"The Biozentrum is an institute that has always attracted good researchers. However, with the Biozentrum PhD Fellowships program, we have a unique tool to also actively recruit outstanding, international junior scientist," says Prof. Christoph Handschin, Head of the PhD Fellowships Program.
In contrast to many other doctoral programs, which address a larger number of candidates, the selection process for the Biozentrum PhD Fellowships is highly competitive. Each year, the institute receives hundreds of applications for the ten PhD scholarships but not all ten are necessarily awarded, as excellence is the crucial requirement. "Important for us is that we reach talented students from all over the world. However, as the end date for master’s studies varies, we have decided to launch an additional winter call. By doing so, we want to prevent outstanding master’s graduates from not having the same opportunity, due to differences in their study schedule," continues Handschin.
However, the special feature of the Biozentrum PhD Fellowships is not primarily their exclusivity but rather that they are tied neither to a research group nor to a project. Fellows have the unique opportunity to experience different research groups before deciding in which lab they want to carry out their PhD. The fellowships are therefore particularly suitable for candidates who are open to a wide range of research and want to broaden their horizons.
The program is not only a great opportunity for the fellows themselves. "In addition to the fact that it gives us outstanding students, their varied skills and knowledge in terms of research and background is also an asset to us," explains Handschin.
The fellowships program was launched in 2006. Meanwhile, 45 PhD students from 26 countries − about half of them women − have completed their doctorate. There are currently 38 fellows conducting research at the Biozentrum.
November 28, 2018