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. It has more than 10 years of experience in lymphatic reconstructive surgery, was 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 robotic‑assisted microsurgery/supermicrosurgery workflows and translational lymphatic biology, focusing on lymphatic reconstruction. The fellow is integrated into a high‑volume academic plastic surgery service and a structured research program that links surgical innovation to lymphatic science. The fellowship has a 60 % clinical and 40 % research focus to maximize the benefits of this dedicated time. The fellowship is unpaid. Accommodation in Zurich will be organized and sponsored by the fellow. The language during the fellowship is English; German language knowledge is helpful.
Fellowship Types
Track A: Clinical Fellow – Lymphatic Surgery (6 months, hands‑on clinical practice under supervision). Designed for candidates who can legally participate in patient care in Switzerland, enabling hands‑on clinical practice under supervision.
Track B: Observership Fellow (3 months, observer status; no medical practice). Designed 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 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 laboratory 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 laboratory 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.
Benefits
This fellowship offers a structured academic environment, access to cutting‑edge robotic microsurgery training, and incorporation into a translational research program. It provides dedicated research time, scientific mentorship, and participation in a comprehensive clinical curriculum.
For further information or questions, please contact us at pch@usz.ch.
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