Overview
The Clinic of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery at the University Hospital Zurich provides the full spectrum of plastic and reconstructive surgery, hand surgery, burn care and sarcoma surgery. The clinic has more than 10 years of experience in lymphatic reconstructive surgery, has been among the earliest adopters of robotic microsurgery worldwide and possesses a solid research foundation, ranging from basic to translational and clinical research.
Fellowship purpose
This 3-6 month advanced fellowship trains surgeons and physician-scientists in (1) robotic-assisted microsurgery / supermicrosurgery workflows and (2) translational lymphatic biology, with a focus on lymphatic reconstruction. The fellow is integrated into a high-volume academic plastic surgery service and a structured research program linking surgical innovation to lymphatic science. The fellowship has been designed with a 60% clinical and 40% research focus to maximize the benefits of this dedicated time.
The Fellowship is unpaid. The accommodation in Zurich will be organized and sponsored by the fellow. The language during the Fellowship is English. German language knowledge is found to be helpful.
Fellowship Types
Track A: Clinical Fellow Lymphatic Surgery, 6 months (hands-on clinical practice under supervision). Track A is designed for candidates who can legally participate in patient care in Switzerland, enabling them to have hands-on clinical practice under supervision.
Track B: Observership Fellow, 3 months (observer status; no medical practice). For candidates who do not meet Swiss recognition/authorization requirements. The observer fellow is fully integrated into the daily clinical routine and operating theater, but without the right to perform in any surgery/ medical procedure.
Your main tasks
Track A
Supervised participation in outpatient clinics, perioperative care, and operating theatre activities
Progressive clinical entrustment based on competency milestones (assistant → key procedural steps → selected cases under direct supervision)
Participation in journal clubs and skills lab training
Active research participation including lab meetings and data presentation
Track B
Structured shadowing of clinical routine including ward rounds and outpatient clinics (observer role)
Observation in the operating theatre
Participation in journal clubs and skills lab training
Research participation including lab meetings and data presentation
Both Tracks
Attendance at rounds, conferences, teaching sessions, and educational activities organized by the host clinic
Participation in the core curriculum:
Robotic microsurgery / supermicrosurgery training
Simulation modules (dry- and wet-lab)
Case-based clinical learning
Operating room workflow orientation
Exposure to lymphatic surgery patient evaluation and treatment pathways
Assigned research project(s) based on fellowship duration and qualifications
Scientific mentorship and dedicated research time
Participation in consultations and surgical schedule (as permitted by track status)
Your profile
Track A
Medical degree enabling eligibility for clinical participation in Switzerland
Willingness and responsibility to obtain MEBEKO recognition of medical diploma prior to fellowship start
Ability to work in a supervised clinical environment
Interest in lymphatic surgery and microsurgical innovation
Track B
Medical or scientific background relevant to the fellowship field
Interest in clinical observation and research participation
Eligibility to participate in the fellowship in an observer capacity (no patient care activities)
Both Tracks
Proficiency in English (working language of the fellowship)
German language skills considered an advantage
Strong motivation to engage in surgical education and research
Interest in lymphatic reconstruction and translational science
Ability to participate in academic meetings, teaching sessions, and research activities
Further information
Supervision
Named fellowship mentors within the Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery (USZ):
Clinical part: Prof. Dr. med. Nicole Lindenblatt, Dr. med. Jennifer Ashley Watson, Dr. med. Carmen Elena Zurfluh
Research part: Prof. Dr. med. Nicole Lindenblatt, PD Dr. med. Epameinondas Gousopoulos
Evaluation
Quarterly review: operative logbook (Track A), skills assessments (simulation), research milestones, and professionalism goals.
Fellowship completion requirements: (i) documented competency portfolio, (ii) at least one manuscript submitted (or a complete study protocol with ethics submission).
Deliverables & Outcome
Graduates will be able to integrate robotic microsurgical workflows into reconstructive practice and translate lymphatic biology into clinically meaningful innovation. Upon completion of the Fellowship, all Fellows will be part of the Fellows' Academy, a tool of professional networking, future collaborations, and a discussion forum for the future leaders of the field.
Application Process
Please send your application via e-mail, including
a motivation letter
a max. 3 page CV
your publication list (highlighting first or last authorship)
a copy of your medical diploma
a copy of your specialization title, EBOPRAS certificate and/or other relevant titles.
(optional) a copy of your German language certificate
Applications will be evaluated throughout the year in a periodic manner. Upon initial evaluation, an interview will be scheduled with selected candidates.
Mail pch@usz.ch
Benefits
On-site Day Care Center
Your child/children receive(s) loving care at our Day Care Center. Long opening hours, no vacation closure, and subsidized childcare places at five locations relieve the burden on working parents.
Health
We help you to stay healthy. In addition to personal consultations and courses offered by Health Management, subsidized annual membership of ASVZ gives you access to more than 120 different sports.
Flexibility
We support a healthy work-life balance: almost half of our employees work part-time and 50% of work can be done from home, whenever their daily professional duties permit this.
Family friendliness
Mothers are entitled to at least six months' maternity leave (on their full salary for 16 weeks), and fathers are entitled to at least two months' paternity leave (on their full salary for two weeks).
Further education & development
We accompany our employees throughout their professional career and support them in their development by offering them personalized career and further education opportunities.
Insurance
We pay 60% of our employees' pension fund contributions and can offer them special supplementary insurance conditions.
Mobility
Our employees benefit from a discounted personal Zurich Transport Network (ZVV) annual travelcard or receive a fixed cash amount towards a GA Travelcard.
Telephony
As a USZ employee, you and your family members benefit from special conditions for your private cell phone contract.
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