finding phd position

• PhD in USA – A Guide for 2020/21
• Finding a PhD

A PhD in USA takes approximately 5 – 6 years of full-time study and can cost between $12,000 – $45,000 per academic year. PhD programs in USA differ from that in the UK and Europe in that students must first take taught classes, coursework and exams before starting their research project.

Why Do a PhD in USA?

The United States has long had some of the most distinguished universities and advanced PhD programmes in the world. Combined with curriculum flexibility, rigorous teaching methods, vast funding opportunities, breathtaking campuses and significant career prospects, it’s no wonder that it is one of the most sought-after study destinations for research students.

In addition to comprehensive training standards, here are a few other reasons why a student may choose to undertake their PhD in the United States:

• Longer learning timeframes – A PhD in the US lasts longer than a PhD in the UK or Europe. This allows students to more confidently transition from undergraduate to postgraduate studies; more commonly referred to as ‘graduate studies’ in the US. This gives you the opportunity to learn more about your subject, research methods and academic writing in general before starting your research project.
• World-class universities – It’s no secret that some of the most well-known higher education institutions that continue to dominate global rankings are based in the United States. Although many factors go into determining whether a position is right for you, a PhD at a high-ranking American university will undeniably have many benefits, from excellent learning standards to access to innovative equipment and deep expertise.
• International network – The US has long been a popular choice among PhD students around the world. As such, the US hosts a diverse and multicultural learning environment in which many research students will quickly feel at home.
• Opportunities – With over 4,000 universities in the US, we can safely say you will have plenty of opportunities to find the ideal combination of project, supervisor and university that works for you.

Universities in USA

Universities in the United States can be divided into two types: public universities and private universities.

Public universities are financed by the state in which they are based. Because of this, public universities charge less for students from within the state and more for students from outside the state, including international students.

Private universities are not financed by their state, but by private donors, research funds and tuition fees. For this reason, private universities generally charge higher tuition fees than public universities and require all students to pay the same amount, regardless of whether they come from out-of-state or abroad.

According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 , eight of the top ten universities in the world are located in the United States. These are:

Method of Study

The main difference between a PhD in the US and a PhD in Europe lies in the program structure. Whereas a European PhD essentially consists of a single phase lasting three to four years , an American PhD consists of three different phases, each with its own time frame.

• Phase One – The first phase lasts approximately two years and focuses on building a basic foundation for the doctoral student. This phase consists largely of taught components such as lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions, in which the student learns more about theoretical concepts and research methods within their discipline.
• Phase Two – The second phase can be considered an assessment phase, which runs both periodically alongside and at the end of the first phase. Here, students complete coursework and take exams on the basis of the material they have covered of which they must pass in order to proceed to the third phase.
• Phase Three – The third phase lasts approximately three years and resembles the European PhD structure. During this period, the student undertakes an independent research project, including forming a research design, conducting experiments, writing a thesis (more commonly referred to in the USA as a dissertation) and sitting a viva exam.

Teaching Requirements

Besides structure, a key difference between a PhD program in the US and in Europe is the focus on teaching requirements. In the US, doctoral students are expected to lecture, lead tutorials, host laboratory sessions, mark coursework and provide office hours for undergraduate students. Although students studying in European will likely contribute to these at some point during their study, this would normally be on a voluntary basis and involve less time commitment.

Research Flexibility

Another difference is project flexibility. In Europe, students typically apply to a PhD project predetermined by a supervisor, and although there may be some scope to adapt the project, depending on the funding provider , it will usually be limited to how the project is carried out rather than what it is about. In the US, however, a student applies to become a doctoral candidate within a department rather than applying for a particular research project. This is because students are expected to decide on their thesis topic (also commonly referred to as a dissertation research topic) near the end of their first phase after they have developed a better understanding of their subject and know where their interests lie. Therefore, research students in the US generally have more flexibility and influence in the direction of their research than students in the United Kingdom or Europe.

PhD Admission Requirements in USA

PhD admission into US universities can be highly competitive, both because of the limited number of positions and the large number of annual applicants.

