Taught vs Research Master’s: Funding, PhD Entry & an 8-Question Checklist
ApplyKite Editorial 3 Nov 2026
PhD Opportunities in Structural Engineering in Switzerland
Phd Positions in structural engineering in switzerland
5 positions foundnewest posted
Universities with open PhD positions in structural engineering in Switzerland include École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, ETH Zurich and ETH Zürich.
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Switzerland
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1 week ago
PhD opportunity at EPFL in aerodynamic design of small-scale turbomachinery This is a full-time PhD position at EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne), based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, within the TurboImpact project funded by Horizon Europe – MSCA Doctoral Network . The project brings together 14 doctoral candidates working on complementary topics in small-scale turbomachinery for applications such as heat pumps, fuel cells, organic Rankine cycles, and gas turbines. The selected doctora...
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science
+8 more
1 week ago
ETH Zurich
Switzerland
.
3 weeks ago
ETH Zurich is offering two paid, full-time doctoral fellowships in Architecture and Technology through the A&T Doctoral Programme . The programme is interdisciplinary and sits within the Institute of Technology in Architecture (ITA), bringing together architecture, engineering, computation, digital fabrication, robotic construction, building systems, structural design, and related research areas. Successful applicants will join one of the participating professorships, such as Architecture and Di...
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science
+5 more
3 weeks ago
Eleni Chatzi
ETH Zürich
Switzerland
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1 month ago
✨ A PhD opportunity is available at the interface of advanced structural mechanics , computational modelling , and experimental research . The doctoral project is titled “Multi-scale Modelling and Experimental Assessment of Volumetrically Prestressed Concrete” and is based at Empa in Dübendorf within the EU Horizon Europe project SURPASS . The thesis will be carried out under the supervision of Eleni Chatzi at ETH Zürich , in close collaboration with Prof. Moslem Shahverdi and Dr. Saim Raza at E...
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science
+7 more
1 month ago
Empa
Switzerland
.
1 month ago
Empa and ETH Zürich are advertising a fully funded PhD position in the SURPASS EU Horizon Europe project, focused on multi-scale modelling and experimental assessment of volumetrically prestressed concrete . The research combines finite element modelling (FEM) , large-scale experimental testing , shape memory alloys , and 3D concrete printing to advance sustainable infrastructure . The position is based in Dübendorf / Zurich, Switzerland and runs for 48 months . Supervision is listed under Prof....
Environmental Science
Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science
+6 more
1 month ago
Empa
Switzerland
.
1 month ago
Empa in Switzerland is advertising a fully funded PhD position in multi-scale modelling and experimental assessment of volumetrically prestressed concrete . The project is part of the EU Horizon research and innovation initiative SURPASS (Smart and Sustainable Resilient Performance-based Cementitious Composites for Adaptive Strengthening and Repair System), which focuses on adaptive strengthening and repair strategies for ageing infrastructure in aggressive environments. The PhD will work on str...
Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science
Civil Engineering
+1 more
1 month ago
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Popular positions
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
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
ETH Zurich is advertising a doctoral position on cognitive and moral heuristics in lay people’s reactions to climate change adaptation . The project sits at the intersection of psychology , environmental science , social sciences , and climate change adaptation , with a focus on how mental shortcuts shape risk perception, moral considerations, private adaptation behavior, and public support for technologies and regulations. The doctoral thesis aims to generate insights into how cognitive heurist...
Environmental Science
Sociology
Psychology
+4 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
Full Professor of Construction and Architecture
Ecole Polytechnique Federale (EPFL)
Switzerland
Research Interests
Construction Management
Structural Engineering
Building Construction
Building Physics
Architecture
Professor at ETH Zürich
ETH Zürich
Switzerland
Research Interests
Tissue Engineering
Solid Mechanics
Mobile Robotics
Soft Robotics
Biomaterial
Professor of Environmental Geophysics
University of Lausanne
Switzerland
Research Interests
Geophysics
Seismology
Waveform Inversion
Data Inversion
Ion Transport
Professors you could contact
Professor at ETH Zürich
ETH Zürich
Switzerland
Research Interests
Solid Mechanics
Structural Engineering
Construction Materials Engineering
Civil Engineering
Composites Engineering
Professor
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Switzerland
Research Interests
Structural Engineering
Solid Mechanics
Construction Materials Engineering
Civil Engineering
Building Science
adj. Professor
EPFL
Switzerland
Research Interests
Solid Mechanics
Structural Engineering
Adhesive Bonding
Composites Engineering
Applied Mechanics
Scholarships relevant to you
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
Globethics Emerging Leaders in Ethical AI Governance Fellowship
Varies
GlobethicsSwitzerland
SwitzerlandAn international fellowship by Globethics for early-career professionals interested in ethical AI governance, leadership, and policy. It is based in Switzerland and welcomes applicants from academia, government, civil society, and the private sector.
Bachelor
Master
PhD
+3 moreExplore 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.