The SNI PhD School is highly interdisciplinary and international.
The SNI PhD School
In 2012, the Swiss Nanoscience Institute founded a PhD School to promote the education of young researchers in the nanosciences. The research activities address the cutting edge scientific and interdisciplinary approach of nanoscience and technology and root in disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, medicine and engineering.
Each doctoral student is supervised by two scientists from the interdisciplinary SNI network and belongs to the successful SNI PhD School. Within this network, scientific exchange and networking is of great importance. All PhD student participate in these meetings of the network as well as in their Winter School and several courses that are specifically designed to meet the requirements of the doctoral students.
The PhD School is highly international. Currently, PhD students from 15 different countries are enrolled.
Apply now for the new SNI PhD School projects!
The projects will begin in January 2026 at the earliest. Positions will be filled as suitable candidates are found — early applications are encouraged.
PhD School projects starting in 2026
| Ref. Nr. | Project Title | Principal Investigator | Co-PI(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| P2501 | Firing up ceramic nanocrystals with photon upconversion (project description) (please don't apply as a candidate is already selected) | Jonathan De Roo (University of Basel) | Oliver Wenger (University of Basel) |
| P2502 | Function of the universal Hsp90 chaperone at nanoscale detail | Sebastian Hiller (University of Basel) | Sonja Schmid (University of Basel) |
| P2503 | Enzyme-responsive nanoparticles for tumor-selective radionuclide therapy (project description) | Michael Nash (University of Basel) | Melpomeni Fani (University Hospital) |
| P2504 | Nanostructured materials-based noise reduction and field enhancement of optomechanical nano resonators | Helmut Schift (PSI) | Philipp Treutlein (University of Basel) |
| P2505 | Hybrid opto-SQUID sensing of collective magnetism in layered materials (project description) | Tomasz Smoleński (University of Basel) | Martino Poggio (University of Basel) |
| P2506 | In vivo monitoring of a new-to-nature catalytic event by super-resolution nanoscope (project description) | Thomas R. Ward (University of Basel) | Daniel Müller (D-BSSE) |
Timeline 2025/2026
| 3 March 2025 | Information event for PIs, 11:30 h in the Neuer Hörsaal, Department of Physics |
31 March 2025 | Deadline for project proposal submission to Claudia Wirth |
April - June | Review process |
Mid June | Information about project acceptance |
July - December | Search for candidates, interviews and hiring, online application tool open |
1 January 2026 | Earliest project start |
| 1 July 2026 | Latest project start |
Upcoming events
Annual Event 2025:
10-12 September 2025
From Lab to Startup Workshop (on invitation, participation once while being an SNI PhD student)
16-17 October 2025
"I can recommend the SNI PhD School to everybody who is interested in interdisciplinary science."
Dr. Thomas Mortelmans, former doctoral student at the SNI