Doctorate and PhD programmes

Swiss TPH offers PhD students registered at the University of Basel a broad range of research areas. Swiss TPH's academic faculty supervises PhD students in the fields of medical parasitology and infection biology, public health and epidemiology and medical anthropology.

Swiss TPH also contributes to PhD programme developments through its activities with the Graduate School Medical and Health Sciences (GSMHS), the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), and the University of Basel.

The total number of doctoral students has steadily increased and there are currently over 180 PhD students supervised by Swiss TPH staff. Every year, around 45 young researchers from all over the world receive the doctoral title. A detailed description of all steps of undertaking a PhD can be found in the Student Handbook.
 

PhD study areas

Swiss TPH PhD students are accepted and registered in a range of PhD study areas (Promotionsfächer) offered by University Basel.

  • The Faculty of Science offers PhDs in the field of microbiology, zoology, cell biology and epidemiology.
  • The Faculty of Medicine offers several PhD studies related in particular in the fields of clinical research, epidemiology/public health and drug development.
  • The Seminar of Social Anthropology (Faculty of Arts and Humanities) offers PhD studies in the field of Medical Anthropology.

PhD programmes

Swiss TPH supports the Graduate School Medical and Health Sciences (GSMHS) in running four doctoral programmes that reflects the current focus areas of health research in Basel. All PhD students of the interfaculty doctoral regulations of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Science, which includes Swiss TPH, are required to join the GSMHS. These four PhD Programmes include the following: Infection Biology and Health, Population and System-oriented Research, Patient-oriented Research, Technology and Engineering-oriented Research.
 

Graduate School Medical and Health Sciences

The Graduate School Medical and Health Sciences (GSMHS) aims for high quality and interdisciplinary excellence in doctoral education and creates an inspiring environment for PhD students in medicine, infection biology, and health sciences. We support our PhD students from interdisciplinary departments through courses and workshops, networking activities, and provision of information on different scientific events, PhD processes, and administrative processes. Through its organization, the GSMHS offers a central point of contact for its PhD students and their supervisors. The Faculty of Science, along with the Faculty of Medicine, are the two supporting faculties of the GSMHS that coordinate the GSMHS activities. With support of these two faculties, the GSMHS runs four doctoral programs that reflects the current focus areas of health research in Basel. More information about the programs, courses, and activities of the GSMHS, can be found here.

SSPH+ Inter-university Graduate Campus

The SSPH+ IGC serves as the central hub for top-tier PhD courses, training opportunities, and academic events in public health. It is open to all PhD and MD students who are supervised by an SSPH+ Faculty member. By joining the IGC, students can strengthen their academic skills, expand their competencies, enhance their career development, and grow their professional networks. All Swiss TPH PhD students can register to the SSPH+ IGC. More information can be found here.

Our alumni

“Working and studying at Swiss TPH has allowed me to develop my skills and knowledge in public health and epidemiology through its excellent research and teaching environment. The institute's expertise and resources have enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of public health issues, while also building my confidence in professional and scientific settings.”

Nino Maghradze

PhD graduate, Tuberculosis Ecology and Evolution unit

“Collaborating with skilled and diverse scientists at Swiss TPH has equipped me for my current position as Chief Veterinary Officer with the WOAH Liberia. Although my role primarily focuses on animal health, my PhD has taught me to address animal health challenges from a One Health perspective, which takes into account the interconnectedness of animals, humans, and the environment.”

Garmie Voupawoe

PhD graduate, Human and Animal Health unit

The Swiss TPH Virtual Gallery
For a comprehensive overview of the achievements of past and present PhD students, please visit our PhD Gallery.

Training certificate of the IGS North-South

Apart from the structured programmes, some Swiss TPH PhD students may enroll in the 12-ECTS training certificate of the International Graduate School (IGS) North-South.

Courses and seasonal schools

Our PhD students can benefit from a wide range of courses and seasonal schools offered by the above programmes, the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+) partners, the University of Basel and many other providers. PhD students and supervisors agree on the coursework to be completed during the PhD programme. While this work must comply with the rules of the University of Basel or the additional structured PhD programmes, supervisors can adapt the schedule to suit the students' needs. PhD students should also develop transferable skills, which are offered by the University of Basel, among others.