Considering that 47% of the ETH PhD students are non-Swiss (a few of which might be German or Austrian though), I decided to try to suggest English for the communication in this matter, to reach all PhD students at ETH. As doctorate students we have a zwitter type relationship with ETH: on the one hand we enjoy the student status (Legi), unlike many of our fellow European PhD candidates - on the other hand, our contracts with ETH clearly state: "Dienstverhaeltnis: Wissenschaftl. Mitarbeiter". The reality is thus, as Moritz Kaelin stated (26.01.01, ETH Life), that we perform research and teaching for most of our time, just as all other academic emloyees of ETH. It is only since the credit point system got installed at ETH in 1998, that PhD students are asked to also TAKE classes. In order to meet the high standard of research excellence ETH is known for, we often have to work 70-hour weeks, plus taking classes. I will yet have to see the PhD student who works strictly 100% (on a 50% pay) and still gets all work done.

In comparison, the "big" neighbour Germany doesn't even employ PhD candidates on a student level. Often, the salary there (class "BAT II/2") is often also on a 50% employment basis. The major difference is, that ca. 2200 DM per month are by far less stressful to live on in Germany than ca. 2200 CHF are in Switzerland (especially in Zurich). This amount (see K. von Salis article, ETH Life 20.12.00) is, as has to be added, the approximate monthly gross salary for a first year PhD student on a 50% position.

Where does this money go? How do PhD students live? After talking with my fellow PhD students and from own experiences, I came to the following estimate: After all taxes and reductions from these ca. 2200,-, the take-home is ca. 1900,- in first year. If one reduces the cost of health insurance (ca. 250,-/month after 25 ys of age), rent and utilities (currently ca. 900,- for a one room apartment, if one is lucky), an amount of ca. 750,- a month remains.

From these ca. 750,- a month, ca. 125,- (23 x 5.50,-) for Mensa lunch, a Regenbogen ticket (70,-), for very good reasons a house and personal liability insurance (ca. 30,-/month), certain not-covered medical costs (esp. for women) have to be subtracted. This leaves ca. 500 CHF per month for clothes, food (breakfast/diner), travel outside of Zurich-city, personal costs (drug store articles, paper, stamps etc), and maybe the occasional personal spending: 16.7 CHF/day. I want to see how any other employees would buy diner, breakfast, clothes, etc for that amount.

After all we are employees of ETH, work >100%, and earn 50%. No wonder that 47% of the PhD students are recruited from outside of Switzerland, most returning home after graduation. This is for sure a great investment in the futures of other countries.