PhD Program in Ecology

Completing a PhD research project in the joint University of Zurich (UZH) and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, PhD Program in Ecology, in one of the internationally acclaimed research groups, enhances a student’s PhD experience. Students of this program are enrolled at either the UZH or the ETH. The program offers research training in the interdisciplinary field of ecology, general skills training for academic and non-academic excellence, and opportunities to interact with other doctoral students. The program includes a curriculum of at least 12 ECTS credits, teaching experience, and is usually completed within three to four years (full-time). It offers yearly graduate schools, courses on subject specific matters and on methods that are of direct use to the work of doctoral students. Additional courses on transferable skills prepare students for professional life, whether this is in an academic institution or not. Research seminars foster international collaborations and the exchange of experiences among doctoral students and experts from different fields of ecology.

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Temporal dynamics of macroinvertebrates communities and decomposition rate in water-filled tree holes
Francesca Cerroti

Photographs of water-filled tree holes in a forest in Ticino, along with a schematic illustration of their communities (Pictures: © Max Fonseca, schematic illustration: © Francesca Cerroti)

Water-filled tree holes (WHs) offer a unique natural system for studying ecosystem functions like organic matter decomposition within a contained aquatic environment. These microhabitats, formed in decayed or hollowed sections of trees, collect rainwater and organic debris, creating miniature aquatic ecosystems that support forest biodiversity. Decomposer communities in WHs—primarily microbes, aquatic fungi, and macroinvertebrates—actively process leaf litter, but their activity may vary significantly with seasonal changes. Extreme events such as summer drying or winter freezing can halt or sharply reduce decomposition. The relatively contained nature of WHs makes them ideal for investigating seasonal decomposition variability in a simplified yet ecologically significant context. In this study, we examined the seasonal dynamics of decomposer communities and leaf litter decomposition in WHs within a temperate forest, focusing on how seasonal shifts in environmental conditions and biodiversity affect decomposition rates in these microhabitats.

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Photography for Scientists
Science and science communication rely heavily and extensively on photography. In this course organised by the PhD Program in Ecology, student scientists were taught how to be more "visually literate", empowering them to more effectively communicate their science.

Filmmaking for Scientists
In this course organised by the PhD Program in Ecology, students learnt how to prepare their own documentary films, including how to deal with camera and lighting, screenwriting/storyboard and film editing. At the end of the workshop, the PhD students prepared a short documentary film.