Code
GE8000
Duration
2 years
Tuition
CHF 6,000
Intakes
Feb - Aug
Overview
The SIMS Postdoctoral Research Programme is built around an approved individual postdoctoral research project. It combines sustained independent research, academic mentorship, research collaboration, advanced research training, publication development and international scholarly engagement.
The programme brings together the structured research-development model of the SIMS Postdoctoral Researcher Programme and the intensive research-writing and peer-review method of the SPARK “Write a Research Paper in 72 Hours” initiative.
Programme Aims
Advance your research
Build knowledge and capability beyond doctoral training through sustained independent research and an original, valuable contribution to your field, practice or policy.
Strengthen your methods
Sharpen research design and qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods skills, with rigorous practice in literature review, analysis, interpretation and academic writing.
Publish and present
Prepare outputs for conferences, repositories and journal or book publication, with intensive writing activities that take you from research question to structured manuscript.
Connect internationally
Work with Research Advisers, experts and multidisciplinary working groups, and grow your career through collaboration, research leadership and future research planning.
§1 RESEARCH ROADMAP
24 months, three stages, one research project
Built around your approved project and guided by a Research Adviser. Each bar below shows when a stage runs across the 24-month programme.
Fig. 2 — Indicative timeline. Sprint timing is illustrative; one SPARK round or equivalent activity is offered each year.
STAGE 1 · MONTHS 1–6
Research Foundation & Development
Define, strengthen and establish the research project.
KEY ACTIVITIES
- Research-plan meeting
- Research Adviser assignment
- Working-group formation
- Literature review
- Research gap identification
- Research questions
- Methodology development
- Research ethics
- Masterclasses
- Initial writing and presentation
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
- Approved research plan
- Literature review
- Identified research gap
- Methodology framework
- Initial working paper
STAGE 2 · MONTHS 7–16
Research Implementation & Evidence
Conduct, analyse and critically discuss the research.
KEY ACTIVITIES
- Data collection / fieldwork where applicable
- Surveys / interviews where applicable
- Data preparation
- Data analysis
- Regular Adviser meetings
- Working-group presentations
- Peer review
- Conference / workshop participation
- International research engagement where available
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
- Research evidence / dataset where applicable
- Analytical findings
- Substantial working paper
- Conference / workshop presentation
STAGE 3 · MONTHS 17–24
Research Output & Dissemination
Complete, communicate and develop the research for publication.
KEY ACTIVITIES
- Final analysis and interpretation
- Adviser review
- Intensive research-writing activity
- Manuscript development
- Peer feedback
- Final presentation
- Publication strategy
- Proofreading
- Submission preparation
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
- Final research portfolio / report
- Publication-ready manuscript
- Dissemination record
- Submission package where appropriate
- Certificate of Completion
§2 SPARK INITIATIVE
Write a research paper in 72 hours
A guided, high-intensity writing sprint in working groups of up to five researchers — with real-time feedback from a Mentor. It complements, not replaces, your two-year project.
HOUR 0–24
Frame the study
Clarify the topic, write the introduction and literature review, define the methodology.
HOUR 24–48
Analyse & draft
Analysis, interpretation and a substantially complete draft — reviewed by your Mentor and group.
HOUR 48–72
Finalise & prepare
Finalise the manuscript and prepare materials for submission or further development.
§3 RESEARCH COMPONENTS
The elements of your postdoc
Seven components around one research project, each shown below with its symbol, purpose, activities and outputs.
research project
01 · Core
Postdoctoral Research Project
Purpose: To undertake independent and rigorous research that develops a meaningful contribution to knowledge, practice or policy.
Main activities: Research planning; literature review; research design; fieldwork/data collection where applicable; analysis; interpretation; writing; revision.
Research focus: A clearly defined research problem with appropriate academic significance, methodological rigour and potential contribution.
Expected outputs: Approved research plan; substantial working paper or equivalent; final research portfolio/report.
02 · Peer
Research Working Group & Mentorship
Purpose: An intellectually diverse environment for discussing research in progress, testing ideas and receiving constructive feedback.
Main activities: Regular working-group meetings; work-in-progress presentations; discussion of recent literature; peer review; methodological discussion; collaborative writing where appropriate.
Mentorship: Each researcher is assigned a designated Research Adviser, subject to academic suitability and availability.
Expected outputs: Working-group presentations; adviser feedback; peer-review records; collaborative output where appropriate.
03 · Method
Advanced Research Design & Methodologies
Purpose: To strengthen your ability to select, justify and apply appropriate methodologies to complex research problems.
Main activities: Research design; qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods; sampling; data collection; data analysis; methodological validity and limitations.
Project application: Methodological development is tailored to your approved project and discipline.
Expected outputs: Research design; methodology plan; analytical framework; methodological documentation.
