USYS Helpdesk
About us
The D-USYS helpdesk was founded in 2022 by volunteers from the association of academic staff of the Department Environmental Systems Science (VMUSYS) to create a new safe space to ask questions and to share your concerns in a strictly confidential environment. We assist in guidance and provide answers to department- or employment-related questions. We are here to listen and support you in difficult times.
Our purpose
At the D-USYS helpdesk, we would be happy to help to answer any questions you might have regarding rights and working condition regulations by ETH and/or the 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 along the process without your prior consent. We are here to listen and support, in a confidential manner.
Contact
Feel free to contact us to set up a face-to-face confidential conversation or write your question directly in the email:
Members
Other services
AVETH counselling
The D-USYS helpdesk is part of the AVETH Counselling team. If you would be more comfortable with asking your questions to an outsider of the department, you can write your email to . You can contact the peer-to-peer counselling service when you need advice or just a talk about anything professional or personal related.
Ombudspersons
The ombudspersons offer advice on the following topics: workplace conflict and conflict involving instructors. Whistleblowing in case of suspected illegal action by members of ETH Zurich. Other cases of breaches of ETH Zurich’s compliance guide. Please see Ombudspersons and trusted intermediaries for more information.
Trusted intermediaries
The trusted intermediaries 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 scientists (in collaboration with the vice-rector of doctoral studies)
Psychological counselling
You can contact the Professional Psychological Counselling Service () that provides professional counselling for students and doctoral students. These services are not available for postdocs. An alternative for Postdocs and academic staff is the MeWell Community, a non-profit organization that promotes mental health in academia. Events and mental health advice can be found on their website.
Bullying, harassment, and discrimination
If you are bothered by experiencing inappropriate behaviour such as bullying, harassment, and discrimination, you can contact the specialized unit within ETH concerned with mutual respect. You can also contact the specialist unit SSHE: Threats and violence, or the external advice centre: Bullying, harassment, and discrimination.
- Respect campaign contact:
- SSHE campaign contact:
- Advice centre contact:
Nightline
Nightline Zurich is an independent help-line from students for students of ETH, UZH, and other academic institutions in Zurich like ZHAW, ZHdK, and PHZH. You can reach them anonymously and confidentially during the semester from Monday to Friday 20:00 to 24:00 by phone (044 633 77 77), via e-mail () or chat.
Buddy system
If you just started your doctoral studies or you are just low on social interactions, you can contact the buddy system and they can provide you with some friendly students to talk to 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.