Scholarship Description: The NCCR Democracy is an interdisciplinary research program on the challenges to democracy in the 21st century funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the University of Zurich. In the framework of the NCCR project “Democracy Barometer” we are seeking two Ph.D. students. The appointment will begin between January and April 2011.

The Democracy Barometer is a new instrument that aims at measuring and understanding the quality of democracy. Looking at the fundamental principles and functions of democracy, we study the causes and consequences of democratic qualities, paths of successful democratisation, and problems of democracy / democratisation in a comparative perspective.
The project “Democracy Barometer” has developed an instrument to assess the quality of democracy in 75 established democracies and to measure the fine differences that exist between them. It allows for benchmarking between established democracies and, as democracy is seen as an ongoing process, for a critical observation of their democratic
development over time, cf. http://www.nccr-democracy.uzh.ch/research/module5/barometer

Profile:
• We seek candidates with an MA degree in a relevant subject (such as political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, public policy, mathematics or statistics in combination with a minor in social sciences).
• You are motivated to write a PhD thesis, studying the quality of democracy and/or democratisation processes. The Democracy Barometer dataset is at your disposal for your own research.
• You contribute to the extension of the Democracy Barometer dataset, and will have further tasks related to our project (such as dissemination, writing short reports, etc.).
• You have excellent skills in methods of analysis, especially quantitative methods.
• You are fluent in English, and if possible, you have working knowledge in further languages.
• As a PhD student, you participate in the doctoral program of the NCCR Democracy (cf. http://www.nccr democracy.uzh.ch/education).

Scholarship Description:
The Institute hosts university professors, lecturers and researchers with independent funding keen to carry out research and take advantage of the resources and services the Institute has to offer (library, interaction with faculty members and students) as well as its unique location at the heart of international Geneva.
Visiting Fellow positions are granted depending on available space , the number of professors, PhD candidates and post-doctorates who wish to spend from two months to a year at the Institute carrying out research.

Conditions:
Eligible candidates include PhD candidates, post-doctoral students or professors from other universities working in one of the Institute’s disciplines or areas of specialisation; Applicants must have independent funding.

Costs:
CHF 500.- to cover administrative expenses, payable on confirmation of the Visiting Fellow status.

Benefits:
Access to library resources;
Access to IT services (Institute e-mail address, IT account, WiFi network);
Interaction facilitated by a professor responsible for liaison between the faculty and students and working in the same or a similar field of research;
Access to events organised by the Institute: conferences, roundtables, etc.;
Opportunity to present personal research work in a seminar.

Application Procedure:
Applications must be addressed to the Director and sent by e-mail (visiting@graduateinstitute.ch) or post, before 1 June for the period from 1 July until 31 December: and before 1 December for the period from 1 January until 30 June.
The Graduate Institute of International and
Development Studies
Director
Visiting Fellows
Rue de Lausanne 132
Case postale 136
CH-1211 Genève 21
Applications must include:
A letter of motivation stating the reasons for the application, the preferred semester, the discipline or domain of specialisation of the Institute in which the candidate is interested:
A brief summary of the research project;
A curriculum vitae, and if available, a list of publications.
The number of openings is limited and the selection is based on the applications.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 June 2011 (1 July-31 December); 1 December 2011 (1 January-30 June)

Contact:
The Graduate Institute of
International and Development Studies
Director-Visiting Fellows
Rue de Lausanne 132
PO Box 136
CH-1211 Geneva 21

Source: http://graduateinstitute.ch/corporate/short_fellows.html

Scholarship Description: Our vision is to assess the structure, supramolecular organization and dynamics of membrane transport proteins by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray crystallography (XRC). To this end, we clone, over-express, purify and crystallize transport proteins in 2- (2D) and 3-dimensions (3D). 2D crystals are analyzed by TEM/electron crystallography and AFM, while 3D crystals by XRC. Tasks of the successful candidates will involve cloning, over-expression and purification of pro- and eukaryotic membrane transport proteins for functional and structural studies. Our work is part of the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure – From transport physiology to identification of therapeutic targets.

Required qualifications:
The Postdoc / Ph.D. candidate should have a Ph.D. / Master degree in molecular biology or biochemistry. Experience with the over-expression in bacteria and yeast, and with the biochemistry of membrane proteins is compulsory. Experience with transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy or X-ray crystallography would be an advantage.