The eligibility requirements for a doctoral program in the USA can generally be divided into four sections:

• Grade Point Average (GPA) – in the US, a scoring system known as Grade Point Average is used to measure academic ability. A student’s GPA is calculated as a weighted score of the subjects they study during their undergraduate degree; an equivalent score is calculated by universities for international applicants. Although universities rarely set minimum GPA requirements for doctoral study, it’s worth being aware that a GPA of 3.0 is equivalent to a UK second class honours (2:1); the typical entry requirement for UK universities.
• Graduate Records Exam (GRE) – most universities will require you to take a series of examinations known as Graduate Records Exams, which are used to determine your suitability for graduate study. GREs will assess your analytical, reasoning and critical thinking skills as well as your depth of your subject.
• Student aptitude – in addition to academic ability, US universities also look for characteristics of a strong researcher. These include traits such as engaging in the subject in your own time, e.g. by attending talks and conferences, demonstrating a high degree of independence and enthusiasm, and a general passion for your subject.
• English Language Proficiency – international students whose first language is not English must sit language exams such as IELTS or TOELF to demonstrate their English language proficiency.

International students will also require a F1 student visa in order to study in the US, however, you would typically apply for this after you have secured a place into a doctorate program.

How to Apply for PhD in USA

When applying for a PhD position at a graduate school, the application process will differ between universities, however, they will all typically ask for the following:

• Academic CV – a short document summarising your educational background and current level of experience .
• Personal statement – a document which outlines why you believe you are suitable for PhD study and your passion for the subject.
• Academic transcripts – a complete breakdown of the modules and their respective marks you have taken as part of your previous/current degree.
• GRE scores – a transcript of your Graduate Records Exam results.
• Research statement – a condensed version of a research proposal outlining your general research interests, if required.
• Recommendation letters – references from several academic referees who endorse your qualities as a person, your abilities as a student and your potential as a doctoral researcher.

Application Deadlines and Fees

Since PhD programs in the United States have taught components, they commence at the same time as all other taught degrees, and therefore share the same application deadlines and start dates. This corresponds to an application period that typically begins in August and ends in February. Admission decisions are typically made in April, with successful students starting in August/September.

When you apply to a graduate school, you will be expected to pay a fee for each doctorate application to cover the school’s administrative costs for processing your application. The fee varies from university to university, but typically ranges from $50 to $100 .

Funding your PhD in USA

It’s very common for a PhD student to receive financial aid in the form of a PhD scholarship; in fact, this will be the case for the vast majority of students in the US.

PhD funding can be ‘fully funded’ covering the student’s graduate program tuition fees, accommodation and living costs, or ‘partially funded’ covering the student’s tuition fee only in part or full.

Besides funding, a graduate student can take on an assistantship, such as a graduate teaching assistant or research assistant, in which they take on a part-time salaried position at the university alongside their studies.

Due to the international and collaborate nature of American universities, there are also a number of international scholarships available, such as the Fulbright Scholarship and the AAUW International Fellowship .

PhD Duration in USA

In the US, a PhD takes approximately 5 – 6 years to complete if studying full-time, and 8 – 10 years if studying part-time.

If you already have a Master’s degree, your first phase can be shortened by one year at the discretion of the university.

Cost of a PhD in USA

The cost of a PhD program in the US can vary considerably depending on the type of university, i.e. whether it’s a public or private university, the doctoral course, i.e. whether it’s in a STEM subject such as computer science, engineering or a non-STEM subject, and whether you are a home or international student.

In general, however, the typical annual tuition fee for a PhD in the US is between $12,000 and $45,000 per academic year.

As with any doctoral degree, additional costs may include travel for collaborations, bench fees, accommodation and living expenses.

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Find your PhD position in Germany

Before you start your search ....

Before you start your search you should know that there are different PhD models:

• Individual doctorate  or
• Structured PhD programmes

What's the difference? Check out our  overview of the various ways to do your PhD in Germany  

Find your individual doctorate

The "traditional" or "individual" path to a PhD remains the most common in Germany. An individual doctorate involves a thesis or dissertation that is produced under the  supervision of one professor . This form of PhD study offers a great deal of  flexibility , but demands a high degree of  personal initiative  and responsibility.

How to find your PhD supervisor

In Germany there is no central admissions or selection office for doctoral students. Therefore, your first step is to find a suitable professor who is willing to be your supervisor.

