some additional papers. However, you should define the “end of PhD period” and plan the next phase early on. If you attempt to pursue an academic path, the next phase will be your time as a post-doc (defined as up to six years after the PhD). As a general rule, it is highly recommended to do your post-doc elsewhere. Continuing the post-doc where one does the PhD may penalize your academic track towards assistant or “Förderprofessor” positions given that “mobility” is seen as an asset of an academic career.
Other opportunities Contribute to Young Researcher Editorials
A primary objective of the PhD is the publication of peer-reviewed research papers. A Swiss TPH PhD student initiated a discussion about the lack of opportunities for PhD students to debate and express their views about public health sciences more broadly. This resulted in a new educational initiative of the International Journal of Public Health (IJPH) of SSPH+: The Young Researchers Editorials (YRE). It was launched in September 2017 to strengthen the academic voice of students in the public health scienc¬es. YRE is an independent editorial board of SSPH+ PhD students. They acquire, review and publish Ed¬itorials written and submitted by PhD students from all over the world. As all IJPH Editorials, these are citable open access publications. Please note that YRE is not the place to publish parts of your thesis. Editorials may refer to public health topics or papers published in IJPH or in any other journal or the news. It may also address issues of being a PhD student in public health sciences. Find more information here: https://ssphplus.ch/en/teaching-training/yre/.
Pursuing a PhD in Africa
Students interested in PhD studies in Africa may consider the highly competitive and successful African CARTA PhD program. CARTA provides full-term fellowships to do a PhD at one of the CARTA Universities (only for those who have a contract as an employee at the respective university). CARTA also offers courses for its students, which are also open for PhD students from elsewhere. Swiss TPH chairs the Non-African Partners of the CARTA network (Nino Künzli) and contributes to some of its courses. For questions please contact barbara.buerkin@swisstph.ch
Part-time jobs during PhD studies
Some PhD students work part-time to make some extra income. As this may compete with the time¬ly advancement of the PhD, it is important to discuss this and agree with the supervisor. For foreign students, working permissions may be restricted, e.g. those foreign students with Cantonal or Federal fellowships are usually allowed to work up to 20% (15 hours per week) although exceptions may apply. Some may find job opportunities within Swiss TPH. In those cases, salaries need to be clarified with the supervisor of the related job. Depending on the duration of the work and the tasks (job description), PhD students may be hired on an hourly basis with a flat hourly salary or on some fixed contract (e.g. as 20% research assistant). Please note that the contribution of up to 20% of the PhD time to general needs of Swiss TPH does not count as “job” nor is it paid but considered a “volunteering” contribution to the institution. Working though as a “project assistant” on studies or projects (that are not led by your PhD supervisor) does not qualify as “volunteering institutional contribution” but as a paid part-time job. In case of uncertainties discuss it with your supervisor or the Head of ET.
58 – Guidelines for Doctoral Studies at Swiss TPH