04 · Ethics
Research Ethics & Good Research Practice
Purpose: To ensure research is conducted ethically, responsibly and with appropriate academic integrity.
Main activities: Research ethics; ethical approval where applicable; academic integrity; citation; authorship; data management; confidentiality; privacy; responsible use of research technologies and AI.
Expected outputs: Ethics documentation where applicable; data-management practices; research-integrity records.
Development: Responsible conduct of research and awareness of ethical and publication-related risks.
05 · Write
Academic Writing & Scholarly Publications
Purpose: To develop high-quality scholarly writing and prepare outputs for academic dissemination or publication.
Main activities: Academic writing; manuscript structure; literature synthesis; argument development; research presentation; journal/conference selection; peer feedback; revision; proofreading.
Intensive writing: May incorporate the SIMS–SPARK “Write a Research Paper in 72 Hours” model or an equivalent SIMS-approved activity, subject to the partnership arrangement.
Expected outputs: Working paper; publication-ready manuscript; submission package where appropriate.
06 · Share
Research Dissemination & Academic Engagement
Purpose: To communicate research findings and engage with academic and professional research communities.
Main activities: Conferences; seminars; workshops; roundtables; research discussions; academic presentations; guest lectures where appropriate.
Expected outputs: Conference presentation; seminar/workshop contribution; research presentation or other dissemination materials.
Development: Stronger academic communication, presentation and networking capabilities.
07 · Global
International Research Visit & Collaboration
Purpose: International research exposure and opportunities for cross-institutional academic collaboration.
Main activities: Short research visits; meetings with academic partners; conferences; workshops; research seminars; academic networking.
Availability: Subject to availability, academic suitability, host-institution arrangements and any additional costs.
Expected outputs: Research-visit plan and record; academic meetings; international research contacts; collaboration opportunities.
§4 LIVE FORMAT
Live masterclasses, never static lectures
Synchronised live sessions where fellows debate hypotheses, receive critique on their drafts and practise the publishing process — scheduled to suit working researchers across time zones.
- Topic 1SPARK Sprint I — 72-hour rapid draftingSprint
- Topic 2Epistemology & GenAI literature miningLive workshop
- Topic 3Peer review & statistical stress-testingWorking group
- Week 9–12AI scrutiny & submissionRound-table
§5 OUTPUTS & INTEGRITY
What you will produce — and how
REFERENCES · EXPECTED OUTPUTS
- 1Substantial working paper
- 2Publication-ready manuscript
- 3Conference or workshop presentation
- 4Research report, dataset or policy output
- 5Final research portfolio
Publication is encouraged but not guaranteed — acceptance depends on the external outlet.
RESEARCH ETHICS & ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
- Honest, responsible and transparent research
- Ethical approval where required
- Responsible data management and privacy
- Proper citation, acknowledgement and authorship
- Responsible use of research technologies and AI
§6 ADMISSION
Who can apply — and how
Admission is based on evidence that you have the academic preparation, research experience and professional capability to undertake advanced postdoctoral research. You need to meet all five entry criteria below.
Doctoral degree
A PhD, DBA, EdD or equivalent in a relevant discipline — or another doctoral-level qualification recognised by SIMS as equivalent.
Show it with: copies of your doctoral diploma and relevant academic qualifications
Research capability
Evidence that you can carry out research — a doctoral thesis, scholarly publications, research reports or equivalent research work.
Show it with: your thesis, publication list or previous research activity, where available
English for scholarly work
Enough English to use scholarly resources, take part in academic activities and write research outputs.
Benchmark: around IELTS 6.5
Research proposal
A preliminary research topic, project outline or proposal that is suitable for academic assessment.
Show it with: your proposed topic, outline or research proposal
Commitment
Willingness to take part in the programme and complete the agreed research milestones and academic activities.
Show it with: a statement of research interests and intended development
YOUR APPLICATION PACK
- Academic CV
- Copies of qualifications
- Research proposal
- Publications or research evidence
- Statement of research interests
- Letter of recommendation, where applicable
Relevant prior research and professional experience may be taken into account when defining your individual development plan. Doctoral candidates close to their defence may enquire with the admissions team.
ADMISSION PROCESS · FIVE STEPS
- 1Apply
Submit your application and supporting academic documents.
- 2Academic review
Review by the SIMS academic team and, where required, an interview.
- 3Topic & Adviser
Your research topic is approved and a Research Adviser is assigned.
- 4Research plan
Agree your individual plan, milestones and expected outputs.
- 5Enrolment
Enrol once admission and payment arrangements are confirmed.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS · ROLLING ADMISSION
Bring your research project to SIMS
Send your CV, qualifications and a preliminary research proposal. Once your topic is approved, we match you with a Research Adviser.
Start your application →Certificate of Completion — not an academic degree and does not confer a doctoral qualification.
