OpenFieldSwiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) MD-PhD Fellowship at USZ
Highly competitive national fellowship for physicians pursuing translational doctoral research in precision oncology, cardiovascular science, or immunology at USZ.
University Hospital Zurich: Oncology, Precision Medicine & Neuroscience Guide
Tracing its foundational roots to 1204, the University Hospital Zurich (Universitätsspital Zürich - USZ) is one of Europe's premier academic medical centers, affiliated directly with the University of Zurich (UZH) and ETH Zurich. Renowned worldwide for pioneering organ transplantation, CAR-T immunotherapy, neurosurgery, and digital health, USZ conducts groundbreaking clinical and translational biomedical research.
Verified degree programs and opportunities
Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (Bioimaging & Clinical Technology)
Joint UZH/ETH Zurich graduate curriculum delivering elite training in ultra-high-field MRI, clinical ultrasound, image-guided robotic surgery, and sensor electronics.
Life Science Zurich Graduate School Salaried PhD in Molecular Oncology
Four-year salaried doctoral research appointment at the Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology investigating resistance mechanisms to CAR-T immunotherapy.
Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Investigation
Cutting-edge translational project mapping tumor heterogeneity, immune checkpoint evasion, and clonal evolutionary trajectories in patient melanoma biopsies.
USZ Department of Neurology & Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship Internship
Six-month clinical neurophysiology fellowship training in high-density EEG, intraoperative neuromonitoring, and deep brain stimulation programming for Parkinson's disease.
USZ Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Translational Neuro-Oncology
Two-to-three year postdoctoral fellowship at the USZ Brain Tumor Center investigating glioblastoma stem cell invasion and oncolytic viral therapies.
University of Zurich & USZ Excellence Postdoctoral Grant in AI Radiology
Research grant developing self-supervised vision models for automated detection of micro-metastases in ultra-low-dose PET-CT and multi-parametric MRI scans.
Admissions, language requirements & application process
- Master's admission eligibility
- Accredited Bachelor of Science in human medicine, biology, biochemistry, or biomedical engineering from an internationally recognized institution.
- Doctoral admission eligibility
- Master's degree (MSc) in natural sciences or medical degree (MD/Staatsexamen); competitive admission through the joint UZH/ETH Life Science Zurich Graduate School (LSZGS).
- Language proficiency
- German proficiency at C1 level required for clinical medical rotations; full English proficiency (C1 / IELTS 7.0+) for laboratory PhD and postdoctoral positions.
- Research statement / Proposal
- Doctoral research synopsis (2,000 words) defining clinical hypothesis, experimental methodology, and prospective USZ clinic/lab host group.
- Application fee
- CHF 100 registration fee for enrollment at University of Zurich / ETH Zurich.
- Required documentation
- Medical diploma / MSc certificate, complete official transcripts, comprehensive CV with publication record, and three letters of academic recommendation.
Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems
Doctoral researchers and MD-PhD candidates are fully salaried under Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) or Canton of Zurich salary scales. Annual PhD stipends range from CHF 48,000 to CHF 55,000; postdoctoral researcher salaries range from CHF 85,000 to CHF 105,000. Matriculation fees at the affiliated University of Zurich are approximately CHF 720 per semester.
Verified faculty profiles and research leaders
Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at University Hospital Zurich:
Prof. Dr. Michael Weller
Chairman, Department of Neurology & Director of Brain Tumor Center · Glioblastoma Immunotherapy, Neuro-Oncology, Angiogenesis Inhibitors, Blood-Brain Barrier Biology
Prof. Dr. Burkhard Becher
Director, Institute of Experimental Immunology & USZ Clinical Neuro-Immunology · Cytokine Signaling, Neuroinflammation, Autoimmune Neuro-Pathology, High-Dimensional Cytometry
Prof. Dr. Gustav von Schulthess
Professor of Nuclear Medicine & PET-CT Pioneer, USZ · Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Molecular Imaging, Hybrid PET-CT/MRI, Targeted Radioligand Therapy
Important verification note
Facts reflect official University Hospital Zurich documentation reviewed 2026-10-15. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.
Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue