Counseling Helpdesk
Founded in 2020, the D-CHAB Counseling Helpdesk is a safe space to ask questions and to share your concerns in a strictly confidential environment. We assist in mediation and provide answers to department- or employment-related questions. We are here to support you in difficult times.
Our purpose
At the D-CHAB Counseling Helpdesk, we aim to help you to find solutions in early stages of conflicts on academic, administrative or personal issues.
We would be happy to help answering any question you might have regarding rights and working condition regulation by ETH Zurich and/or Swiss government. We can provide you with information and refer you to the appropriate centers if more specialized help is needed. No action will be taken all along the process without your prior consent. We are here to listen and support, in a confidential way.
Contact
Feel free to contact any of our volunteers via e-mail or telegram to setup a face-to-face confidential conversation or write your question directly.
Andrea Eggeling (VAC)
Telegram: andrea_helpdesk
Hello, I am Andrea! It is very important to me to keep a sane work-life balance in such a demanding, time- and energy-consuming job like the doctorate. In my free-time I play volleyball, love hiking, riding my road bike, cross-country skiing and many more things related to nature. I am very happy to help with any challenges that you may encounter during your time here at D-CHAB.
Eva-Maria Manz (PSA)
Telegram: EvaMaria_helpdesk
Hi, my name is Eva-Maria! I am fascinated by the world of RNA and the role of secondary structure in gene regulation. To maintain a work-life balance, I like to workout and to challenge myself, so recently I signed up to run a marathon. I know I am not alone, both in doing a PhD and running a marathon, and having someone to talk to or getting support, is very valuable. If you want to chat, have questions or need help - just send me a message, I am happy to help!
Luca Schlotheuber (PSA)
Telegram: luca_helpdesk
Hi, I am Luca, from the help desk. I enjoy skiing, running and a sort of weird cross-section of sports. Besides, I am a go-to, ready to start something new kind of person which explains some of my recent cooking agendas (although the quality needs to be improved, I was told). In this spirit I believe we should not take ourselves too seriously. The doctorate can be stressful not only physically, but also mentally draining and can feel overwhelming and too much for one person, so I have found taking everything with a bit of humor helps. Aside from humor, it's important that you don't have to solve everything by yourself. You can always reach out to us. We are happy to support or help if you are struggling or even just to talk, so don't be shy.
Seraphine Zhang (WiNS)
Telegram: Seraphine_helpdesk
Hi, I am Seraphine. I am a PhD in heterogeneous catalysis and very passionate about my research. While we want to push the boundaries of cutting-edge research, the PhD can be a very stressful experience at times. Being a woman in a male-dominated field can be overwhelming and often makes me feel alone and like an outsider who doesn’t belong. I believe talking over issues and getting a different perspective can go a long way. Outside of work, I am a big fan of the arts, whether it is fashion, the latest exhibition at the Beyeler foundation or the art of ancient greek philosophy. You can also find me in the ASVZ with my favorites being Yoga and Tennis. Feel free to reach out to me, I am happy to listen and support you.
Johannes Bader (PSA)
Telegram: johannes_helpdesk
Hi, my name is Johannes, nice to meet you! I am in my last year of PhD studies… and what a journey it has been so far… with mountain-top experiences and valley lows. Most importantly I came to the realization that my work doesn’t define who I am (side note: I am still passionate about my research topic). That takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders in a scientific world where we have to function, compete with others and deliver at the end of the day. Know this: as scientists we are pioneers and tend to become individualists. But everyone needs (a little) help! Life is supposed to be lived in community and not in isolation. I am happy to listen to your problems, shine some light on them and find the best solution for everyone!
Other services that might be helpful
If you would be more comfortable with asking your questions to an outsider of the department, you can write an e-mail to the AVETH counsellors. You can contact the peer-to-peer Counselling service when you need advice or just a talk about anything professional or personal related.
Counselling service provided by AVETH
The ombudspersons offer advice on the following topics: workplace conflict and conflict involving instructors. Whistle blowing in case of suspected illegal action by members of ETH Zurich. Other cases of breaches of ETH Zurich’s compliance guide.
The trusted intermediaries serve as contact persons for all questions of research integrity. Some examples include: authorship conflicts, suspected plagiarism in scientific publications, falsification and fabrication of data, problems with sharing data or handing them over when leaving ETH Zurich, conflicts of interest, insufficient support for junior scientist (in collaboration with the vice rector of doctoral studies)
Trusted intermediaries
You can contact the Professional external pagePsychological Counseling Service that provides professional counseling for students and doctoral students. These services are not available for postdocs.
Psychological Counseling Service
If you are bothered by bullying, harassment and discrimination, you can contact the specialized unit within ETH concerned with mutual respect or the specialist unit SSHE: Threats and violence, and external advice centre: Bullying, harassment and discrimination.
Respect campaign contact
SSHE campaign contact
Advice centre contact
external pageNightline Zurich, an independent help-line from students for students of ETH Zurich, UZH, ZHAW, ZHdK and PHZH, can be reached anonymously and confidentially during the semester from Monday to Friday 20.00-24.00 by phone and via e-mail or chat at www.nightline.ch.
Call nightline 044 633 77 77
Contact nightline
If you just started your doctoral studies or you are just low on social environment, you can contact the external pagebuddy system and they can provide you with some friendly students to talk and have a coffee with. This network of people provides a social environment to eliminate isolation from your life. As a doctoral student you can also contact the buddy system provided by AVETH which is based on the same system.
AVETH buddy system