Workplace:
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland Entrance Beginning of January-March 2011 or upon mutual agreement Duration of appointment 3-4 years Application Cover letter, CV and addresses of two reference persons should be submitted by email to
dimitrios.fotiadis@mci.unibe.ch. Women are particularly encouraged to apply in accordance with the NCCR TransCure’s effort to increase the number of female scientists.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Dimitrios Fotiadis Institute of Biochemistry
Molecular Medicine University of Bern Bühlstrasse 28
CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
Email: dimitrios.fotiadis@mci.unibe.ch

Source: http://www.transcure.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/Jobs/Postdoc_and_Phd_IBMM.pdf

Scholarship Description:
Our vision is to assess the structure, supramolecular organization and dynamics of membrane transport proteins by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray crystallography (XRC). To this end, we clone, over-express, purify and crystallize transport proteins in 2- (2D) and 3-dimensions (3D). 2D crystals are analyzed by TEM/electron crystallography and AFM, while 3D crystals by XRC. Tasks of the successful candidates will involve cloning, over-expression and purification of pro- and eukaryotic membrane transport proteins for functional and structural studies. Our work is part of the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure – From transport physiology to identification of therapeutic targets.

Required qualifications:
The Postdoc / Ph.D. candidate should have a Ph.D. / Master degree in molecular biology or biochemistry. Experience with the over-expression in bacteria and yeast, and with the biochemistry of membrane proteins is compulsory. Experience with transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy or X-ray crystallography would be an advantage.

Workplace: Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern,Switzerland.

Entrance: Beginning of January-March 2011 or upon mutual agreement

Duration of appointment: 3-4 years

Application: Cover letter, CV and addresses of two reference persons should be submitted by email to dimitrios.fotiadis@mci.unibe.ch
Women are particularly encouraged to apply in accordance with the NCCR TransCure’s effort to increase the number of female scientists.

Application Deadline: January 2011

About IMD:
Highly-ranked management programs. Top executives from around the world and leading Faculty. Take a look around, and find out why IMD is different to other business schools.

Detail:
Three scholarships are awarded each year to candidates who demonstrate leadership understanding through an essay competition.

Eligibility:
Accepted candidates who demonstrate exceptionally strong leadership potential

Selection Criteria:
Submitting an essay on: ‘Leadership in an era of Globalization’ Include in your essay the criteria that you would use to select a future global leader, and why (maximum 750 words)
essay template: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Temp\Scholarship_Template.doc

Jury: Winners of the essay competition are selected by a jury of distinguished leaders from businesses around the world:
- Martha Maznevski, MBA Program Director, IMD
- Hans-Paul Bürkner, CEO, BCG
- Sandy Ogg, Chief HR, Unilever
- Soren Skou, Partner, A.P. Moller Maersk A/S

Number of scholarships: 3

Amount: CHF 30,000

Deadline: September 30

IMD MBA scholarship conditions:
Applicants must have been accepted into the IMD MBA program prior to their application. Our scholarship applications are essay based, with winning essays typically including the following features:
    * Relevance to the essay title
    * Organization and structure
    * Fully developed arguments
    * Persuasiveness
    * Personal element and/or passion
IMD reserves the right not to award a scholarship if the criteria are not met to the satisfaction of the jury / sponsors.

Scholarship essays, or questions, should be sent to mbafinance@imd.ch

Note: Not only did The IMD Future Leaders’ Scholarship contribute to financing my year at IMD, it also served as a source of inspiration. During the MBA program, I’ve been able to further explore the leadership issues I raised in my scholarship essay.

Contact:
IMD INTERNATIONAL
Ch. de Bellerive 23
P.O. Box 915
CH-1001 Lausanne, Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)21 618 0111
Fax: +41 (0)21 618 0707

Source: http://www.imd.ch/index.cfm

About PSC:
The Center of Plant Sciences was founded in January 1998, after the directors of the ETH and the University of Zurich agreed to establish a common Competence Center. The Center comprised the five institutes of both institutions, which are responsible for teaching and research in the field of Plant Sciences.

Detail:
Since 2002 the Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center (PSC) offers Ph.D. students a Ph.D. Program in Plant Sciences. The Zurich-Basel Ph.D. Program in Plant Sciences is a joint program of the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and the University of Basel. If you wish to do your Ph.D. studies in one of the following fields you are welcome to join our program: Molecular Biology, Plant Biotechnology, Plant Developmental Biology, Plant Physiology, Plant Nutrition, Agronomy, Plant Population Biology, Plant Community Biology, Plant Ecology, Ecosystem Research, Global Change Biology.

