During the PhD

Since January 01, 2020, the employment and supervision processes of doctoral candidates at the University of Basel have been combined into a single process that applies to all doctoral students, regardless of their employment status. The aim of the process is to ensure good, transparent and equal conditions for all doctoral candidates and supervisors during the qualification phase of the doctorate. An overview of the process Employment and Supervision of Doctoral Candidates can be found in the section Agreements and Regulations.

The doctoral candidate and the first supervisor meet at least once a year for a status review meeting in order to discuss the working conditions, the scientific qualification work and research activities as well as professional perspectives and career opportunities. If need be, the doctoral agreement ca be updated or adjusted during this meeting. Together with the department Leadership & Development, the Graduate Center has developed guidelines for conducting review meetings.

Each faculty has its own doctoral study regulations which define the rules and regulations governing doctoral studies. An overview of the different study regulations can be found in the section Agreements and Regulations.

During their doctorate, PhD students attend curriculum-based courses and also have the opportunity to develop their transferable skills. The Transferable Skills course program is specifically addressed to all doctoral candidates and postdocs of the University of Basel. It supports researchers during their qualification phase and prepares them for a professional career inside or outside of academia.

Doctoral candidates have the opportunity to earn credit points for their involvement in academic self-government or student self-organization. The process for obtaining campus credits is regulated in the document University-Wide Guidelines for Earning Campus Credits at the Doctoral Level (in German).

Located at the border triangle of Switzerland, Germany and France, the University of Basel offers junior researchers from all over the world an exceptional and international setting as well as an excellent teaching and research environment. An overview of the mobility programs can be found on the Mobility Webpage of the university and information about mobility funding options is provided by the Career Advancement Office.

Eucor – The European Campus is a cross-border association of five French, German and Swiss universities in the Upper Rhine region which encourages mobility within the region. Transferable Skills courses offered by partner universities of the European Campus are of particular interest to doctoral candidates and postdocs, as they are eligible to participate.

Doctoral candidates at the University of Basel have the possibility to do a double doctoral degree with and a partner institution abroad (Europe and Israel). The formalities for such an agreement are specified in a so-called Cotutelle de thèse. More information and guidelines as well as a description of the process can be found in the section Cotutelle de thèse.

Several questions might come up during the doctorate. At the University of Basel, a number of services exist that support doctoral candidates with information and advice. An overview of the services is provided in the section Advisory Services.

The University of Basel monitors developments relating to artificial intelligence (AI) and its use in teaching and learning. A general ban on its use is not currently planned. Further information, recommendations, and helpful resources and materials are available on the information page.

Doctoral candidates at the University of Basel have various possibilities to familiarize themselves with a new environment, to meet other people and to get involved. Associations, clubs and organizations in particular offer great opportunities to socialize and to make new contacts (also outside the university).

avuba - the assistants’ association of the University of Basel represents the interests of teaching and research assistants (about 2,700 PhD students and 500 postdocs) within and outside the university.