The Biozentrum PhD Fellowships Program is a competitive doctoral fellowship of the Biozentrum, the University of Basel’s life-sciences institute in Switzerland. Fellows join the English-language Biozentrum International PhD Program.
The fellowship is tied to no lab or project: fellows rotate through at least two Biozentrum groups, at least two months each, before choosing their thesis group, subject to the group leader’s approval.
Benefits & funding
- Full funding for the entire PhD, paid as a salary by the University of Basel; the PhD lasts four years
- A personal yearly allowance for meetings, books or a computer
- A yearly study trip, plus meetings with current fellows and alumni
- Faculty help with CV and postdoc applications, and travel support for postdoc interviews
- These perks are current and may change from year to year
Eligibility
- Open to applicants of any nationality
- Must hold, or soon expect, an MSc or equivalent degree that qualifies for a PhD at Basel
- Exceptionally, outstanding holders of a four-year Bachelor’s (usually from outside the Bologna system) may apply and would first complete a Basel Master’s
- An MSc with honours (first degree) from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the USA or Canada may allow a direct PhD after Doctoral Committee review
- Not eligible if enrolled as a PhD student, or holding a PhD contract, at the University of Basel at the call’s decision date
- Studies are entirely in English; the FAQ names no certificate
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Apply online by 18 October 2026 with degree certificates and transcripts, a one-page CV and two academic referees (one line of the application page says 10 August 2026, which its own dates table gives as the opening date).
- 2Referees upload letters via the portal no later than one week after the closing date (FAQ).
- 3Group leaders review; 20–30 candidates are invited to an interview week in Basel, travel and accommodation paid. Attendance is obligatory.
Program timeline
Application deadline
18 Oct 2026
Shortlist notified
20 Nov 2026
Interview week
Jan 2027
Decisions
15 Jan 2027
Mar–Sep 2027
Rotations/thesis may start