Biozentrum PhD Fellowships Program at the University of Basel

Applications are now open for the Biozentrum PhD Fellowships Program at the University of Basel, a prestigious opportunity for talented young scientists passionate about life sciences. This highly competitive, fully funded program supports up to 10 PhD students annually, offering a unique rotation-based lab selection process and a wide range of research fields.

The fellowship is open to candidates worldwide who hold or expect to receive a Master’s degree (or equivalent) or, in exceptional cases, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree from outside the Bologna System. There is no application fee, and the deadline for the Winter Call 2025–26 is October 12, 2025. Successful candidates will benefit from comprehensive financial support, career development resources, and networking opportunities. You can also check more PhD positions here

Key Details

• Field: Life Sciences
• Funding: Fully funded for the entire PhD
• Application Deadline: October 12, 2025
• Application Fee: None
• Program Feature: Rotation-based lab selection (minimum two months in at least two labs)
• Number of Fellowships: Up to 10 per year
• Interview Week: January 12–16, 2026 (travel and accommodation provided)

Exclusive Benefits for Fellows

As a Biozentrum PhD Fellow, you’ll receive a range of incentives to enhance your scientific excellence and career development:

• Personal Annual Allowance: Funds to attend conferences, purchase books, or acquire a computer.
• Annual Study Trip: Visit a city with ties to Siemens, offering cultural and professional enrichment.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with current students, alumni, and faculty through scientific meetings and events.
• Career Support: Receive guidance from Biozentrum faculty to prepare your CV and postdoctoral applications.
• Travel Support: Financial assistance for travel to postdoctoral interviews at the end of your PhD.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Biozentrum PhD Fellowships, you must meet the following requirements:

• Hold or expect to soon receive a Master’s degree (or equivalent) that qualifies you for a PhD program at the University of Basel.
• In exceptional cases, outstanding students with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree (typically from outside the Bologna System) may apply and can complete a fast-track Master’s program at the University of Basel as part of the fellowship.
• You must not be enrolled as a PhD student at the University of Basel or have signed a PhD working contract at the University of Basel at the time of the fellowship decision.

Must apply for this: OIST Fully Funded PhD Program 2025/2026

Research Fields at the Biozentrum

The Biozentrum is dedicated to understanding how molecules and cells create life, exploring physical and biochemical mechanisms and the dynamics of multicellular communities. With 31 international research teams, the Biozentrum fosters interdisciplinary collaborations in molecular and biomedical research, supported by generous funding and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Research spans a variety of questions, such as how proteins form complex machines, how genomes are folded and read, how cells transport molecules, and how organisms develop, age, or defend against pathogens.

Available Research Disciplines

• Computational and Theoretical Biology: Developing computational approaches to study complex biological systems.
• Developmental, Regenerative, and Stem Cell Biology: Investigating development, regeneration, and stem cell roles.
• Evolution and Ecology: Exploring organism origins and environmental influences.
• Genetics and Genomics: Studying genes and their functions.
• Microbiology, Infection Biology, and Immunology: Researching microorganisms, infections, and immune responses.
• Molecular and Cellular Biology: Examining molecular aspects of cell structures and functions.
• Molecular Medicine, Physiology, Metabolism, and Aging: Exploring molecular processes in health, disease, and aging.
• Multicellular Dynamics: Studying dynamics of multicellular organisms and communities.
• Neuroscience: Investigating the structure and function of the nervous system.
• Physics of Life: Applying physical principles to biological processes.
• Signaling and Gene Regulation: Researching signal transduction and gene expression regulation.
• Structural Biology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics: Studying the structure and function of molecules and organelles.
• Systems and Synthetic Biology: Using quantitative and engineering approaches to study biological systems.

Study in Italy: 36 Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Application Process

The application process is straightforward but highly competitive. Here’s how it works:

1. Submit Your Application: Apply online via the Biozentrum application portal by October 12, 2025.
2. Request Reference Letters: After saving your application, request at least two reference letters through the portal. Letters must be received by October 17, 2025.
3. Evaluation: Group leaders at the Biozentrum review applications, and the Program Committee shortlists 20–30 candidates.
4. Interview Week: Shortlisted candidates are invited to Basel for a week of interviews, lab visits, and networking (January 12–16, 2026). Travel and accommodation are covered by the fellowship program.
   • Choose 8–10 group leaders for individual interviews and lab visits.
   • Present your research in a 10-minute presentation followed by a 20-minute Q&A seminar.
   • Engage with a PhD chaperone, attend dinners with group leaders, and participate in cultural activities in Basel.
5. Decision: Successful candidates are notified by the end of January 2026 and can begin their PhD rotations between March and September 2026.

Study in Switzerland: CYD Doctoral Fellowships in Switzerland 2025

The use of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) for preparing your application is discouraged, as they may limit the ability to assess your application authentically.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Bachelor’s degree diploma
• Bachelor’s degree mark sheet
• Master’s degree diploma (or mark sheet if diploma is not yet received, with an explanation in the relevant section)
• Master’s degree mark sheet
• Reference Letters: A minimum of two reference letters, requested through the application portal from faculty members (colleagues or postdocs are discouraged). Letters must be received by October 17, 2025.
• Document Updates: You can add or update files until the application deadline, but ensure the correct files are available for evaluators.

Study in Australia: Australian Government RTP Scholarships at University of New England

Important Dates for Winter Call 2025–26

• Start of Online Applications: August 4, 2025
• Application Deadline: October 12, 2025
• Reference Letter Deadline: October 17, 2025
• Notification of Shortlisted Candidates: End of November 2025
• Interview Days: January 12–16, 2026
• Decision of Acceptance: End of January 2026
• Start of Rotations/Thesis: March–September 2026

Also check: UMS Indonesia Scholarship

How to Apply

Ready to take the next step in your research career? Submit your application through the Biozentrum PhD Fellowships portal. Ensure your application is complete, including all required documents and reference letters, by the respective deadlines to be considered for this prestigious opportunity.