FAQs

How do I apply to do my PhD in CLS?

CLS offers PhD fellowships with an application cycle once a year. The application phase usually opens in September for applicants interested to start their PhD in the following calendar year. Read more under PhD Program/How to Apply.

PhD fellowships application

Can I apply to CLS in parallel to other doctoral programs?

The CLS PhD recruitment has a similar process and timeline to other programs in our ecosystem, such as ELLIS, IMPRS-IS and the ETH AI Center. Each program offers a different doctoral experience, and assesses applications independently. If you are interested in other programs, feel free to apply in parallel.

How strict is the reference submission deadline?

The reference submission deadline is strict: references must be submitted before the application deadline. Therefore, please contact your referee in plenty of time. Late references will not be accepted, and the link to the referee form will expire immediately after the deadline. Only complete and fully submitted applications will be evaluated. In case one of your chosen referees cannot submit the reference in time, feel free to forward the link to an alternative qualified person.

Referees reference deadline

My thesis project is supervised by a PhD student, can they supply a reference?

No, we do not accept references from PhD students, since they do not have the experience to compare you to others at your career stage. Usually your thesis project is officially supervised and examined by a University Professor and this person is the one to ask. Such people are routinely asked for recommendations and typically have a work flow in their group or department for doing this, even if they do not see you day to day. Be sure to make the request in plenty of time.

Referees reference

I have a Bachelor but no Masters degree, can I apply to the CLS doctoral program?

If you are registered on a Masters program and expect to obtain the degree by October in the year after application - yes, you may apply. If you do not hold or expect to hold a Masters degree, unfortunately no, you are not eligible. ETH Zurich, where our CLS students register as PhD candidates, requires a Master’s level qualification for entry to a doctoral degree. There are routes to join ETH Zurich for a PhD with Bachelor entry (see for example the Direct Doctorate in Computer Science: https://inf.ethz.ch/doctorate/direct-doctorate-computer-science.html), but this route is not compatible with the CLS doctoral program.

PhD qualification

I am applying to CLS for a PhD. Why can't I find my preferred advisor on the application form?

Members of CLS faculty may decide not to participate in a particular recruitment round, e.g. because of an upcoming sabbatical, other leave of absence, or lack of capacity. In this case their name is not included in the pull-down list of advisors on the application form. Only advisors available in the current recruitment are included. During the application phase, recruiting faculty are highlighted here: https://learning-systems.org/members

PhD

I want to apply to the CLS PhD program. Should I first contact the professors I am interested in working with?

It is not necessary to contact our faculty members before applying. After the closing date for applications, all complete applications will be thoroughly reviewed. The relevant professors and group leaders will see your application at that stage. Of course, if you have a specific question about the research interests of a faculty member, you should feel free to contact them about this.

PhD program faculty

How are PhD applicants matched with advisors?

The advisor choice stated on the application form guides which faculty initially evaluate the application. During the interviews, invited candidates will meet faculty interested in their application, plus others for balance. Following the interview symposium, we match successful applicants with advisors they want to work with and vice versa.

PhD program faculty

Are CLS PhD project themes already pre-defined?

Project themes must fit within the scope of the CLS topics listed under "Research". Beyond this, doctoral fellows usually have a degree of freedom to define their project within the framework of the research area of their advisor and co-advisor.

PhD program faculty projects

May I use AI to prepare my application?

AI tools can be used to improve the clarity, grammar, style, and overall quality of written language. However, they must not be used to generate ideas, develop concepts, or produce original intellectual content. All ideas, analyses, and substantive contributions must originate from the applicant.

PhD fellowships application

What are the English proficiency requirements for a CLS application?

To join CLS, excellent written and spoken English is essential; however we do not require a specific certificate. If you have taken an English language test, you are asked to indicate in what form you took the test (PBT or iBT), and insert your scores for each category and your total score on the CLS application form. For other evidence of English language proficiency (such as having taken another English exam, having studied/worked in an English-speaking environment, having written a thesis/paper in English, etc), you can enter this as a comment.

English language requirements

What is the joining date for the CLS doctoral program?

CLS doctoral fellows begin their PhD in the year following their application. We offer a flexible start date chosen by the student together with their advisor based on their personal timetable. The earliest start date is April 1st; the latest starting date should be in November. The Master's degree must be completed before the PhD contract start date.

I will finish my Master's degree next year. Can I already apply for a CLS doctoral fellowship?

CLS doctoral fellows begin their PhD in the year following their application. The Master's degree must be completed before the PhD contract start date. At the latest, you should hold the Masters degree by October in the year after your application.

PhD qualification

What salary do CLS PhD fellows receive?

We do not state in advance the exact salary which will be paid to the CLS PhD fellows; the amount depends on the initial location (Germany or Switzerland), the specific group you join, and will change when you begin the exchange at the other location. However, be assured that in all cases it is adequate to live on quite comfortably during your PhD studies.

Funding

Does CLS provide housing?

CLS does not provide housing. However, the welcome and international services of the two partners, as well as the wider CLS community, are there to help. Some student accommodation is available at ETH Zurich; otherwise housing is available on the private market.

Housing Accommodation

I missed the PhD program application deadline. Can I still apply?

Unfortunately, we can only consider PhD program applications submitted via our annual online application process. Outside of these times, it is not possible to apply. For opportunities outside CLS, please write directly to the professor, director or group leader you are interested to work with, with a CV and covering email.

PhD fellowships application

I am a Bachelors/Masters student, can I carry out an internship in your program?

Our Center does not offer an internship program for Bachelor or Master’s student participation. If you are interested in carrying out an internship with one of our faculty members, please write to them directly with your CV and a covering email. Take a look at https://learning-systems.org/members.

Bachelors Masters internship

Can I carry out my Master’s thesis in CLS?

Our Center does not offer a program for Master’s student participation. If you are interested in carrying out your Master’s thesis research with one of our faculty members, please write to them directly with your CV and a covering email. Take a look at https://learning-systems.org/members.

Bachelors Masters internship

Does CLS run a Masters degree program?

No, CLS does not offer a Masters program. Please refer to the various Masters degree programs offered by our University partner, ETH Zurich, including: Biomedical Engineering; Computational Biology and Bioinformatics; Computer Science; Data Science; Electrical Engineering and Information Technology; Mechanical Engineering; Micro and Nanosystems; Neural Systems and Computation; Robotics, Systems and Control. Read more at https://ethz.ch/en/studies/master.html.

Masters ETH Zurich

I have a Bachelors degree, can I apply to CLS alongside a direct doctorate at ETH Zurich?

No, this is not possible. Joining a direct doctorate program at ETH Zurich with Bachelor-level entry involves undertaking two years of initial studies structured similarly to a Master's degree, which students obtain upon completion of the credit requirements. This is not compatible with the CLS doctoral program, which requires a Masters-level degree on entry.

PhD qualification direct doctorate ETH Zurich

Are there are opportunities for Research Assistantships in CLS?

No, CLS does not offer Research Assistant positions. Please refer to the job boards of the respective CLS partners.

Does CLS run a postdoc program?

At present we do not have a centralised CLS postdoc application process. However, there are certainly opportunities within our participating groups for postdoctoral researchers; please write directly to the professor, director or independent group leader you are interested to work with, with a CV and covering email.

Postdoc