One way to find a supervisor is to look for a university institute that matches your area of research. The following online search engines might help you find a suitable supervisor:

• GERiT – German research institutions GERiT is a website containing information on approximately 29,000 research institutions in Germany. GERiT allows the user to search easily by location or subject. It provides all the information needed to choose an institution at which to research, study or do a doctorate. www.gerit.org
• Finding a PhD position PhDGermany publishes PhD openings in Germany that specifically target international applicants. Accordingly, in most cases the working language is English. Fluent knowledge of German is only required for certain special positions. PhDGermany helps you find the right PhD opening or supervisor for your doctoral thesis and assists you with the online application process. www.phdgermany.de
• Higher Education Compass   This database provides up-to-date information from universities about doctoral opportunities in Germany. The search engine enables you to carry out targeted searches on the basis of departments, admission requirements and form of doctoral thesis. www.higher-education-compass.de

Furthermore,  your contacts with your professors or previous university  could help direct you to a suitable department or potential supervisor in Germany.

It is also helpful to attend  academic conferences  in your own subject area. There you will be able to exchange information and make contacts ­– and perhaps even find a future PhD supervisor.

Find your structured PhD programme

DAAD/Ausserhofer/Himsel

Structured PhD programmes in Germany are frequently very similar to the PhD programmes in English-speaking countries, in which a  team of supervisors  look after a  group of doctoral students . Around 12,000 doctoral students from abroad – roughly one in four – do their PhDs in structured programmes. As a rule, it is possible to complete a doctorate in four to five years.

Where to find your PhD programme

There is no central database of all structured PhD programmes in Germany. You can usually find these programmes directly through the respective universities, graduate schools or non-university research institutions. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) database is also a good place to look. Here you will find a large number of PhD programmes that are specially aimed at international doctoral students.

International doctoral programme database

Are you interested in an international doctoral programme in Germany? This DAAD database presents a selection of roughly 230 international doctoral programmes in Germany. The database can be searched according to different criteria.  www.daad.de/international-programmes 

Doctoral programmes at universities

Many universities offer structured doctoral programmes, which they publicise on their websites. The Student Advisory Service or Graduate Centre at the respective university will also provide help here. You can find the relevant addresses using the Higher Education Compass provided by the German Rectors’ Conference. www.higher-education-compass.de

​​​​​​​DFG-funded research training groups

Research training groups are also funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, DFG) for a period of up to nine years. Their key emphasis is on the qualification of doctoral researchers within the framework of a focused research programme and a structured training strategy. www.dfg.de > Current Research Training Groups

Helmholtz Research Schools, Colleges and Graduate Schools

The Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organisation. In collaboration with various institutions of higher education, Helmholtz Association research centres have established structured PhD programmes under the auspices of Helmholtz Graduate Schools, Helmholtz Research Schools and Colleges.  www.helmholtz.de > PhD Candidates 

Leibniz Graduate Schools

The Leibniz Association connects 97 research institutes that conduct problem-oriented research and provide scientific infrastructure of national and international importance. Together with universities they run structured PhD programmes in Leibniz Graduate Schools. www.leibniz-association.eu > Leibniz Graduate Schools

International Max Planck Research Schools

The Max Planck Society specialises in innovative basic research and its institutes are able to offer up-and-coming researchers excellent infrastructure and support. The website lists the programmes available at International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS):  www.mpg.de > International Max Planck Research Schools  

Max Planck Schools

In Germany, the best researchers in a specific field are often work at different universities and non-university research institutions spread throughout the country. The Max Planck Schools serve as hubs which gather this distributed knowledge. Here, the brightest minds in their fields have come together from within the scientific community to interconnect in faculties made up of active researchers. Students gain access to these unique networks, learn in close personal exchange from leaders in their fields and their peers, and enjoy access to outstanding infrastructure. Currently, three Schools are operating in the fields of Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics. www.maxplanckschools.de

Where can I find out about requirements?

Application procedures  differ from programme to programme . The precise requirements and deadlines can be found on the website of the respective university, research training group or graduate school. You should therefore first choose a PhD programme and/or graduate school.

You've found the position you want to apply for, but how does applying to a potential supervisor or structured PhD programme work in Germany? Find out more here.

DAAD/Jan Zappner

We help you navigate through the large number of job portals that specialise in openings for academics and scientists. These are some of the sites that may get you started.

DAAD/Uta Konopka

Check out our brochure

Doing a phd in germany (2019, 40 pages).

This booklet for (prospective) international doctoral students presents the different options for doing a doctorate in Germany. It explains the formal requirements and gives some practical advice on finding the right supervisor or doctoral programme. It also outlines different sponsorship and funding options.

