Polish Academy of Sciences PhD Scholarship in Biology 2027 (Fully Funded) | Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences | Brilliant Scholarship
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Polish Academy of Sciences PhD Scholarship in Biology 2027 (Fully Funded)
Fully funded 4-year PhD position at the Polish Academy of Sciences researching iron and omega-3 fatty acid metabolism, with a rising monthly stipend.
Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences
Overview
Graduates with a strong background in biology or a related life science who want to move directly into funded doctoral research have a specific and well-defined opportunity at the Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The institute is offering one fully funded PhD position within a four-year research project examining the interaction between iron metabolism and omega-3 fatty acid metabolism, a topic with both fundamental biological significance and potential relevance to human health. The position is particularly suited to Master's graduates in biology, biotechnology, animal science, physiology, or molecular biology who want to build a research career spanning molecular biology, metabolism, physiology, and biomedical sciences. With the deadline falling quickly after the call opens, this is an opportunity that rewards fast, well-prepared applicants rather than those hoping to plan over several months.
Scholarship Details
The PhD position comes with a structured, rising stipend over its four-year duration. During the first two years, the selected candidate receives PLN 5,000 gross per month; following successful completion of a mid-term evaluation, this increases to PLN 6,500 gross per month for years three and four. Beyond the monthly stipend, the position includes 40 days of annual leave, a notably generous allowance reflecting Polish academic employment norms, and access to doctoral accommodation at preferential rates, helping reduce one of the larger costs international candidates would otherwise face when relocating to Poland. The successful candidate is formally admitted to the Doctoral School of Animal and Health Sciences and participates in the full four-year research project as part of that programme. Although sometimes informally described as a biology scholarship, applicants should understand this is specifically a doctoral research position rather than a Master's-level scholarship, meaning the entire funding structure is built around full-time doctoral research rather than coursework-based study.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should hold a Master's degree in biology, biotechnology, animal science, or a related discipline, or meet the requirements for obtaining such a degree according to the recruitment rules, meaning candidates who are close to completing their Master's may still be eligible under the right circumstances. A strong applicant should ideally bring an academic background or practical experience connected to molecular biology, physiology, cell culture, laboratory-animal research, biological data analysis, or biochemistry and metabolism, since these areas align closely with the specific methods used in the research project itself. Beyond academic background, candidates are expected to demonstrate basic knowledge of molecular biology and physiology, strong motivation for scientific research, the ability to work effectively within a team, good organisational skills, and a genuine willingness to conduct hands-on laboratory and research work; relevant laboratory experience, particularly experience directly connected to the project's specific methods, can meaningfully strengthen an application. English-language proficiency is required at approximately CEFR B2 level according to the Doctoral School's requirements, though IELTS is not specifically stated as mandatory; depending on individual circumstances, English proficiency may instead be demonstrated through an accepted language certificate or an eligible graduation diploma, and applicants should confirm the applicable requirement before finalising their documents. No nationality restriction is stated in the available recruitment information, meaning international applicants who satisfy the academic, research, and doctoral admission requirements can apply alongside Polish candidates, provided they also meet the Doctoral School's formal language and academic conditions.
Fields of Study & Programs
The PhD project is centered specifically on the relationship between iron metabolism and omega-3 fatty acid metabolism and their effects on health, drawing together several connected research areas: biology, biotechnology, animal science, molecular biology, physiology, metabolism, cell biology, biomedical sciences, biological data analysis, and bioinformatics. The research combines laboratory experimentation with biological data analysis, using a fat-1 transgenic mouse model capable of producing omega-3 fatty acids internally, alongside a pig model included specifically to provide additional translational relevance to human biology. The selected researcher can expect to work across a genuinely broad set of techniques, including mouse and piglet experiments, blood analysis, oxidative-stress and inflammatory marker assessment, tissue iron analysis, fatty-acid profiling, bioinformatics, cell-line experiments, primary hepatocyte studies, siRNA gene silencing, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and gene- and protein-expression analysis, in addition to contributing to scientific publications arising from the work. This combination of wet-lab research, molecular biology, and quantitative biological data analysis makes the position particularly well suited to candidates who want hands-on experience across multiple complementary research methods rather than a narrowly specialised technique.
