PhD Specializations

Within the framework of the GCB PhD Program, seven (7) PhD Specialization Programs are offered. Participants acquire ECTS in the specialization and will receive a special diploma supplement, complementing their PhD degree. You may only apply for a GCB PhD specialization after you have successfully completed your GCB interview and have been informed you are a registered GCB student. There are seven PhD specialization programs from which to choose: Cardiovascular Research, Cell Migration, Cutting Edge Microscopy, Neuroscience Research, Precision Medicine, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, and Tumor Biology. Each specialization is unique. However, they all collaborate with partners within and outside of the University of Bern, giving GCB students unique training and learning opportunities. Below you can select the tab for the specialization, peruse the information, download the forms and find the contact information for the program coordinators. Please contact the program coordinators directly when you have further questions or are interested in registering. You may only register after you have been informed you have successfully completed the GCB interview and are a registered GCB Student. Go to the Applications and Admission page for more information.

PhD Specialization Flyer 2024 (PDF, 283KB)

Plan Ahead

Plan ahead. Consider whether you would like to apply for a specializaiton when you are applying to the GCB.

You will receive information on the PhD specializations in the email following your GCB Interview. You should think about whether to apply for specialization prior to filling in your doctoral agreement so you can plan to earn the mandatory and elective ECTS to fulfil both the GCB and specialization requirements.

PhD Specialization Programs

Cardiovascular Program

Click on this photo to be redirected to the Cardiovascular research program website
Cardiovascular Specialization Registration Form (PDF, 296KB)

Cell Migration Program

The PhD Program Cell Migration is organized by a group of highly innovative and successful Swiss research groups in the field of cell migration in morphogenesis, immunosurveillance, inflammation and cancer. Several participating institutions with their principal investigators bring together complementary scientific expertise and methodological skillsets in the field of cell migration that permit for embedding a cutting-edge Swiss training program on Cell Migration for highly qualified and motivated PhD and MD-PhD students in the fields of biology, biochemistry, (molecular) human and veterinary medicine, immunology, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, physics, bioinformatics and mathematics with a focus on life sciences.

For more information about the program, how to register and the registration forms, please go to the specific website of the program. 

Cell Migration Program TKI.

Neuroscience

The Neuroscience PhD specialization program supports training for GCB doctoral students in neuroscience during their doctorate. It includes a basic training in neuro-physiology, with an optional neuro-anatomy course, and provides an up-to-date teaching in current areas of neuroscience research and techniques through the BENEFRI Neuroscience Workshop and the BENEFRI Hands-on Workshop, respectively.