The Biozentrum urges outstanding, ambitious, and highly motivated young scientists from all over the world to apply for the prestigious and highly sought-after scholarships available through the Biozentrum Basel International PhD Program. Unlike many other PhD student programs, which aim to attract a large number of individuals, the Biozentrum PhD Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis to a limit of ten successful candidates every year. Recipients are given a one-of-a-kind rotation-based selection of a research group of their choosing, as well as a number of other benefits that promote scientific quality and the career prospects of these PhD candidates.

The Werner Siemens-Foundation, which recognized the potential of an international excellence program, generously supported the “Biozentrum PhD Fellowships” program in 2006. Following the Werner Siemens-Foundation’s initial financial support, the University of Basel took over funding the salaries of new fellows in 2010 to ensure the program’s continuation, as it has proven to be both a great opportunity for graduates and an enrichment for the Biozentrum’s international community.

Application and selection procedure

The prestigious PhD fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis. Shortlisted candidates are invited to the Biozentrum for a week of interviews with group leaders and other opportunities to interact and get to know the Biozentrum.

Conditions 
You must hold or expect soon a university degree that qualifies you for a PhD program at the University of Basel (MSc and equivalent). In exceptional cases, outstanding students with a 4 year bachelor’s degree, typically from outside the Bologna system, are also eligible to apply. These will be able to complete a Master’s program on a fast-track at the University of Basel as part of their fellowship.

In order to be eligible to receive the fellowship, candidates can neither be enrolled as a PhD student at the University of Basel nor have signed a PhD working contract at the University of Basel at the decision date of the respective fellowship call.

Application
The Winter Call 2022/2023 is open. You can submit your application online. Your application must include:

• electronic copies of your diploma/MSc degree with grades and transcripts as pdf files
• CV or scientific résumé (maximum one page, pdf format)
• names and contact information of 2 referees from your previous academic environment (usually faculty members). The referees will be contacted automatically and will be asked for a reference letter.

You will get further information about the application procedure as soon as you have submitted your application.

Selection procedure
After the closing date for the open call, applications will be evaluated by all group leaders of the Biozentrum. Based on the feedback from their peers, the Program Committee will shortlist 20-30 candidates who will be invited to the Biozentrum for an interview week (travel and accommodation provided by the fellowship program).

To organize your individual interviews and lab visits during the interview week, you will be asked to indicate 8 to 10 group leaders. You will also present your research in a 10-minute presentation and 20-minute question and answer seminar to the Program Committee and other interested group leaders. A chaperone – a PhD from the fellowships − will be your personal guide during these days, tell you about being a PhD at the Biozentrum and be happy to answer your questions. Two dinners with group leaders and the chaperones, an informal meeting with the PhD Club and a cultural visit to Basel will give you a good insight into Basel and the Biozentrum.

At the end of the interview week, you will be informed about who will receive fellowship offers. We expect your acceptance or declination of the fellowship within two weeks after the interview week. You can then start your PhD in the following six months.

Incentives

As a fellow, you have the unique opportunity to experience different research groups before deciding in which group to do your PhD. You are also offered a number of incentives to support your scientific growth.

Unique rotation-based choice of lab
The fellowship is independent and not tied to a research group or project. Candidates accepting the fellowship must conduct research in at least 2 different labs (rotations) at the Biozentrum, before they decide on the research group for the PhD thesis (pending approval of the respective group leader). The duration of these rotations are at least 2 months each. The PhD thesis underlies the general rules and guidelines of the University of Basel and candidates will automatically be part of the International PhD Program of the Biozentrum. The fellowship is funded for 3 years and 3 months.

Perks 
You are also offered a number of incentives to support your scientific and personal growth. Currently, the following benefits are provided (annual changes may apply):

• a personal, annual allowance to attend meetings, acquire books or a computer
• an annual study trip to a city with ties to Siemens
• scientific meetings and networking opportunities with current students and alumni of the Biozentrum PhD Fellowships Program
• support for the preparation of the personal CV and postdoctoral application by Biozentrum faculty members in the Program Committee
• financial support for travel to postdoctoral interviews at the end of the PhD thesis

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