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How to Find Your PhD Position in Germany

Are you looking for a doctoral position in Germany? In the DAAD databases, you can find open PhD positions in all fields and all over Germany. When you have found an offer that matches your interests you can apply online at the offering university.

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Finding a Doctoral Position

How do i find a place as a doctoral student.

Unlike at many other universities, the doctorate at ETH Zurich is not organised via an overarching doctoral school. ETH Zurich mainly offers individual doctorates. Each potential doctoral thesis supervisor recruits their doctoral students themselves. In order to be able to complete a doctorate at ETH, a professor at ETH must be willing to supervise your dissertation. With few exceptions, doctorates are linked to a position at ETH or within the ETH-domain. The best way to apply for a doctoral position is to contact the professorship you are interested in directly. To do so, visit the website of the department where you would like to do your doctorate and contact the professors you are considering directly.

• chevron_right ETH departments
• chevron_right Doctoral study programmes

However, doctoral posts are also advertised:

• chevron_right Current vacancies at ETH Zurich
• external page call_made ETH get hired

Helpful information on the topic of applying for a doctorate at ETH is also available in the AVETH survival guide . In any case, please note that the Doctoral Administration does not arrange doctoral positions or mediates between candidates and doctoral thesis supervisors.

Are you already registered as a doctoral student at ETH? See here for further information .

> Contact the Doctoral Administration

When the PhD path leads to career struggles

A doctoral degree is a major commitment. Think carefully.

I appreciated reading Kara Miller’s The Big Idea column “PhD: Pretty heavily disappointed” (Business, May 22), about people with doctoral degrees struggling to build careers in academia. It made me think back to a conversation I had when I was about to graduate from high school.

I happened to run into a former track coach of mine, and as we were reminiscing he asked me what I planned as a major in college. “History,” I responded. He said, “Why don’t you take some computer classes also? It never hurts to be able to do something useful.”

I did not reflect on his motivation at the time, but my track coach was a young guy, and he was probably giving me advice straight from his own life, as a parent trying to raise his own young children. I did take computer classes in college and ultimately received a PhD in chemical engineering. I always remember that conversation as being a kind of turning point.

Earning a doctoral degree is a life commitment of great proportion. It can take, as Miller notes, between four and seven years. If we think of working life as roughly between the ages of 22 and 65, then a PhD requires more than 10 percent of a person’s working life. People need to think carefully about that investment.

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Two powerful arguments in favor of the path of science, technology, engineering, and math are that there tend to be more STEM jobs for PhDs, and many universities’ STEM departments are generous in covering their PhD students’ tuition and cost of studies, including a stipend toward food, rent, and other expenses.

Stuart Gallant

Not much has changed in 30 years

As I prepared to graduate in 1995 with a doctor of education degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, my mother memorably said to me, “Of my four children, you are the one with the most education and the smallest salary.” Apparently not much has changed in 30 years.

I must congratulate these students, however, on following their passion rather than following the money. I can’t help but think that their lives, though stressful, may contain greater happiness.

Peggy Clark

Lawyers & electricians & philosophers, oh my!

Kara Miller’s column on the career challenges for people with doctoral degrees generated more than 260 comments on Boston.Globe.com. The following is an edited sample of readers’ reactions:

Lots of law school grads are underemployed as well. (PL)

So true, PL. The market in Massachusetts is flooded with talented lawyers seeking work. (Roforma)

Supply and demand, the market at work. (guk)

Investing in education and research in all fields is the hallmark of a society with staying power. Disinvesting from these endeavors signals decline and decay. (Massachusetts citizen)

Electricians, plumbers, mechanics, and other skilled technical professions have no problems getting $100k jobs with great benefits. (ramsen)

Not enough turnover from tenured professors, leaving little space for new faculty. Although the tenured, well-established professors are needed, it’s the junior faculty who are hungry and with new ideas that help build new programs. The whole graduate program model is a bad model. I worked two jobs, had my tuition and some type of minimal student health insurance and could barely cover the rent with my stipend, and the second job paid for everything else. Though I was working on many faculty projects, it was the faculty who said this would be good for me. Never did they say it was also good for them. (TravelerofNJ2)

I just retired from a tenured faculty position in science. I’m in my early 70s. I have colleagues who are still doing what they do well into their 70s, a couple approaching 80. There is no active incentive from the university to move the older faculty on, to make way for a new generation. (Lola-lola)

