PhD Position in Developmental and Cell Biology

Přehled

This program explores the life cycle of animals and plants. It encompasses gamete formation, embryonic development, maturation, growth, reproduction, regeneration, aging, and death. It focuses on processes like cell proliferation, differentiation, and spatial organization, crucial especially in early developmental stages but relevant throughout life. Drawing from cellular and molecular biology, it delves into embryology, morphology, genetics, examining gene expression and its regulation. It formulates an overall picture of cell interactions within organisms.

Start of studies in the summer semester (April)

Opening of applications and publication of the dissertation topics:

Application by:

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Detailed information about the study programme

Offer of dissertation topics:

• Analysis of metabolic dependencies in acute myeloid leukemia (DSPII)
• Control of chromosome segregation during early development in mammals
• Development and characterization of a pig model for the study of Usher syndrome type 2C (USH2C)
• From Signal to Movement: How MICAL1 Remodels the Cytoskeleton to Guide Neuronal Growth
• Minimal design of plant cytochrome P450 enzymes
• Molecular Mechanisms of Sema5c Signaling: From Axon Guidance to Autism
• Molecular Regulation of Lactation: Investigating DNA Replication, Transcription, and Damage Repair (DSP II)
• Nuclear actin-binding proteins in the regulation of gene expression (DSPII)
• Plant Chemical Diversity and Its Role in Plant-Insect Coevolution
• Redox mechanisms of insulin secretion
• Regulation of metabolism and tool development
• Spatial dynamics of receptors within fusion-competent microvillar domains of the mammalian oocyte membrane (DSPII)
• The impact of sex chromosomes on cardiometabolic adaptations during obesity
• The role of extracellular vesicles in the reproductive tract of mammals and their influence on gamete function

Profile of the graduate

Ph.D. graduate has extensive knowledge of cell and developmental biology, ranging from basic principles of molecular and cell biology and practical methods, to applications in cellular and developmental pathology. After the completion of the doctoral thesis, the graduate is well versed in specialized experimental approaches, can work with scientific literature and knows basic principles of scientific work, adopting ethical guidelines and observing rules of conduct in scientific publishing. The graduate is capable of independently solving both theoretical and practical problems encountered during research work. The graduate is fluent in scientific English and is capable of formulating her/his opinions so that they can be presented to the international scientific community. The program entitles the graduates to find placement in universities or academic institutions to work on research projects, in medical institutions as members of research teams or in clinical laboratories, in applied research sector as well in biotech companies.

Application submission

The application is submitted electronically through the Charles University study information system. The completed application must be submitted electronically in the study information system no later than on for study programmes starting in the winter semester (October) and no later than on for study programmes starting in the summer semester (April).

The admission fee is 100 EUR and it is paid for each submitted application.

Required application appendice is the agreement of a supervisor in the format of the following form available here. We recommend reaching out to the supervisor as soon as possible (ideally before for study programmes starting in the winter semester and before for study programmes starting in the summer semester), so the application could be send out in time in case the agreement is granted.

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Entrance exam

The regular date of entrance exam for all doctoral programmes starting in the winter semester (October) is in June 2026 (to be specified), an alternative date is in June 2026 (to be specified).

The regular date of entrance exam for all doctoral programmes starting in the summer semester (April) is 4. – , an alternative date is 11. –

The request for an alternative day is submitted and approved via the electronic information system.

The form of the entrance exam is an oral interview, which mainly concerns the issues of the planned dissertation and the candidate's knowledge within the field of expertise of the given study programme.

Find more information in:

• Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, for study programmes starting in the summer semester (April).

Important links

Detailed description of the study program on the website of the Department of Cell Biology

Subject Area Board

Framework requirements for individual study plans of doctoral students

Applicants with specific needs

If you have a physical handicap, you can apply for a modification of the entrance exam. For more information read the Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes.

Departments involved in this programme

Department of Cell Biology

Guarantor of the study programme

prof. RNDr. Jan Černý, Ph.D.

Do you have a question?

Complete information about the admission procedure can be found on the website for applicants. For questions, please contact the admissions contact persons.