UZH.ai x DSI Excellence Program

The UZH.ai Fellowship is a specialized, funded track within the DSI Excellence Program. It is designed for outstanding doctoral students at the University of Zurich whose research focuses on the development, application, or societal implications of Artificial Intelligence.

While following the full interdisciplinary curriculum of the Digital Society Initiative (DSI), UZH.ai Fellows receive additional financial support, dedicated industry mentoring, and access to a specialized AI research community. The goal is to empower a new generation of researchers to lead UZH’s human-centered approach to AI across all faculties.

At a glance:

• Financial Autonomy: A substantial contribution of CHF 47,000 towards your PhD salary (first year only)

• Personal Research Budget: CHF 3,000 in flexible funding for international conferences, specialized AI courses, or essential research equipment.

• Industry Bridge: Exclusive access to the UZH.ai industry network, offering mentorship and career pathways beyond academia.

• Interdisciplinary Excellence: Full integration into the DSI Excellence Program (12 ECTS), providing a holistic view of the digital society.

• AI Community: Connection to over 160 affiliated professors and a vibrant peer network of AI researchers across all seven faculties.

Fellows are fully integrated into the DSI Excellence Program curriculum. Over the course of two years, participants complete:

• Compulsory Modules: The DSI Boot Camp (3-day kickoff), Strategy Lab, and the Interdisciplinary Reading Seminar.

• AI-Focused Electives: Fellows are encouraged to select elective modules (4 ECTS) with a specific AI focus, such as Data Management, Algorithms & Machine Learning, Interdisciplinary Data Analysis & Visualization. 

• Community Engagement: Fellows are expected to spend at least one day per week at the DSI/UZH.ai co-working space to foster cross-faculty collaboration.

Who can apply? The UZH.ai Fellowship is aimed at future or recently enrolled (up to the end of their first year) PhD students at UZH from all disciplines.

Admission Criteria:

• Academic Excellence: An MSc or MA degree with an outstanding track record.

• Research Focus: A PhD project with a clear connection to Artificial Intelligence (technical, legal, ethical, or application-oriented).

• Supervision: Applicants must be enrolled in (or accepted to) a UZH doctoral program and have the support of their supervisor.

• Language: Proficiency in English (the program's language of instruction).

• EU / Schengen residents: For this initial pilot we can only offer Fellowhip positions for EU / Schengen researchers.

The application for the UZH.ai Fellowship is handled as part of the general DSI Excellence Program call.

• Application Period: January 15 – April 5.

• Interviews: Selected candidates will be invited for interviews in May.

• Start of Program: Annually in September (Fall Semester).

Typical application documents include:

• curriculum vitae

• academic transcripts

• letter of motivation

• research description

• references

Link:

https://www.apply.dsi.uzh.ch/position/47022081

Contact

Nina Cornelius-Malecha
phd-program@dsi.uzh.ch