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University of ZurichZurich Open Repository and Archive
Winterthurerstr. 190
CH-8057 Zurich
http://www.zora.uzh.ch
Year: 2008
Graduate School of Chemical and Molecular Sciences Zurich(CMSZH)
Sigel, R K O; Wild, F
Sigel, R K O; Wild, F (2008). Graduate School of Chemical and Molecular Sciences Zurich (CMSZH). Chimia,62(3):130-131.Postprint available at:http://www.zora.uzh.ch
Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich.http://www.zora.uzh.ch
Originally published at:Chimia 2008, 62(3):130-131.
Sigel, R K O; Wild, F (2008). Graduate School of Chemical and Molecular Sciences Zurich (CMSZH). Chimia,62(3):130-131.Postprint available at:http://www.zora.uzh.ch
Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich.http://www.zora.uzh.ch
Originally published at:Chimia 2008, 62(3):130-131.
Graduate School of Chemical and Molecular Sciences Zurich(CMSZH)
Abstract
The Graduate School of Chemical and Molecular Sciences of the University of Zurich is a jointinitiative of the 'Fachbereich' for Chemistry and Biochemistry. Oriented internationally, the GraduateSchool seeks to attract to Zurich talented prospective PhD students hailing from Switzerland, Europeand all corners of the world interested in a research career in chemistry and other molecular sciencessuch a soft-matter physics and molecular biology.
175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH 130CHIMIA 2008, 62, No. 3
Chimia 62 (2008) 130–131© Schweizerische Chemische Gesellschaft
ISSN 0009–4293
Graduate School of Chemical andMolecular Sciences Zurich (CMSZH)
Roland K. O. Sigel* and Ferdinand Wild*
Abstract: The Graduate School of Chemical and Molecular Sciences of the University of Zurich is a joint initiative ofthe ‘Fachbereich’ for Chemistry and Biochemistry. Oriented internationally, the Graduate School seeks to attract toZurich talented prospective PhD students hailing from Switzerland, Europe and all corners of the world interestedin a research career in chemistry and other molecular sciences such a soft-matter physics and molecular biology.
Keywords: Graduate School of Chemistry and Molecular Science UZH
a rigorous study of chemistry and relatedmolecular sciences.
The requirement for acceptance into theSchool is an excellent academic record inan appropriate field of basic science. Dem-onstrated scientific merit in research is aparamount criterion. The goal of the Schoolis to guide and instruct students towards be-coming members of a selected circle of thebest young scientists and to help them thriveand recognize their potential. The Schoolnot only cares about preparing each of itsstudents for his or her scientific career, butalso looks to establish very good personalrelationships and networking amongst allof its current, former, and future students.
Thanks to a program that spans thechemical andmolecular sciences, awideandinteresting catalogue of scientific foci is of-fered. The molecular aspects of chemistry,biology and physics are well represented inclassical as well as interdisciplinary forms.The central nature of the molecular hypoth-esis to medical, life and physical sciencesplaces the CMSZH Graduate School at thefrontier of the most exciting problems ofmodern science. From design to synthesisto analysis, all investigative interests havea home. A listing of topics includes fieldssuch as: molecular medicine; structural andchemical biology; natural products; targetand method oriented chemical synthesis;catalysis; coordination chemistry; solid-state and materials chemistry; nanotechno-logy; single molecule and ultrafast dynamicspectroscopy; computational methods andab initio electronic structure determination.From the most fundamental factors of poly-atomic molecules to complex molecularsynthesis, protein engineering and/or mac-romolecular structure elucidation, studentsbenefit from exposure to an environment
rich with expertise in many theoretical andexperimental disciplines.
Applying for Admission to theCMSZH Graduate School
Interested candidates must have com-pleted, or nearly completed, their Master’sdegree in a natural science or related disci-pline and have an excellent academic record.Application requires submission of a Cur-riculum Vitae, university transcripts and, ifavailable, a list of scientific publications.In addition, a clear statement on the fieldsof interest is expected. The most promis-ing candidates are invited to participate ina scientific colloquium at the University ofZurich. Here they have the opportunity topresent the results of their Master’s thesis tothe audience and to discuss their work withall of the other participants. An interview isconducted and discussions are held with theacademic staff leading the research groupsof interest to each candidate. During this as-sessment, candidates and potential advisorsbecome acquainted with each other in orderto start a fruitful liaison. The personal com-mitment associated with pursuing a PhDand creating an independent research dis-sertation takes up to four years. Ideally, theculmination of this quest is reached throughvery good scientific collaboration and astrong interpersonal interaction with one’smentor as well as the other members of thegroup and the Graduate School.
