New Students
PhD Program 2026 at the Department of Finance, UZH
You are talented, committed, and aspire to understand and shape the financial markets of tomorrow? Then apply and join our PhD program and community.
The PhD in Finance from the University of Zurich is a challenging, full-time program in Zürich. You will learn how to approach and answer complex financial and economic questions through thorough understanding and academic research, preparing you for a stimulating career in academia, industry, or government.
The program is fully funded, which means that you will be paid to do your research and gain valuable experience supporting our teaching activities.
Welcome!
We are excited to welcome our new PhD candidates, who joined our faculty in fall semester 2025/26!
We wish you a good start into your academic journey!
Are you interested to pursue an academic career in finance? Our department offers a fully-funded SFI Swiss Finance Institute PhD program for students. Gain some insights of our newest PhD students from this program:
- Haolin Bai: "Prior to joining UZH, I completed one Master’s degree in Economics at Peking University and another Master’s degree in Financial Engineering at the National University of Singapore. These experiences inspired me to pursue a PhD in Finance. I have greatly enjoyed my time at the Department of Finance of University of Zurich, where the combination of academic excellence, structured training, and a warm, inclusive community creates a truly inspiring environment. I also love the beautiful scenery of Zurich, especially its lake and the nearby Alps."
- Junlei Chen: "I completed my Bachelor's degree at Peking University and then pursued my Master's degree at the University of Zurich. Before starting my PhD, I worked as an Associate Economist at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. I decided to return to Department of Finance at UZH for my PhD program because I was attracted by its unique combination of rigorous academic standards and a genuinely supportive community, as well as the fantastic quality of life here."
- Manuel Frei: "I completed both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Economics and Quantitative Finance at the University of Zurich. Alongside my studies, I worked as a Research and Teaching Assistant at the Department of Economics. After finishing my Pre-Doctoral position with Professor Mathias Hoffmann, I decided to join the Department of Finance and the Swiss Finance Institute for my PhD, as I could not imagine a place that offers better opportunities for both personal and professional growth."
- Melanie Heldenberg: "I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics with a specialization in Finance, and my Master’s degree in Quantitative Finance at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. My thesis on stock selection and forecasting of stock returns continues to shape my research interests and professional practice."
- Andrea Iannello: "I obtained my Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Bonn. Before starting my PhD, I worked at the Deutsche Bundesbank and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. I decided to join the Department of Finance at the University of Zurich and the Swiss Finance Institute because they provide an ideal environment to pursue my research ambitions within a supportive and collaborative community, offering numerous opportunities to engage with leading scholars and grow as a researcher."
- Vuk Jovovic: "I completed my Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Montenegro, where I also obtained my Master's degree in Theoretical Mathematics. During that time, I worked for two years as a Teaching Assistant at the same university and completed a summer internship at CERN. Following my Master's studies, I decided to move towards a more applied field, and finance appeared to be a natural choice. I chose the University of Zurich because it is a highly respected institution known for its strong academic reputation and supportive community of peers and professors."
