2023 Call
The thematic focal point for the 2023 call revolves around the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and around scenarios relating to planetary boundaries (Earth for All, 2022). We expect compelling proposals for practice-based research projects in the field of eco-social innovation. To ensure high-quality supervision, PhD projects should explore topics that align with the work of one of the Lucerne School of Art and Design's four research groups, and with the NID’s key research areas (crafts and culture, innovation, entrepreneurship) and PhD programme.
Depending on the proposal’s thematic focus, candidates admitted to the programme go on to pursue an independent, self-funded doctorate or will be integrated in a research group at the Lucerne School of Art and Design, and have their dissertation partially funded through a paid position:
Find a full list of guides and their focal points here. Based on the proposal submitted, the selection committee decides whether supervision and, with it, acceptance to the PhD programme can be offered.
For the 2023 Call, a maximum of 3 PhD candidates will be admitted. There are no fully funded doctoral positions in SNSF projects advertised in this call.
Definitive dates and times are subject to change. For questions, please contact the Programme Management.
Eligibility Criteria
- Education of 17 years or more, either Master's degree in Design or Bachelor's degree in Design with three years of professional Design experience
- Language skills: Advanced English skills (C1/C2) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Candidates must show a demonstrable interest in a research area that aligns with the thematic research foci at the NID and HSLU
- Details on the admission criteria are provided in NID’s PhD Handbook and the programme ordinances.
Proposal
Candidates are required to submit, a research proposal in English that is approximately 2000-3000 words in length and reflects on the proposed research project. Required content:
- Overview of the broader field of study or general background, on the context of the research
- Literature review illustrating the context of the research, including a list of references and/or a bibliography
- Research problem and scope of the proposed project
- Rationale for and the significance of the study
- Research questions and objectives of the study
- Approach/methodology to be followed
- Candidate’s skills, knowledge and research or work experience relevant to the study
- The research project’s potential contribution to knowledge formation in the chosen field
- Presentation of how practice and research objectives relate to each other
In addition, the following information must be enclosed (in the same document, in addition to the 2000-3000 words):
- CV: 2 pages maximum or link to online profile
- Funding plan:
o Specification of the desired financing model: HSLU working-time model or self-funding
o Project financing plan for any additional project costs incurred for materials, travel, etc. (optional)
- Portfolio (optional: only if available):
o Showcase of prior practice-based research and/or art/design practice (add download link to proposal)
The NID will use anti-plagiarism software to verify the originality of the proposals submitted.
For detailed information on the proposal, refer to the NID’s
PhD Handbook.
Admission Process
The multi-stage selection process is conducted by the NID and exclusively takes place online. Both the NID and the HSLU are represented on the selection committee. The formal correctness of the proposals submitted is verified according to the requirements and thematic alignment with the key research areas of either university and the candidate’s potential guides. Candidates who meet the criteria will be admitted to the admission process at the NID and present their proposal in an online interview. Candidates with less than 15 years of work experience must also pass a written test (Design Research Test). After successfully passing the test, candidates are invited for the interview. Cf. the
PhD Handbook.
Programme Start
Admitted candidates will begin their doctoral studies on 18 September 2023. The first module will be delivered at the NID in December/January 2023/2024. In person attendance is mandatory.
Important information on the enrolment at the NID
Candidates admitted to the PhD programme must enrol at the NID and submit a range of documents. The NID will inform the candidates by e-mail in due course. For the enrolment, it is helpful to obtain the following documents early - preferably immediately after the submission of the proposal:
- Birth certificate
- All (post-)graduation certificates (degrees/diplomas) as well as school reports/certificates including the mark sheets from the 10th school year onwards
- First and last page of valid passport
- Written confirmation of the current employer (if applicable) agreeing to the candidate’s participation participate in the doctoral programme (“NOC - no objection certificate”)
- Official certificate of equivalence from the Association of Indian Universities for the recognition of foreign educational qualifications.
For questions and further information, please directly contact the NID.