The next step is for adjuncts to go on strike across the nation and hold colleges and universities accountable. The current system is completely absurd. (Wordsmith2358)

Universities should be required to release disclosure data about the fate of their PhD graduates. (davidman820)

I knew an attorney who managed a Cheesecake Factory. She had worked in food services through school. As an attorney, she really did not make that much money and was not doing the field of law of her choice. How many real estate closings can you do without dying of boredom? She went into management in the food industry and makes the same salary. (Antietem)

It was always a question and puzzling to me why people study philosophy. (Blazer27)

Globe Opinion

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34 PhD jobs in Switzerland

Find PhD jobs in Switzerland here. To have jobs sent to you the day they're posted, sign up for job alerts.

• PhD positions in Zurich (19)
• PhD positions in Dübendorf (6)
• PhD positions in Basel (5)
• PhD positions in Geneva (1)
• PhD positions in Lugano (1)
• PhD positions in Birmensdorf (1)
• PhD positions in St. Gallen (1)

Other countries

• PhD positions in Belgium (154)
• PhD positions in Netherlands (96)
• PhD positions in Sweden (54)
• PhD positions in Luxembourg (26)
• PhD positions in Germany (25)
• PhD positions in France (17)
• PhD positions in Finland (14)
• PhD positions in Austria (11)
• PhD positions in Norway (10)
• PhD positions in Israel (4)

Search results (34)

Doctoral (PhD) Student Positions in Control for Advanced Manufacturing

Doctoral (PhD) Student Positions in Control for Advanced ManufacturingWith our cutting-edge research, ETH Zürich's around 12’000 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society ...

2 PhD positions in immersive architectural design and spatialized sound

2 PhD positions in immersive architectural design and spatialized soundThe Immersive Models research project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between Gramazio Kohler Research at the Federal In...

PhD student for the further development and validation of a novel sensor selection methodology for autonomous driving applications

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. ...

Doctoral Position in European Global Studies

The University of Basel has an international reputation of outstanding achievements in research and teaching. Founded in 1460, the University of Basel is the oldest university in Switzerland and ha...

International Fully Funded PhD Positions in the Life Sciences in Switzerland

*New application deadlines for two open calls per year: November 1 and May 1!Life Science Zurich Graduate School offers more than 100 funded PhD positions. With around 500 research groups and more than 1600 Ph.D. students, the Life Science Zurich ...

PhD Position in Digital Identities for Regenerative Materials

PhD Position in Digital Identities for Regenerative MaterialsThe Chair of Circular Engineering for Architecture (CEA) at ETH Zurich is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual to fill a ...

PhD position in Hybrid Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics with Ge semiconductor QDs and high impedance superconducting resonators

PhD position in Hybrid Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics with Ge semiconductor QDs and high impedance superconducting resonatorsWe are excited to announce a unique opportunity for a highly motivated P...

Ph.D. in the Area of AI-Enabled Precision Health

Deadline: June 30th, 2024The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) has opened a full time (100%) position for a PhD student in AI-enabled Precision Health at the Department of Innovative Technologies (DTI) located...

PhD Position / Assistantship in Social Anthropology (60%)

The Program of Social Anthropology at the University of Basel, Switzerland, is searching for a doctoral fellow with a strong training in - and innovative ideas for - the theory and methods of socio...

Clinical Research Position in Paediatric Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery University Hospital Basel

Applicants are invited for a 1-year full-time research position in paediatric craniofacial malformations at the Clinic for Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel. The star...

PhD Researcher in Labour Economics

PhD Researcher in Labour EconomicsThe KOF Swiss Economic Institute at the ETH Zurich is the leading institute for applied research in economics in Switzerland. The labour market division at KOF Swi...

PhD position in dynamics of quantum materials under pressure

PhD position in dynamics of quantum materials under pressureThe Quantum Material Dynamics group (Prof. Elsa Abreu) in the Department of Physics of ETH Zürich has an open PhD position in dynamics of...

PhD on Occupant-centric flexibility quantification and dispatch

Phd candidate to investigate the impact of consumer flexibility on planning of multi-energy districts, phd position in machine learning seismology.

PhD Position in Machine Learning SeismologyThe Swiss Seismological Service (SED) at the Department of Earth Sciences at ETH Zürich invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in Mac...

