Your onboarding guide
Getting Started at D‑INFK
A guide for new scientific staff at D-INFK, compiled by VMI to help you navigate your first steps at ETH Zurich.
Quick Reference
Welcome Guides
AVETH Welcome Guide
The AVETH Survival Guide covers everything from residence permits and health insurance to social life in Zurich. An essential read for anyone new to ETH.
VMI Welcome Brochure
Our own welcome brochure with D-INFK-specific information about your department, facilities, and how VMI can help you during your time here.
Joining VMI
Become a VMI Member
VMI represents all scientific staff (doctoral students, postdocs, senior scientists, and senior assistants) at D-INFK. Membership is free and gives you access to our newsletter, events, and representation within the department.
To join the mailing list and stay informed, email vmi-contact@lists.inf.ethz.ch .
Academic Life
Teaching Duties
Doctoral students are expected to assist with teaching. Your workload is tracked using a point-based system via the HAT tool — typically around one course per semester.
Open HAT toolAptitude Colloquia
At the end of your first year you present your doctoral plan at the aptitude colloquium. This is a key milestone in your doctoral journey at D-INFK.
D-INFK doctoral studiesPractical Information
Printing
ETH provides Webprint for printing from any device. Find your nearest printer using the location tool.
Booking Rooms
Reserve meeting rooms and spaces at D-INFK through the department booking system.
Book a roomSoftware Shop
ETH provides free or discounted software licenses through the IT shop, including MATLAB, Microsoft Office, and more.
Open IT shopFinding Help
Counseling & Support
AVETH provides confidential counseling for academic and personal issues. VMI also offers a helpdesk for D-INFK-specific concerns.
Tech Support
ISG (Informatikdienste) handles IT infrastructure, accounts, network, and hardware support for D-INFK.
Contact ISGAdditional Resources
Corporate Design
ETH provides templates and guidelines for presentations, posters, and documents that follow the university's corporate design.
ETH Corporate DesignFloor Plans
Find your way around ETH buildings with the official floor plan and room location tool.
ETH floor plans