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Situated between the Alps and the Three-Lake-Region, the bilingual city of Fribourg offers more than just mediaeval charm. It’s home to the University of Fribourg, consistently ranked among the world’s top universities (QS World University Rankings 2024). For PhD candidates seeking a premier research environment, the Faculty of Science and Medicine stands out for its excellence in a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines and medicine.
Take Colombian-born Aura Maria Moreno Echeverri, for instance. What drew Moreno Echeverri here was a confluence of her thesis question and personal connection. Her fascination with the post-design behaviour of polymeric nanoparticles matched the university’s expertise. The real draw, however, was the opportunity to work at the Adolphe Merkle Institute under the supervision of Professors Barbara Rothen Rutishauser and Alke Fink.
“The focus of their group on cell-nanoparticle interactions allows me to gain a comprehensive understanding of the long-term interactions between cells and nanoparticles, which is central to my research interest,” she says.
The Faculty of Science and Medicine is the heart of scientific education and research at the university. With a diverse range of PhD programmes, including Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, and Medical Sciences, doctoral students have many avenues to make meaningful new contributions to their chosen research field. Students collaborate with one of over 100 research groups, becoming integral members of the research team, often getting hired for the duration of their research work.
The PhD students at the University of Fribourg fully integrate into the academic staff, forming lifelong connections with peers and senior researchers. Source: University of Fribourg
The PhD students at the University of Fribourg fully integrate into the academic staff, forming lifelong connections with peers and senior researchers. Source: University of Fribourg
Upon joining a research group, students gain access to state-of-the-art facilities, including laboratories, microscopy and analytics suites, and even animal facilities — everything necessary to support groundbreaking research. They are also provided with a dedicated workspace and a computer specifically equipped for their research needs.
Funding is another key advantage. Supervisors typically secure funding for research projects and student salaries. As students progress, they may even apply for additional grants with guidance from the university’s research promotion service. Just ask Roman M. Fortunatus from Tanzania, a recipient of theSwiss Government Excellence Scholarship for international students. “In my case, securing funds for my research was straightforward, from the interview steps to application for a scholarship, from visa application to being a registered student. The whole process took almost a year,” he says.
The best part? PhD students have access to various doctoral schools. Options include the Fribourg Doctoral School in Life Sciences and Medicine or regional programmes offered by the CUSO network, spanning five different universities. The CUSO programmes provide valuable soft skills development, encompassing communication, writing, research funding, and career planning.
What’s more, PhD students are fully integrated into the academic community. Faculty departments organise regular seminars and conferences where students present their work and receive constructive feedback from peers and faculty. While research is primarily conducted on campus, off-site research is permitted for projects demanding a specific environment. Collaborations with other institutions are encouraged, and students can even pursue co-supervision by professors from two different universities, leading to a joint degree upon successful completion.
While research is typically conducted within the laboratories of the university, students can conduct research at other institutions if they have suitable academic environments. Source: University of Fribourg
The faculty’s commitment to groundbreaking research is evident in recent discoveries. Researchers at the Adolphe Merkle Institute, in collaboration with another university, have developed a new, more readily degradable type of polymer, a key component in plastics. They have also unravelled a mechanism that reduces age-related neuroinflammation, while another discovery sheds light on a mechanism with potential consequences for women with breast cancer.
As a PhD is rigorous and can be testing, the university ensures PhD students are actively supported throughout their academic journey here. Students are encouraged to participate in conferences to network with global researchers — with their research group covering the associated costs. Meanwhile, the research promotion service equips students with grant-seeking skills for academia, while the didactics centre offers training for those pursuing teaching careers in higher education. Career services run workshops on crafting job applications and host recruitment fairs, connecting students with potential employers beyond academia.
Beyond these targeted resources, the faculty organises annual events for its over 400 PhD students. These workshops and presentations cover valuable skills like scientific communication, open-access publishing, and securing funding — both during and after the completion of this degree. This holistic approach ensures that PhD graduates are well-equipped to thrive in their chosen fields, whether in academia, industry, or beyond.
“I am very satisfied with the academic resources and opportunities at the Adolphe Merkle Institute and the University of Fribourg,” Moreno Echeverri says. “I have had no issues securing the necessary materials or equipment for my research. I eagerly look forward to pursuing a postdoctoral position, as my PhD journey has significantly deepened my engagement with research and academia.”
Find out more about the University of Fribourg’s PhD programmes.
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