International PhD Program "Biozentrum PhD Fellowships Winter Call 26_2027

Excellent students from all over the world are encouraged to apply for the prestigious "Biozentrum PhD Fellowships" program. The aim of the fellowships which are sponsored by the Werner Siemens-Foundation and the University of Basel is to select and promote highly talented graduate students in the area of Life Sciences. The fellowships offer direct access to the PhD program of the Biozentrum, University of Basel, additional financial support, a rotation-based selection of the research group, and support for the attendance of scientific meetings and courses during the PhD.

Your privacy is important to us.

When you apply through our system, you have to provide personal information in the course of the evaluation process. Have a look at our data privacy policy to find out how we handle and protect your data.

By submitting the data in this form, you are consenting to this policy.

Important notes:

  • Save to Start: Once you save your application for the first time, you will receive login details via email.
  • Flexible Editing: You can log back in to update your form or documents or request reference letters at any time until the application deadline.
  • Automatic Submission: There is no "Submit" button. After the deadline, your application is automatically submitted for evaluation, and no further changes can be made.

Application Requirements
For your application to be considered, the following must be completed by the Application Deadline:
  1. Application Form
    • The online form must be filled in completely.
  2. Required Documents (PDF format only)
    • CV
    • Bachelor’s Degree: Both your Diploma and Mark Sheet (Transcript).
    • Master’s Degree: Both your Diploma and Mark Sheet (Transcript). Note: If you haven't received your Master's Diploma yet, your Mark Sheet is sufficient. Please provide an explanation in the relevant section.
    • File Management: You can update or replace these files any time before the deadline.
  3. Reference Letters:
    • Requesting: Once you have saved your application for the first time, you must request letters from at least two referees (ideally faculty members) via this portal. Note: We discourage letters from colleagues or postdocs.
    • Grace Period: While your application is "locked" at the application deadline, your referees have an additional 5 days to submit their letters.
Note on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools

We discourage the use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT for preparing your application. AI generated texts limit our ability to judge your application.

If you use AI tools to assist with writing or editing your application, you have to provide an up to 1800 character reflection on the use of the AI tools – describe what AI tools were used, why you used these tools, and what were the changes you have implemented in addition. The use of the AI tools will be verified. Failure to report the use of AI tools will be flagged and considered in our decisions.

Personal Details

First name*:
Last name*:
Date of birth*:
Place of birth*:
Nationality*:
Gender*:

Contact address

Street*:
ZIP*:
City*:
Country of residence*:
Phone*:
Email*:
Email (enter again)*:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please upload a copy of your CV here. Important: Only pdf format is accepted!.

CV File:

Education

Degrees obtained

Fill information for at least one degree. If you are still working towards the degree, please indicate the expected date.
Please make sure you upload a copy of diplomas, grades and mark sheets as PDF files below.

Please convert your grade into the Swiss grading system (1-6, 6 being the best grade), according to the instructions of the University of Basel. If you have no grade (yet), you may indicate this by entering 0.

Mandatory degree documents

Upload a copy of diploma, grades and mark sheets as PDF files here. We expect you to provide all of these documents. If you can't provide one of these documents by the application deadline, please explain why this is the case below.

Diploma/Master Certificate:
Bachelor Certificate:
Master mark sheet:
Bachelor mark sheet:
Explanation for missing documents (if applicable):
Additional degree documents

You can provide additional degree documents (certificates, etc.) here:

Language skills and other certificates

Language skills:
English proficiency:
Certificates

If you have a TOEFL or GRE certificate, please upload PDF copies of them here.

General scientific interest

Describe your general scientific interests. What are the scientific questions that you are most passionate about? What brought you to science? Why did you want to become a scientist?

Scientific interest:

Past research experience

Please give the title and a short description of any research project carried out during your studies (diploma thesis, honours project, MSc thesis, etc.). State the rationale and goals of the research, and indicate your own contributions to the results. List publications, if any:

Research experience:

Academic awards, Prizes and papers

Have you received any academic awards or prizes, or have you published papers about your research? If so, please list them here.

Awards / Prizes / Papers:

Research interest at the Biozentrum

Please have a look at the research fields described on the Biozentrum website: Research fields.

Research Groups at the Biozentrum

Please have a look at the research groups at the Biozentrum: Research groups.
Please indicate at least 8 groups you are particularly interested in, in order of priority. Note: Only the PIs listed below can accept PhD students in this call.

Your scientific interests and the Biozentrum

Please describe how your general scientific interests align with opportunities at the Biozentrum. What topics, projects and research groups would be of interest to you and why?

Biozentrum interest:

Additional information

Outside interests and hobbies. Let us get to know you better:
Comments (additional information relevant to your application):

Where did you hear about this program?

Source*:
Other:

AI usage statement

Provide a statement describing the use of AI tools to prepare your application. If no such tools were used, state this clearly.

Statement regarding AI assistance*:

Confirmation

I hereby confirm that I have read, understood and agree to the terms and conditions of this call. I understand that in order to qualify for evaluation, my complete application including attachments has to be received by the application deadline. The required letters of reference likewise have to be requested electronically by the application deadline and must be received at the very latest by the reference letter deadline, as described in the notes at the top of this form.

I hereby confirm that I have read, understood and agree to the terms and conditions of this call*:
I understand that by the call's deadline I must have uploaded all required files and subsequently opened/checked these uploaded files to make sure they were transferred correctly and are the right file in the right version*:
I understand that for my application to qualify for evaluation, 2 letters of reference must be requested and received on time (see explanations above).*:
This form can be edited and saved again until the deadline. After the deadline your application is automatically submitted and becomes inaccessible.

* Fields must be filled out for initial submission