Promotion of young researchers
The Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine places particular emphasis on the promotion of young researchers. Through its doctoral programme in Health Sciences and the doctorate in Human Medicine (Dr. med.), the Faculty offers opportunities to embark on an academic career. In addition, positions for postdoctoral researchers and project scientists provide opportunities for further academic qualification and career development within the Faculty.
The University of Lucerne also offers various funding opportunities. The University Grants Office assists in selecting the right funding instruments and supports in preparing grant applications.
Further information and resources on internal and external funding opportunities for researchers at all career stages can be found here.
Clinician Scientist Programme
The Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine offers structured programmes designed to meet the diverse needs of young researchers in an interdisciplinary and interprofessional environment. The support opportunities are aimed at outstanding and highly motivated young researchers, providing them with the necessary freedom to further their academic qualifications and conduct research at the highest international level. The Young and Advanced Clinician Scientist Programmes are intended for clinically active physicians who already hold a Dr. med. degree. Clinician scientists are physicians who treat patients while simultaneously conducting research at an internationally competitive level. They are able to bring clinical questions into the laboratory and research environment, identify the clinical potential of research findings, and translate these findings into patient care for the benefit of patients.
This programme for the promotion of young researchers at the Faculty is designed for a minimum of one year and up to a maximum of two years and is intended for exceptionally talented physicians who wish to become clinician scientists (Dr. med. degree already obtained). The Young Clinician Scientist Programme offers individuals at the beginning of their careers the opportunity to engage in scientific research while maintaining their clinical duties. Together with the respective clinic leadership and a mentor from outside the clinic, their career path is strategically planned. To this end, they receive protected time for research.
The programme is based on three pillars:
- Planning: Targeted career planning together with the clinic management
- Encourage: Appoint a mentor to accompany your career
- Support: Paid free research time up to max. 20% per year
In principle, clinically active physicians employed at a teaching or partner hospital of the University of Lucerne are eligible to apply. Conditions for application include clinical activity amounting to at least 80% of total working time (at the time of application), above-average scientific potential, and at least one published scientific publication. Clinical activity must be maintained throughout the funding period (minimum 40% absolute employment).
The funding application must include the following documents:
- Planned research project (max. 5 pages)
- CV and list of publications, incl. doctoral certificate (Dr. med)
- Letter of consent from the responsible clinic director
- Letter of recommendation from the mentor
Applications (combined in one PDF document, either in German or in English) can be submitted to the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Stefan Boes (research_gmf@unilu.ch).
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the same e-mail.
If the application is approved, the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine will grant up to 20% Protected Research Time in accordance with the SNSF's PhD programme.
Next submission deadline: November 29th, 2026
The Advanced Clinician Scientist Programme builds upon the Young Clinician Scientist Programme. This highly selective Faculty funding programme is designed for up to two years and is intended for established clinical researchers following completion of their specialist medical training.
Successful applicants receive protected time for research and thereby gain the opportunity to secure funding for their own research projects and, for example, establish a junior research group or prepare a habilitation thesis.
Requirements:
- Eligible applicants are clinically active physicians with demonstrated scientific potential and employment at a teaching or partner hospital of the University of Lucerne.
- Applicants must demonstrate their scientific potential through several (at least 3) already published publications in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals and show the relevance of their research to their clinical activity.
- Applicants must already have completed both their PhD and Dr. med. degrees, and a habilitation procedure must not yet have been initiated.
- Applicants must be clinically active at the time of application (at least 50% of total working time). Clinical activity must also be maintained during the funding period (at least 40% absolute employment).
- Applicants must not already have Protected Research Time.
The funding application must contain the following documents:
- Planned research project (maximum 5 pages)
- CV and publication list, including doctorate certificates (Dr. med. and PhD or MD-PhD)
- Letter of consent from the responsible clinic director
- Statement of intent regarding the planned clinical-scientific career path
Applications (combined in one PDF document, either in German or in English) can be submitted to the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Stefan Boes (research_gmf@unilu.ch).
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the same e-mail.
If the application is approved, the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine will grant up to 20% Protected Research Time in accordance with the SNF postdoctoral programme.
Next submission deadline: November 29th, 2026
The Young Clinician Scientist and Advanced Clinician Scientist Programmes are highly competitive funding programmes. The number of submitted applications exceeds the available funding resources, meaning that only a portion of applications can be supported. The allocation of Protected Research Time is based exclusively on scientific review and the availability of funds. There is no entitlement to the granting of Protected Research Time.
Projects that primarily serve data collection purposes, as well as the exclusive planning, preparation, or conduct of clinical studies without a clearly defined scientific publication objective, will not be supported.
Funding is awarded to research projects with high scientific merit and a realistic prospect of publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The requested research time must demonstrably contribute to scientific qualification and to the development of a clinical-scientific career.