Eligibility:
Students will obtain their Ph.D. from the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich or the University of Basel and will receive an additional PSC Ph.D. Program Certificate for successful completion.
Within the PSC Ph.D. Program in Plant Sciences Ph.D. students are embedded in a lively and international community of over 700 researchers. As a Ph.D. student you may also take the opportunity to engage yourself and make friends in our PSC Ph.D. association (PS2A). 
The PSC Ph.D. Program is member of the Life Science Zurich Graduate School.
The PSC Ph.D. Program in Plant Sciences focuses on:
1.Providing Ph.D. students with an integrated view of various specialized fields and up-to-date scientific knowledge from new research fronts in the Plant Sciences.
2.Providing Ph.D. students with an introduction to diverse conceptual and technical approaches in Plant Sciences research.
3.Making the competences and the infrastructure of the three partner Universities accessible to all Ph.D. students who participate in the program.
4.Enhancing interdisciplinary research competence of Ph.D. students in the field of Plant Science.
5.Equipping Ph.D. students with a range of transferable skills relevant to a future career in academia as well as beyond (e.g. management skills and communication skills)
6.Creating courses and research projects based on inter-institutional collaborations, thus encouraging students to work as members of flexible teams.
7.Attracting and recruiting particularly well qualified candidates to do their graduate education and research at the PSC.
8.Offering all Ph.D. and Master’s courses in English, to meet the needs of the large number of international students enrolled at the three partner universities and to better prepare home students (Swiss) for an international career.

Application deadline: December 1st 2010

Contact:
Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center (PSC)
Dr. Melanie Paschke
ETH Zurich
LFW
8092 Zurich, Switzerland

Source: http://www.plantscience.ethz.ch/index_EN

About IDSIA:
IDSIA (Istituto Dalle Molle di Studi sull’Intelligenza Artificiale) is a non-profit oriented research institute for artificial intelligence, affiliated with both the Faculty of Informatics of the University of Lugano and the Department of Innovative Technologies of SUPSI, the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland. We focus on machine learning (artificial neural networks, reinforcement learning), optimal universal artificial intelligence and optimal rational agents, operations research, complexity theory, and robotics. IDSIA is situated near Lugano, a lakeside city in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, a region of Switzerland well known for its warm climate and outstanding scenery.

Detail:
The objective of the research is the development of novel methods for self-organized control and coordination of heterogeneous teams of humans and robot swarms interacting in symbiotic peer-to-peer modality. The applicant will devise novel ways to include humans’ unique sensory-motor and cognitive skills in the loop of robotic swarms. The applicant will investigate different means and combinations of multi-modal communications based on visual cues, human gestures, vocal commands, stigmergic signalling, and radio messages. Particular attention will be also devoted to the modelling of human and swarm emotions and to the study of how to use them to effectively affect motivations, goals, action selection, and learning. The investigated topics will be a follow-up of IDSIA’s previous research in the domain of swarm robotics (projects Swarmanoid and Swarm-bots). The research will be carried out in the context of a Swiss research framework.

Candidate Profile:
We are looking for an excellent and highly motivated candidate with a strong interest and a scientific background in: robotics, cognitive sciences, machine learning, and swarm intelligence. The candidate must have a MASTER degree (or equivalent). She/he is expected to have good programming and mathematical skills, and to have a positive attitude toward interdisciplinary research and teamwork.

Time frame, Enrollment, and Salary information:
Expected duration of the studentship:  4 years, starting from December 2010
1.The candidate will be affiliated to the Faculty of Informatics at USI and will be supervised by Prof. Luca Gambardella (IDSIA).
2.English is the official language both at the Faculty of Informatics of USI and at IDSIA.
3.The gross salary is roughly 40,000 CHF (29,000 EURO) per year (corresponding to a net salary of about 2,700 CHF/month). There is travel funding in case of papers accepted at conferences and for project meetings.

Research Environment:
IDSIA (http://www.idsia.ch) is a research institute affiliated to the University of Lugano (http://www.usi.ch/en/index.htm) and theUniversity of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (http://www.supsi.ch/home_en.html).
IDSIA is a truly international, stimulating, and dynamic environment. It currently hosts about 50 people, including senior researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and Ph.D. students. The research activities carried out at IDSIA address a number ofdifferent domains, including: swarm robotics, machine learning, combinatorial optimization, networking, bio-inspired computing, data mining, information theory, complex systems, and simulation.