Achieving admission to the GraduateSchool recognizes the applicant as havingthe high scientific standard necessary topass this selection process, which strictlyassesses the academic qualifications andscientific skills of each applicant. Admitted
*Correspondence: Dr. F. Wild, Prof. Dr. R. K. O. SigelGraduate School of Chemical and Molecular SciencesZurich (CMSZH)Fachbereich ChemieUniversity of ZurichWinterthurerstrasse 190CH-8057 ZurichFax: +41 44 635 6802E-mail: [email protected]
The Graduate School of Chemical and Mo-lecular Sciences of the University of Zurichcommencedin2007asa joint initiativeof the‘Fachbereich’ for Chemistry and Biochem-istry. This interdisciplinary initiative spanschemistry and other molecular sciences likesoft-matter physics and molecular biology.It provides a platform for an elite chemo-centric curriculum encompassing research,teaching and career skills. Oriented inter-nationally, the Graduate School seeks toattract to Zurich talented prospective PhDstudents hailing from Switzerland, Europeand all corners of the world. Building on175 years of path-forging chemical researchand teaching in Zurich, the CMSZH Gradu-ate School offers a special environment ofstate-of-the-art infrastructure and topflightresearch programs to students committed to
doi:10.2533/chimia.2008.130
175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH 131CHIMIA 2008, 62, No. 3
students are expected to complete their stud-ies and submit their PhD thesis within fouryears. A thesis committee of the student’smentor and other faculty members followsthe progress of the student throughout theduration of the program.
Belonging to the CMSZH GraduateSchool
Joining the Graduate School offersmany benefits to a PhD student over sim-ply just applying directly to and then join-ing a research group. A second supervisorand thesis committee provides a high levelof mentoring of the student. Complemen-tary aspects of the work can be discussedthoroughly with experts from neighbouringfields. In addition, participation in special-ized courses or workshops, preferably atother universities, is strongly encouragedand sometimes even mandatory.
Even more benefits are offered. Studentsin the Graduate School profit from generalcourses like training in scientific writing orpublic speaking. Such courses facilitate thewriting of publications, the final thesis orthe presentation of results in the form oforal contributions at conferences, and pre-pare the student for writing future grant andresearch proposals.
As a very special activity, so-called re-treats are held on a regular basis. These areshort seminars that combine science, sportsand leisure into a unique event. These re-treats are open to all current members andalumni of the Graduate School. The seclu-sion offered by a mountain resort in Swit-zerland stimulates fruitful scientific dis-
cussions amongst different generations ofPhD students. In addition, it is also a goodplace to have some personal networking oncareer and job opportunities, where formerstudents, in particular, might offer valuableadvice to their younger colleagues. Aftersuccessful completion of the PhD exam,the members will enter into the GraduateSchool’s alumni organization with the goalto form a lifelong network.
The CMSZH Graduate School openedits doors in fall 2007 with the first round ofapplications, selecting the first 18 studentsto enter the program. Deadlines to apply aretwice a year, in early spring and fall, and weare looking forward to receive many appli-cations from Zurich, Switzerland, Europe,and from all over the world.
Received: January 31, 2008
The Graduate School of Chemical and Molecular Sciences at the University of Zurichoffers study towards the PhD degree in fields covering a broad spectrum of Chemistry,Biochemistry, and Solid State Materials with the following areas of specialization:
· Biophysics and Biological Chemistry· Computational and TheoreticalChemistry
· Coordination and Analytical Chemistry· Medicinal Chemistry andRadiochemistry
· Molecular Biology and Biochemistry· Organic and Organometallic Chemistry· Solid-State Chemistry and Nanosciences· Spectroscopy· Structural Biology
At present, the following academic group leaders are part of the CMSZH GraduateSchool offering research projects in the above-mentioned areas:Roger Alberto, Kim Baldridge, Heinz Berke, Stefan Bienz, Dominik Brühwiler, RetoDorta, Raimund Dutzler, Nathaniel Finney, Christian Frech, Eva Freisinger, Julia Fritz-Steuber, Peter Hamm, Jan Helbing, Jürg Hutter, Anthony Linden, Nathan Luedtke, Cris-tina Nevado, Greta Patzke, Andreas Plückthun, John Robinson, Ben Schuler, Jay Siegel,Roland Sigel, Bernhard Spingler, Felix Zelder, Oliver ZerbeDeadlines to apply to the CMSZH Graduate School are twice a year, in early spring andfall. For more information please visit our website at www.cmszh.uzh.ch
Prof. Roland Sigel (top right) together with applicants to the CMSZH Graduate School during the1st Symposium on Chemical and Molecular Sciences held on October 31, 2007, at the University ofZurich (Irchel Campus).
A graduate student of CMSZH at work on the700 MHz NMR spectrometer equipped witha cryoprobe, being one of the five high fieldspectrometers at the Institutes of Chemistry.