PhD Position in Self-assembled Colloidal Micromachines

PhD Position in Self-assembled Colloidal MicromachinesWe welcome applications for a PhD position in the field of interface and colloids science. The position will be based in the Multi-Scale Roboti...

Doctoral (PhD) student in Integrated planning and operation of energy systems

Doctoral (PhD) student in Integrated planning and operation of energy systemsThe Automatic Control Laboratory of ETH Zurich is a community of approximately 50 researchers working on the development...

PhD position in the field of Quantum Machine Learning (Prof. A. Lucchi, Dr. Stefan Woerner and Dr. David Sutter)

The University of Basel (Prof. Aurelien Lucchi) and IBM Research Zurich (Dr. Stefan Woerner and Dr. David Sutter) are seeking applications for a PhD position in Quantum Machine Learning. This posit...

PhD student position in Practical Philosophy

PhD student position in Practical PhilosophyThe ETH Professorship for Practical Philosophy in the department for Humanities, Social and Political sciences offers a PhD positions in practical philos...

PhD student in Physiological Sensing/BioEng

PhD student in Physiological Sensing/BioEngThe Sensing, Interaction & Perception Lab is looking for a PhD student in physiological sensing. This job ad is intentionally short and only complete appl...

PhD Position in Digital Health Technologies for Combined TMS-NIRI Neurotherapy in Stroke Rehabilitation

PhD Position in Digital Health Technologies for Combined TMS-NIRI Neurotherapy in Stroke RehabilitationThe Rehabilitation Engineering Lab (RELab) at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology...

Two PhD positions in Atmospheric Sciences 100%

The Atmospheric Science group at the Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Switzerland, is looking for two PhD student candidates. Our research focuses on chemical processes in...

2 PhD Positions: Designing intelligence in battery-less micromechanical structures

2 PhD Positions: Designing intelligence in battery-less micromechanical structuresIntelligent devices are everywhere (in sensors monitoring infrastructure, in medical prostheses, wearables and smar...

PhD in Dendroclimatology 100% (f/m/d)

The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is part of the ETH Domain. Approximately 600 people work on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the ...

PhD position on combustion instabilities of hydrogen flames

PhD position on combustion instabilities of hydrogen flamesThe goal of this research is to investigate turbulent hydrogen-air combustion at elevated pressure. This research is relevant for decarbon...

PhD position in computer-aided catalyst design

PhD position in computer-aided catalyst designThe Digital Chemistry Laboratory is led by Prof. Dr. Kjell Jorner at the Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, within the Department of Chemistry a...

PhD Position in Nanocomposites for thermal management

Phd in decision support methods to foster regenerative construction solutions and increase resilience of vulnerable and underserved communities.

PhD in Decision support methods to foster regenerative construction solutions and increase resilience of vulnerable and underserved communitiesJoin our research team at ETH Zurich in a project desi...

PhD Researcher in Identification for Circular Construction

PhD Researcher in Identification for Circular ConstructionThe PhD Researcher will be an integral part of the research team working on the project "Intelligent Circular Construction" aimed at advanc...

PhD position in Personalized Comfort Systems

Jobs by field.

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• Belgium 277
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• Luxembourg 63

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• Mohammed VI Polytechnic Unive... 107
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• KTH Royal Institute of Techno... 73
• University of Luxembourg 62
• ETH Zürich 52
• University of Twente 40
• Eindhoven University of Techn... 36
• Karolinska Institutet 34

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Sociology and Criminology

Maybe it’s the trees: james wo on crime and the environment.

Associate Professor James Wo studies differences in crime rates among neighborhoods in towns and cities. His research shows how geography and the environment impact crime rates. Some neighborhoods in the same area have dramatically lower crime rates than others. Explaining why could help planners design cities that improve the quality of life for everyone.

James grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, and then completed college at the University of California-Irvine. He earned his PhD there in 2017 and started as an assistant professor in the sociology department at the University of Iowa that same year. In the seven years since, Professor Wo has published a wide variety of research articles in the top journals in criminology and sociology. 

He agrees that his experiences in quite different environments from Hawaii to Southern California to Iowa City shaped his research interests, but then he quickly points out the similarities between Hawaii and Iowa.  

“Hawaii is a special place,” he says. There are many cultures, races, ethnicities. And White is not the dominant one. There’s a constant exchange among different cultures, language, music, customs. Most people consider themselves to be more than one race or ethnicity. “You end up going to people’s homes and experiencing those different customs.” 

