For Students

This page contains practical information for students interested in PhD supervision, bachelor theses, master theses, semester papers, and recommendation letters.

I enjoy working with students who are curious about analysis and motivated to learn new mathematical tools. For an overview of the research directions, see the pages Research and Group.

PhD studies in Zürich

PhD applications are normally handled through the Zurich Graduate School in Mathematics. Students interested in working with me are welcome to contact me before applying, but the formal application should be submitted through ZGSM.

The Department of Mathematics at ETH Zürich, together with the University of Zürich, offers a very active research environment in analysis, PDEs, mathematical physics, probability, and related areas. Students are encouraged to attend seminars, graduate courses, and activities organized through the Zürich Graduate School in Mathematics.

When contacting me, please send a CV, transcripts, a short description of your mathematical background and interests, and, if available, a master thesis or another writing sample.

Postdocs

Postdoc openings related to specific grants or projects will be announced on my webpage. Informal inquiries are welcome.

Theses and semester papers

I enjoy mentoring students and I am happy to discuss possible projects. The best topics are usually chosen after a short discussion, taking into account both the student’s background and the current research directions of the group.

I receive many student requests, and I want to treat them as fairly as possible. Please follow the steps below when contacting me; incomplete requests may be redirected to this page.

What I supervise

Subject to availability, I supervise bachelor theses, master theses, and semester papers. Depending on the project, I may suggest co-supervision with a researcher currently in my group, which often provides more day-to-day scientific interaction while I remain involved in the overall direction and evaluation.

Due to the high volume of requests, I tend to prioritize ETH Zürich Mathematics students. However, I also consider inquiries from other departments, for example Physics, and from external institutions, provided the relevant background prerequisites are met.

When to contact me

Please contact me at the beginning of the semester preceding the semester in which you would like to start.

If you want to start in the Spring semester, write to me in early Autumn semester.
If you want to start in the Autumn semester, write to me in early Spring semester.
Reaching out early increases the chances that I can accommodate your request and that we can identify a suitable topic in time.

Background expectations

Bachelor thesis

Required: Analysis I-IV, Functional Analysis I.
Helpful, but not required: additional coursework in PDEs.

Master thesis

Strongly recommended: Functional Analysis II and/or a PDE course.
Other relevant advanced coursework is a plus.

Semester paper

Background requirements depend on the topic. As a guideline, expectations are typically similar to those for a bachelor thesis. If you are unsure, please still write and include your coursework.

How to contact me for supervision requests

When you email me, please include:

your intended start semester;
your program and affiliation;
a brief description of your mathematical background and interests;
your CV and transcript.

What happens next

If I have supervision capacity and there is a good match, we will schedule a short meeting to discuss possible topics, expectations, and any administrative steps. Unfortunately, I cannot supervise every request. If my supervision capacity is full for the requested semester, I will let you know as soon as possible.

Recommendation letters

I am happy to support students when I can write a strong and detailed recommendation based on direct academic interaction. These guidelines are meant to keep the process smooth and fair for everyone.

When I can write a letter

I can write a recommendation letter if at least one of the following applies:

you completed a bachelor thesis, master thesis, or semester paper with me;
you took a course or exam with me and obtained a grade of at least 5.5.

If I do not know your work well enough to write a strong letter, I may decline and suggest alternative referees.

When to ask

Please request a letter at least six weeks before the earliest deadline. Earlier is always appreciated, and late requests may not be possible to accommodate.

How to contact me for recommendation letters

Please send one email and keep my assistant in CC throughout: Alessandra Naldi. When you write, it helps a lot if you briefly mention where you are applying, the relevant deadlines, and how the letter is submitted, for example by portal or email. Please also remind me how we worked together, for example thesis, semester paper, or course and semester, and your grade if applicable. Please attach your CV and transcript. If you have them, you are also welcome to include drafts of your motivation letter or research statement. If there is anything in particular you would like me to highlight, feel free to add a short note.