5. Information for assistants at ETH Zurich (postdoctoral scholarship)

• Generally: completed by 1 September (as the scholarship is paid from that date)
• With employment: The ETHIS workflow must be completed by mid-July so HR can apply for the required work permit.

• 12 months
• Cannot be extended

The status depends on whether the scholarship holders will be employed (to top up the scholarship).

• Without employment: Guest (scholarship holders and compulsory interns)
• With employment: postdoctoral students (via HR)

Background

• The scholarship can be topped up as long as the total salary does not exceed the usual remuneration of a postdoctoral student. 
• HR is your contact for the top-up. Thank you for keeping the Student Exchange Office in the loop (CC).
• Regardless of employment, you will need to complete the ETHIS workflow.

ETHIS workflow

You have to register the scholarship (CHF 3,500 per month) with the remark "Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships".

You will need the following documents:

• Official scholarship offer (which you will receive from the Student Exchange Office)
• Download Personal data sheet (PDF, 107 KB)
• CV
• Copy of passport
• Copy of residence permits for foreign nationals at the start of employment
• Photo for ETH card (JPEG format)
  
• Copy of doctoral degree certificate
  
• Visa authorisation (if already available)
• Only if scholarship holders will be employed: Download Application for employment (PDF, 630 KB)

If you need help with ETHIS, do not hesitate to contact your HR person.

You must ensure a physical workplace is available for the scholarship holders.

General

• The situation is challenging. If you can offer accommodation, inform the Student Exchange Office.
• The Housing Office of University Zurich and ETH has few rooms available for these postdoctoral students and gives them the lowest priority in the allocation process. They are not entitled to a room. Regardless of this, the Student Exchange Office will send them the housing application link. By mid-July at the latest, they will be notified whether their application has been successful or whether they have to find themselves a place to stay .
• The scholarship holders should ¨C if possible ¨C take up residence in the canton of Zurich, as the regulations vary from canton to canton. The Student Exchange Office can only advise on the procedures in the canton of Zurich.  

Scholarship holders already living in Switzerland

As they have already found accommodation, they are not given preferential treatment in the allocation of accommodation.

Scholarship holders with partners and families

Accommodation will only be offered to scholarship holders themselves, no additional people. Scholarship holders with family must organise their own accommodation.

• You do not have to do anything, the Student Exchange Office will take care of the scholarship payments.
• For your information: The first two scholarship instalments are paid out at the cash desk in the main building, after that the scholarship is transferred directly to the bank account specified by the scholarship holder. It is paid as a net amount without social security contributions.

You do not have to do anything. For your information:

• Scholarship holders with residence in an EU/EFTA country: They should have an insurance and may apply for an exemption if they meet certain conditions.
• Scholarship holders with residence in a non-???EU/EFTA country: Paid and organised by FCS

• The Student Exchange Office will invite the scholarship holders directly to events.
• Before the 1 September, the Student Exchange Office will organise an online welcome event for all scholarship holders. The aim is to ensure that the start in Switzerland is successful and that everyone knows what they need to do (e.g. applying for residence permit, explaining the public transport and health insurance system, etc.).
• During the year, the scholarship holders are invited to events to familiarise them with Swiss culture and give them the opportunity to network.