Then there is the historical backdrop of colonialism, he says. “For Hawaiians there’s a tension between staying true to our heritage and the tourist economy. People are welcoming of other people’s interests in Hawaii. It is a tolerant culture with friendly people, and I’ve felt welcome in Iowa City, too.” People in Iowa City are as welcoming and friendly as they are in Hawaii. 

Goals for Students and Teachers

James is a popular and dedicated professor who enjoys teaching both undergraduate and graduate students. For undergraduates, he likes to strike a balance between theory and practical applications. “Hopefully, I can provide them with one skill or tidbit of a theory they can use later,” he says. Students have so many different interests but here’s something they can all use. For example, how do you figure out percent increase or decrease in crime rates? It’s the same as calculating the percentage increase or decrease in the value of a house. “It’s a skill that benefits all students,” he says. The difference going from 4 to 6 is not the same as going from 28 to 30 but people have trouble explaining why. He says that in higher education it is important to teach more than knowledge of a subject, but to also teach higher-level skills. The ability to explain the reasons for the way things are and changes that could be made will help students in their future leadership positions.

“I urge graduate students to find their passion,” he says. Then find the person in your department that does the things you want to do and does them well. “It’s OK to be assertive.” That helps students learn the skills to be successful in any job. “Go out there and introduce yourself. Find the opportunities and grab them.”

At one point, his PhD advisor told James that while he was doing many things well and was a good copilot, it was time to think about the next step. His advisor asked whether he was ready to develop a new research question and take it all the way to a published article.

“It’s about being a good student but also about being a good supervisor.” Professor Wo says. He tries to give students hints rather than telling them what to do. “This comes from the heart,” he says. “I’m not trying to be a curmudgeon!” He says that people expect professors to be ready. That’s what earning a PhD means.

Designing Crime Out of Cities

His interest in how to design cities that produce less crime goes back to the old Sim City computer game when he was growing up. Professor Wo points out that a few people in relatively small areas of a city commit most of the crimes. He gives the Ped Mall in Iowa City as an example. When the university puts out a HawkAlert, it’s often for a crime in the Ped Mall, with its shops, bars, apartments, and people hanging out near the university. What city planners call mixed-use areas present more opportunities for crime. Urban planners promote walkability in cities to make them more livable, but crime often comes with it. He also says that walkability and safety are not mutually exclusive. Finding out how to have both livability and safety is the goal of his research.

There are many things that can be done, he explains. One of them is having people talk to each other more. Develop community organizations. Technologies like cameras and lighting can help but are best used together with social networking. Nowadays there are apps like NextDoor or even Facebook that work to help people communicate with their neighbors. 

Just putting a police officer on every corner probably won’t help make a neighborhood more livable, he points out. Many people are wary of the police, especially when marginalized people are unfairly targeted. A police presence can help, though, when residents and police share information. He says that it helps when policing is fair and judicious.

Professor Wo’s latest research studies the effect of “tree canopy coverage” on crime rates in an area. Through satellite imagery and some complicated modeling, the proportion of area covered by the crowns of trees is estimated. For an article published this year in the Journal of Urban Affairs, he worked with coauthors Sarah Malone and Ethan Rogers, both of whom were trained as graduate students in our department.

The idea is that neighborhoods with more trees might make the area more livable and also reduce crime. 

Results so far suggest that trees do seem to reduce the crime rate. Areas with more trees have less crime even when a study compares neighborhoods with similar income levels. Professor Wo’s research compared the effect of tree canopy over time for the same neighborhoods. His analysis produced strong evidence that more trees resulted in less crime. There are reservations, however. More trees were associated with less violent crime and the effect was substantial. But trees had no effect on property crime. In fact, motor vehicle thefts increased with tree canopy coverage in a neighborhood. And the crime-reducing effect of tree canopy coverage is largest in the most well-off neighborhoods which already have low crime rates.

Professor Wo proposes ways in which greenspace can be restorative for a community. Greenspace could add to a neighborhood’s social capital by signaling that it has amenities and people care about each other. Also, if greenspace calms people and is mentally restorative, then potential criminals might be less apt to commit crime. So planting more trees might help make a neighborhood more livable and also safer.

NOTICE: The University of Iowa Center for Advancement is an operational name for the State University of Iowa Foundation, an independent, Iowa nonprofit corporation organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable entity working to advance the University of Iowa. Please review its full disclosure statement.