Participating Universities
The position is hosted by the Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, one of Poland's leading research institutions in genetics and biotechnology, located outside Warsaw. As part of the Polish Academy of Sciences network, the institute benefits from strong national research infrastructure and a focus on advanced genetics, molecular biology, and animal biotechnology research. The selected PhD student is formally connected to the institute's Doctoral School of Animal and Health Sciences, giving them access to a structured doctoral training environment alongside their specific research project, combining focused laboratory-based supervision with the broader academic community and resources of a national research academy rather than a conventional university biology department.
How to Apply
Applicants should begin by confirming that they meet both the academic and English-language requirements described in the recruitment call before investing time in preparing a full application. The centerpiece of the application is a focused motivation letter, limited to no more than one A4 page, which should explain the applicant's specific interest in the iron and omega-3 metabolism research project rather than offering a generic statement about wanting to pursue a PhD in Poland; applicants should explain how their previous education, research experience, and laboratory skills specifically prepare them for this proposed project. Alongside the motivation letter, applicants need an updated CV that clearly highlights their Master's research, relevant laboratory techniques, any publications, and relevant analytical experience, since this document forms the primary basis for assessing an applicant's technical readiness for the position. Applicants must also provide their Master's diploma, or, for those who have not yet formally graduated, information confirming when the degree is expected to be obtained. The required personal-data consent documents and contact information for potential referees round out the core application package. All materials should be sent by email to two designated addresses, m.ogluszka@igbzpan.pl and application@igbzpan.pl, with the email subject line formatted precisely as "MAGOGL Candidate; Applicant's Full Name"; applicants should double-check that every required document is attached before sending, since incomplete submissions risk being overlooked in a competitive, fast-moving recruitment process. Shortlisted candidates who meet both the formal and project-specific requirements will be invited for an interview as the next stage of selection.
Deadlines & Important Dates
Applications for this position are accepted within a notably short window, from 13 August to 27 August 2026, with the final deadline set at 27 August 2026 at 15:00 Warsaw time. Recruitment results are planned for 18 September 2026, and the successful candidate is expected to begin the PhD on 1 October 2026. Because the entire application-to-decision timeline runs over roughly five weeks, candidates interested in this position need to move quickly, ideally having their CV, motivation letter draft, and referee contacts largely prepared before the call opens, rather than starting document preparation from scratch once the window is already open.
Life as a Scholar
A PhD student joining this project becomes part of a focused research team at the Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, working specifically on the intersection of iron and omega-3 fatty acid metabolism using both mouse and pig models. Life in this role is centered heavily on hands-on laboratory work, spanning animal experiments, biochemical analysis, molecular biology techniques, and bioinformatics, combined with the structured academic requirements of the Doctoral School of Animal and Health Sciences. The generous 40 days of annual leave stands out relative to many international doctoral positions, offering a meaningful degree of work-life balance alongside the demands of a research-intensive four-year programme. Access to doctoral accommodation at preferential rates further eases one of the more significant practical challenges facing international PhD candidates relocating to a new country, allowing the student to focus more fully on establishing their research within the institute's laboratory environment from an early stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this position open to international applicants? Yes. The recruitment information does not restrict the position to a particular nationality, so international applicants meeting the academic and doctoral admission requirements can apply.
Do I need IELTS to apply? Not necessarily. English proficiency is required at approximately CEFR B2, but this may be demonstrated through an accepted language certificate or an eligible graduation diploma rather than IELTS specifically.
How does the stipend change over the four years? It starts at PLN 5,000 gross per month in years one and two, then increases to PLN 6,500 gross per month in years three and four after a successful mid-term evaluation.
What research methods will I use? A combination including mouse and piglet experiments, blood and tissue analysis, fatty-acid profiling, bioinformatics, cell-line and primary hepatocyte studies, siRNA gene silencing, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence.
Is a Master's degree already completed required? Applicants generally need a completed Master's degree, or must meet the requirements for obtaining one under the recruitment rules, meaning candidates close to finishing may still be eligible.
When is the application deadline? 27 August 2026 at 15:00 Warsaw time, with results planned for 18 September 2026 and an expected PhD start date of 1 October 2026.
