Prospective Students and Open positions
To be accepted as a doctoral candidate, you should have a background in medicine, pharmacy, health sciences, epidemiology or exact sciences. Backgrounds in biology, engineering, psychology, exercise or sports science are less suitable for the research group.
You should also have a keen interest in data-based research methods. Most of the work is very statistics-heavy.
External funding is mandatory. Part-time doctorates are not possible.
If you are interested in a doctorate in health sciences, please contact Prof. Armin Gemperli, PhD. If you do not yet have funding but are planning to obtain it, you are welcome to ask for support.
Funding
Apply to the relevant public funding agencies in your country of residence or to private sponsors. If you are not resident in Switzerland, there is the possibility of Federal Excellence Scholarships for doctoral studies. Please note the requirements and deadlines here. As this funding is very limited, it is recommended to apply for additional funding elsewhere. The application must be written by the applicant and should be discussed with us at an early stage. However, you must submit your own research idea, including a research question and an outline of a research plan.
Research content
The content of your research must be oriented towards the research group's focus on healthcare research and the Swiss healthcare system. An international focus is possible. We do not tend to support research that only takes place locally in a country other than Switzerland. Methodological work in health services research is very welcome.
We regularly offer medical doctorates. If you are interested in doing a statistical analysis of existing data with a question from the Swiss healthcare system, please contact Prof. Armin Gemperli, PhD. We will also be happy to support you in finding a topic and can provide you with appropriate suggestions.
Practice assistant program
If you are interested in family medicine and can imagine working as a family doctor or pediatrician in the future, then please take a look at the practice assistant program of the Lucerne Association of Family Medicine and Community Care. As part of the Lucerne Curriculum in Family Medicine, you have the opportunity of a paid research assistantship at the Center for Family Medicine and Community Care at the University of Lucerne. During this time you can work on your dissertation project under supervision. The position can be filled 100% for 6 months or 50% for 12 months. Persons in the research assistant program of the Association of Family Medicine and Community Care Lucerne will be given priority in the allocation of dissertation projects.
MD-PhD program
MD-PhD programs are currently not offered by the University of Lucerne. However, it is still possible to combine a medical dissertation with a second degree program quickly and efficiently. If you are interested, please contact Prof. Armin Gemperli, PhD.
The same requirements apply to postdoctoral studies as to doctorates:
Funding is mandatory, unpaid as well as part-time doctorates are not possible. If you do not yet have funding but are planning to obtain it, you are welcome to ask for support.
Funding
- Apply to the relevant public funding agencies in your country of residence or to private sponsors.
- In Switzerland, the Swiss National Science Foundation offers various personal funding instruments.
- If you are not resident in Switzerland, there is the possibility of Federal Excellence Scholarships for postdoctoral fellowships. Please note the requirements and deadlines. The application must be written by the applicant and should be discussed with us at an early stage. However, you must submit your own research idea, including a research question and an outline of a research plan.
Research content
The content of your research must be oriented towards the research group's focus on healthcare research and the Swiss healthcare system. An international focus is possible. We do not tend to support research that only takes place locally in a country other than Switzerland. Methodological work in health services research is very welcome.
The Visiting Fellows Program is aimed at promising researchers who wish to conduct research at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine for a specified period of time. During their stay, fellows receive a workplace at the University and are invited to share and develop their ideas through participation in lectures, seminars, colloquia and conferences.
See here for more information.
