Switzerland is renowned for offering some of the world’s highest salaries, aiming to offset its considerable cost of living. This holds true for PhD students and Postdocs who are well-compensated in this country. In this post, we delve into the specifics, providing exact figures for the salaries of PhD students and Postdocs in Switzerland. In Switzerland similar to Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Netherlands, Ireland, France, and the UK, PhD students and postdocs are employed by the universities on a fixed-term contract.
Gross Salary of PhD Students and Postdoc Researchers in Switzerland
PhD students in Switzerland typically receive a gross annual salary of approximately 50,000 Swiss Francs (CHF), which equates to around 4,200 CHF per month. However, it’s essential to note that if your employment is less than full-time (less than 100%), your salary will be adjusted accordingly.
In contrast, freshly minted Postdocs in Switzerland earn significantly more than PhD students. A fully employed Postdoc (100%) can expect an annual gross salary of 95,000 CHF, translating to around 7,900 CHF per month.
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Net Salary of PhD Students and Postdoc Researchers
The net salary of employees in Switzerland, including PhD students and Postdocs, is contingent on factors like city of residence, marital status, and the number of dependents. For instance, a single PhD student in Zurich without children can expect a net monthly salary of around 3,500 CHF. However, a married PhD student in Zurich with a child, and a spouse who does not work, would earn approximately 4,050 CHF per month. Similar to Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, your net salary varies based on your personal circumstances.
The same principles apply to Postdocs. Married Postdocs with dependents receive higher net salaries compared to their single counterparts. For example, a single Postdoc in Zurich without children can anticipate a net monthly salary of 6,300 CHF. Conversely, a married Postdoc with children and a non-working spouse would enjoy a net salary of approximately 7,050 CHF per month.
ETH Zurich provides a handy salary calculator that you can access [here](insert link).
Additionally, beyond the deductions mentioned above, you may be eligible for other deductions related to transportation, food, and union membership.
Available Fully Funded PhD and Postdoc Positions in Switzerland
For those seeking fully funded opportunities in Switzerland, Fastepo has you covered. Explore our listings for:
The Fastepo team diligently updates various academic positions, ensuring you have access to the latest opportunities. Additionally, follow our Facebook page to stay informed about new vacancies. If you prefer visual content, consider joining our YouTube channel for engaging PhD and Postdoc-related videos. Your academic journey in Switzerland awaits!
However, your salary is far less than those PhD students who are employed in ITN PhD positions or postdocs who are hired through the Marie-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Fully Funded PhD Positions with Salary
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The Switzerland salary is among the highest in the world, as it is supposed to compensate for the very high cost of living in this country. There are no exceptions to this rule, and PhDs and Postdocs are well compensated. In this post, we provide details and exact amounts regarding the salary for PhD students and postdocs in Switzerland.
Gross Salary of PhD Students and Postdoc Researchers in Switzerland
The gross salary of PhD students is around 50000 Swiss Franc (CHF) per year which means around 4200 CHF per month. However, if you are not fully employed (less than 100%), your salary will be accordingly less.
A fresh postdoc earns way more than a PhD student in Switzerland. A fully employed postdoc (100%) annual gross salary is 95000 CHF which means around 7900 CHF per month.
If you are planning to study in Switzerland, the following video is a MUST watch as it summarises the basic information about “PhD in Switzerland” such as regulation, supervision, salary, tax, and living expenses.
Net Salary of PhD Students and Postdoc Researchers
The next salary of an employee in Switzerland (including PhD students and Postdocs) depends on the city of residence, marital status, and number of kids. If a PhD student is single and does not have any kids and lives in Zurich, his/her net salary will be around 3500 CHF per month. However, a married PhD student in Zurich who has a kid whereas his life partner does not work will earn 4050 CHF per month. So as in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, your net salary differs based on your personal life conditions.
For a Postdoc, the same rule as above will be applied. So, a married postdoc will take more home than a single one. For instance, a single postdoc who has no kids and lives in Zurich will get 6300 CHF per month as a net salary. For a married postdoc with children and a wife who does not work, the net salary would be 7050 CHF per month.
ETHZ provides a calculator for the salary that you can find here.
In addition to the mentioned deduction, you can apply for some other deductions such as transport, food, and union membership.
Available Fully Funded PhD and Postdoc Positions in Switzerland:
- Available Fully Funded PhD Positions in Switzerland
- Available Postdoc Positions in Switzerland
- Available Fully Funded PhD and Postdocs at University of Lugano in Switzerland
- Available fully funded PhD and Postdoc at University of Basel in Switzerland