Utrecht University PhD Programme

The Utrecht University doctoral program is based on an agreement between the Polish Network for Cell and Molecular Biology UNESCO/PAS and the Utrecht University (The Netherlands). This is a part of the research collaboration program initiated by Prof. Wilem Gispen to facilitate the exchange of scientific information and ideas among Polish and Dutch scientists and graduate students and allow for short-term research visits of the staff members and their students from Poland to Utrecht and vice versa. The doctoral program itself offers three four-year doctoral positions. The doctoral thesis will be defended in front of the dissertation committee of the Medical Faculty of Utrecht University.
As a result of publicly advertised competition three students were accepted: M. Bucko (M. Zylicz’s lab, IIMCB), M. Olszewski (J. Dastych’s lab, IIMCB) and K. Starowicz (R. Przewlocki’s lab, Institute of Pharmacology, PAS, Cracow). Because of a success of this part of a program, next recruitment has been announced and performed. Five positions have been filled for a period of 2003- 2007: J. Urbanski (M. Zylicz’s lab, IIMCB), M. Geremek (M. Witt’s lab, IIMCB and Institute of Human Genetics, PAS, Poznan), M. Lukowiak (A. Lipkowski’s lab, Center for Experimental and Clinical Medicine, PAS, Warsaw), P. Michaluk (L. Kaczmarek’s lab, Nencki Institute, PAS, Warsaw).
IIMCB coordinates entire program on a Polish site.

Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine (SMM)

Medical Universities in Warsaw, Poznan, Szczecin, Gdansk as well as the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, the Nencki Institute and the Foundation for Experimental and Clinical Oncology have jointly founded the Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine. The main goal of the School is to offer a new post-graduate doctorate program in the field of molecular medicine, which is addressed to medical, biology and pharmacy students in Poland. SMM is formally affiliated with the Medical University of Warsaw, which is responsible for the administration of the school. According to its by-laws, the School is managed by the Director and the Scientific Council elected by the founding institutions. At present the Director’s position is held by Prof. L. Konarska from the Pharmacy Department, Medical University of Warsaw.
SMM admits students (up to 10 per year) for the four-year doctoral program.
The candidates are requested to present a scientific program of their doctoral research, scientific merit of which is carefully evaluated by the Recruitment Committee of SMM as well as independent judges in Poland and abroad. Successful candidates accomplish their scientific program, under supervision of their mentors, in different laboratories throughout Poland. The members of SMM Scientific Council annually evaluate student progress. The mentor program offered to the students includes theoretical (lectures, seminars) and practical courses (laboratory sessions) on select topics of modern molecular biology and medicine. Each SMM student is awarded The Utrecht University doctoral program is based on an agreement between ta stipend (full or supplemental). Furthermore, SMM helps students to participate in short-term scientific training in leading Polish and foreign laboratories. In parallel to funds generated by founding institutions, SMM activities are supported by subsidies from the Polish Ministry of Health, Ministry of Research and Informatization, Kronenberg Foundation, UNESCO-ROSTE, European Commission within the 5th Framework Programme (Centre of Excellence in Molecular Bio-Medicine), CNRS (France). Additional financial support comes from the French government supporting the costs of participation of outstanding French scientists in mentoring and organizational activities of SMM as well as short-term scholarships for the training of SMM students in laboratories in France.