Final Thoughts
This Polish Academy of Sciences PhD opportunity offers a genuinely well-supported route into funded doctoral research for Master's graduates interested in molecular biology, physiology, metabolism, biotechnology, or animal science, combining a rising monthly stipend with generous leave and preferential-rate accommodation. Given the short application window, candidates seriously interested in the position should focus immediately on drafting a clear, project-specific motivation letter and a CV that prominently showcases their relevant research and laboratory experience, rather than delaying preparation until closer to the fast-approaching deadline.
Award Amount
PLN 5,000 gross per month in years 1-2, rising to PLN 6,500 gross per month in years 3-4 after successful mid-term evaluation
Payment: Monthly
Deadline
2026-08-27
Applications accepted 13-27 August 2026; final deadline 27 August 2026 at 15:00 Warsaw time. Results planned for 18 September 2026.
Duration
Four-year doctoral research position within the Doctoral School of Animal and Health Sciences, expected start 1 October 2026.
Renewable
No
About This Scholarship
The Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences is offering one fully funded PhD position in a four-year research project investigating the interaction between iron metabolism and omega-3 fatty acid metabolism. Suitable for graduates with a Master's degree in biology, biotechnology, animal science, physiology, molecular biology, or a related field, the position uses a fat-1 transgenic mouse model alongside a pig model for translational relevance, involving mouse and piglet experiments, blood analysis, oxidative-stress and inflammatory markers, tissue iron analysis, fatty-acid profiling, bioinformatics, cell-line experiments, primary hepatocyte studies, siRNA gene silencing, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and gene/protein-expression analysis, alongside scientific publication. The selected PhD student receives a monthly scholarship of PLN 5,000 gross during the first two years, rising to PLN 6,500 gross per month in years three and four after successful completion of a mid-term evaluation, plus 40 days of annual leave and access to doctoral accommodation at preferential rates, with admission connected to the Doctoral School of Animal and Health Sciences. There is no stated nationality restriction, though applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at approximately CEFR B2 (IELTS not specifically mandatory). Applications, including a one-page motivation letter, CV, Master's diploma or expected completion information, personal-data consent documents, and referee contact information, are accepted from 13 to 27 August 2026, with a final deadline of 27 August 2026 at 15:00 Warsaw time, sent by email to two designated addresses with a specific subject line. Results are planned for 18 September 2026, with an expected PhD start date of 1 October 2026.
Holds a Master's degree in biology, biotechnology, animal science or a related discipline, or meets requirements for obtaining the degree per recruitment rules
Academic background or experience in molecular biology, physiology, cell culture, laboratory-animal research, biological data analysis, or biochemistry/metabolism preferred
Demonstrates basic knowledge of molecular biology and physiology
Shows strong motivation for scientific research and ability to work effectively in a team
Good organisational skills and willingness to conduct laboratory and research work
Sufficient English proficiency for doctoral study, approximately CEFR B2
Academic Requirements
Language Requirements:
Approximately CEFR B2; IELTS not specifically mandatory, may be demonstrated via accepted language certificate or eligible graduation diploma
Application Process
1Confirm academic and English-language requirements are met
2Prepare a focused one-page motivation letter explaining interest in the iron and omega-3 metabolism research project
4Prepare Master's diploma or information about expected completion date
5Add required personal-data consent documents and referee contact information
6Send the complete application to m.ogluszka@igbzpan.pl and application@igbzpan.pl with subject line 'MAGOGL Candidate; Applicant's Full Name'
7Shortlisted candidates who meet formal and project requirements are invited for an interview
Required Documents
Motivation Letter*Required
No more than one A4 page, specific to the iron and omega-3 fatty acid metabolism research project
CV*Required
Highlighting academic achievements and relevant research experience
Master's Diploma*Required
Or information confirming when the degree is expected to be obtained
Partner Universities
Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences
Jastrzębiec, Poland
Additional Benefits
40 days annual leave
Doctoral accommodation at preferential rates
Admission to Doctoral School of Animal and Health Sciences
About the AuthorActive ApplicantUniversity Graduate
I'm a university graduate currently navigating the world of scholarship applications. I run this blog as an active, personal database of opportunities I'm researching — every listing here is one I've evaluated myself. My goal is to help fellow students cut through the noise and find funding that actually fits their profile.
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