Application Process:
Applications should be submitted electronically to Dr. Gianni A. Di Caro at the following address: gianni AT idsia DOT ch. They must include:       
1.Detailed curriculum vitae (including grades)
2.List of two references (including email addresses)
3.Statement about the research interests of the candidate, pointing out their relationship with the topics of the project (1 page)
4.Links to master thesis and publications

Closing Date: Position is open until filled. Candidates are strongly encouraged to send their applications before September 30, 2010.

Contact:
IDSIA
Galleria 2
6928 Manno-Lugano
Switzerland
Tel. +41 58 666 6660
Fax +41 58 666 6661

Source: http://www.idsia.ch/index?lang=en

About IDSIA:
IDSIA (Istituto Dalle Molle di Studi sull’Intelligenza Artificiale) is a non-profit oriented research institute for artificial intelligence, affiliated with both the Faculty of Informatics of the University of Lugano and the Department of Innovative Technologies of SUPSI, the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland. We focus on machine learning (artificial neural networks, reinforcement learning), optimal universal artificial intelligence and optimal rational agents, operations research, complexity theory, and robotics. IDSIA is situated near Lugano, a lakeside city in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, a region of Switzerland well known for its warm climate and outstanding scenery.

Detail:
The objective of the research is the development of novel methods for self-organized control and coordination of heterogeneous teams of humans and robot swarms interacting in symbiotic peer-to-peer modality. The applicant will devise novel ways to include humans’ unique sensory-motor and cognitive skills in the loop of robotic swarms. The applicant will investigate different means and combinations of multi-modal communications based on visual cues, human gestures, vocal commands, stigmergic signalling, and radio messages. Particular attention will be also devoted to the modelling of human and swarm emotions and to the study of how to use them to effectively affect motivations, goals, action selection, and learning. The investigated topics will be a follow-up of IDSIA’s previous research in the domain of swarm robotics (projects Swarmanoid and Swarm-bots). The research will be carried out in the context of a Swiss research framework.

Candidate Profile:
We are looking for an excellent and highly motivated candidate with a strong interest and a scientific background in: robotics, cognitive sciences, machine learning, and swarm intelligence. The candidate must have a MASTER degree (or equivalent). She/he is expected to have good programming and mathematical skills, and to have a positive attitude toward interdisciplinary research and teamwork.

Research Environment:
IDSIA (http://www.idsia.ch) is a research institute affiliated to the University of Lugano (http://www.usi.ch/en/index.htm) and theUniversity of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (http://www.supsi.ch/home_en.html).  IDSIA is a truly international, stimulating, and dynamic environment. It currently hosts about 50 people, including senior researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and Ph.D. students. The research activities carried out at IDSIA address a number ofdifferent domains, including: swarm robotics, machine learning, combinatorial optimization, networking, bio-inspired computing, data mining, information theory, complex systems, and simulation.

Time frame, Enrollment, and Salary information: Expected duration of the studentship:  4 years, starting from December 2010
1. The candidate will be affiliated to the Faculty of Informatics at USI and will be supervised by Prof. Luca Gambardella (IDSIA).
2. English is the official language both at the Faculty of Informatics of USI and at IDSIA.
3. The gross salary is roughly 40,000 CHF (29,000 EURO) per year (corresponding to a net salary of about 2,700 CHF/month). There is travel funding in case of papers accepted at conferences and for project meetings.

Application Procedure:
Applications should be submitted electronically to Dr. Gianni A. Di Caro at the following address: gianni AT idsia DOT ch.  They must include:       
1. Detailed curriculum vitae (including grades)
2. List of two references (including email addresses)
3. Statement about the research interests of the candidate, pointing out their relationship with the topics of the project (1 page)
4. Links to master thesis and publications

Deadline: Position is open until filled. Candidates are strongly encouraged to send their applications before September 30, 2010.

Contact:
IDSIA
Galleria 2
6928 Manno-Lugano
Switzerland
Tel. +41 58 666 6660
Fax +41 58 666 6661

Source: http://www.idsia.ch/

About FDFA:
The Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (FDFA) formulates and coordinates Swiss foreign policy on the instructions of the Federal Council. A coherent foreign policy is a precondition for the effective protection of Swiss interests vis-à-vis foreign countries.

