Clinical Fellowship in Robotic Lymphatic Microsurgery & Lymphatic Biology 80-100% — Universitätsspital Zürich (USZ)

Full description

USZ Campus

Start date: June 1, 2026 or by agreement

The Clinic of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery at the University Hospital Zurich is providing the full spectrum of plastic and reconstructive surgery, hand surgery, burn care and sarcoma surgery. Our 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
• 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

• 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
• 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)
• 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.

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.

More benefits

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