weder and Dr. Linlin Deng) invites applications for a PhD project focused on the design and synthesis...
Chemistry
Materials Science
Polymer Synthesis
+3 more
2 weeks 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
Paul Scherrer Institut
Switzerland
.
3 weeks ago
The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland is advertising a PhD Student in Real-Space Quantum Geometry for the Laboratory for Multiscale Materials Experiments . This project sits at the intersection of physics and materials science , with hands-on work on magnetic thin films , nanolithography , micromagnetic simulations , electron and X-ray imaging , and electronic transport . The successful candidate will grow and pattern magnetic thin films, analyze data, present at international confere...
Electrical Engineering
Materials Science
Solid State Physics
+4 more
3 weeks 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
Professor
University of Toronto
Canada
Research Interests
Polymer Chemistry
Materials Chemistry
Nano Biomaterial Synthesis And Characterization
Sustainable Materials
Conjugated Polymer
Professor at Chalmers University of Technology
Chalmers University of Technology
Sweden
Research Interests
Materials Chemistry
Condensed Matter Physics
Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Additive Manufacturing
Spark Plasma Sintering
Department of Energy Engineering Hanyang University Seoul 04763 South Korea
South Korea
Research Interests
Materials Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Li-ion Battery
Electrochemistry
Energy Storage
Professors you could contact
EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)
Switzerland
Research Interests
Solid Mechanics
Structural Engineering
Adhesive Bonding
Composites Engineering
Composite Material
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
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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.