Detail:
The university scholarships are intended for post-graduate students only, with as special emphasis put on Research Fellowships. Applicants who already hold a Master degree and wish to undertake a second (or 3rd) Master degree are not considered a priority for the Swiss Government Scholarships. Multiplying the Master degrees will not be encouraged by the Federal Commission for Scholarship (FCS). Besides, please be aware that for Master programs, the FCS does not pay for Master tuition fees.

Eligibility:
1. Candidates should not be older than 35 years (i.e. born after 1 January 1976).
2. Before applying, you must find out whether your planned study program or research project can be carried out at the university concerned. Therefore, you will have to contact the Professor or the Administrator responsible for the postgraduate course. You will have to submit copies of your diploma with grades, a detailed study plan (see guidelines for details) and a curriculum vitae. Should this contact not be made, the Swiss Embassy will reject the candidature.
3. In order to study in Switzerland the students must have a good knowledge of French, German or Italian, as classes will mostly be given in one of these languages. For research scholarships, the language is often English, more specifically in Sciences.

Application Deadline: Each application form and all the annexed documents required have to be sent in triplicate in the given order (see Application Guidelines on Downloads). The complete application files should be submitted to the Embassy not later than 29 October 2010.

Application Procedure:
It is essential that you fill in the application forms electronically and print them out to attach to your file. Forms filled in by hand will not be accepted. All documents which are not in English, German or French must be accompanied by certified translations in one of these 3 languages.

Important: The FCS has issued new APPLICATION GUIDELINES (see Downloads). These guidelines outline all the important information and requirements to prepare a good application.

Applications will not be taken into consideration if they are in one of the following situations:
* The application is incomplete, does not respect the guidelines or is badly prepared;
* The applicant is older than 35 (born prior to 1.1.1976);
* Applications for 2 or more Universities. Applicants must apply for only 1 University;
* The applicant is already attending the first year of a Master Program in one of the Swiss Universities. Students already embarked in a Master program in one of the Swiss Universities are not eligible for a Swiss Government Scholarship;
* The applicant does not have sufficient knowledge of the teaching language (see. Appendix of the APPLICATION GUIDELINES for the teaching languages of the various Master Programs.). In case your application has been pre-selected by the Embassy, you will be invited for a language test at the Embassy;
* If the applicant is required to attend a complementary program or to catch up ECTS credits in order to comply with the University requirements.

Once you have submitted your application to the Embassy, it is definite, you will not be able to take it back in case any document is missing => Before subitting your application, please check carefully that it is complete with all required documents, photos, signature and prepared according to the guidelines.

Contact:
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel. +41 (0)31 322 21 11
Fax +41 (0)31 323 40 01

Source: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/dfa/policy.html

About IMD:
Highly-ranked management programs. Top executives from around the world and leading Faculty. Take a look around, and find out why IMD is different to other business schools.

Detail:
Three scholarships are awarded each year to candidates who demonstrate leadership understanding through an essay competition.

Eligibility:
Accepted candidates who demonstrate exceptionally strong leadership potential

Selection Criteria:
Submitting an essay on: ‘Leadership in an era of Globalization’ Include in your essay the criteria that you would use to select a future global leader, and why (maximum 750 words)
essay template: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Temp\Scholarship_Template.doc

Jury: Winners of the essay competition are selected by a jury of distinguished leaders from businesses around the world:
- Martha Maznevski, MBA Program Director, IMD
- Hans-Paul Bürkner, CEO, BCG
- Sandy Ogg, Chief HR, Unilever
- Soren Skou, Partner, A.P. Moller Maersk A/S

Number of scholarships: 3

Amount: CHF 30,000

Deadline: September 30

IMD MBA scholarship conditions:
Applicants must have been accepted into the IMD MBA program prior to their application. Our scholarship applications are essay based, with winning essays typically including the following features:
* Relevance to the essay title
* Organization and structure
* Fully developed arguments
* Persuasiveness
* Personal element and/or passion
IMD reserves the right not to award a scholarship if the criteria are not met to the satisfaction of the jury / sponsors.

Scholarship essays, or questions, should be sent to mbafinance@imd.ch

Note: Not only did The IMD Future Leaders’ Scholarship contribute to financing my year at IMD, it also served as a source of inspiration. During the MBA program, I’ve been able to further explore the leadership issues I raised in my scholarship essay.

Contact:
IMD INTERNATIONAL
Ch. de Bellerive 23
P.O. Box 915
CH-1001 Lausanne, Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)21 618 0111
Fax: +41 (0)21 618 0707

Source: http://www.imd.ch/index.cfm