Experimental plant biology

The objective of the Experimental Plant Biology program is to train highly skilled and independent scientists in the field of plant biology. Graduates will acquire comprehensive knowledge in areas such as plant genetics, molecular and cellular biology, and plant physiology. The program covers research on fundamental biological processes in plant organisms, including photosynthesis, metabolism, hormonal regulation, plant growth and development, at the levels of genes, genomes, cells, tissues, entire organisms, and in the context of their interactions with the environment.

The main emphasis is placed on the scientific development of doctoral students, who will receive systematic training in both research and transferable skills. The goal is to enhance their theoretical understanding and practical experience with modern methods in plant research. The core activity of students will be their own scientific work. The program also emphasizes interdisciplinarity and responds to current challenges and demands in the rapidly evolving field of plant biology research.

The Experimental Plant Biology program will bring together research topics addressed at multiple institutes and departments, including primarily the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University, the National Centre for Biomolecular Research (NCBR), the Institute of Experimental Biology (IEB), and the Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC MU). Other academic institutions involved will include the Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IBP), the Institute of Experimental Botany in Olomouc (especially the Center for Plant Structural and Functional Genomics), and CzechGlobe – Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The program will offer research topics across a wide range of areas, such as the study of plant genetic makeup and genomes, chromosome maintenance and evolution, analysis of proteins involved in plant growth, development, and hormonal regulation, physiological plant adaptations, genetic engineering, and biotechnology. The ultimate aim is to understand processes important for sustainable agriculture and biotechnological applications.

Graduates of the program will be well-prepared for careers primarily in basic and applied research, both in academia and the private sector (including biotechnology and agricultural companies). Thanks to their interdisciplinary expertise, research experience, and acquired transferable skills, they will also find opportunities in various other career paths. The program offers international collaboration, participation in prestigious forums and scientific conferences, with particular emphasis on the use of English as the primary communication language in the scientific community.

Practical training

Students conduct research in their supervisors' laboratories, where they acquire practical skills in their specialization. They further develop their practical and theoretical knowledge through collaboration with other laboratories, both within the Czech Republic and internationally.

Graduates of the doctoral program in Experimental Plant Biology can apply their qualifications primarily in research institutions, both academic and non-academic, as well as in higher education. They are prepared to conduct independent scientific and research activities in both fundamental and applied research, focusing on the development of new biotechnologies, plant genetic engineering, and the analysis of molecular, cellular, and physiological processes in plants.

Graduates are qualified to perform all activities associated with scientific work, including addressing conceptual issues, organizing scientific projects, and teaching. Their expertise and research skills make them suitable not only for the academic sphere but also for applied research projects in the fields of sustainable agriculture and biotechnology.

Admission procedure
The basic requirement is a completion of a Master's degree (preferably in the fields of plant biology, molecular biology, plant physiology, etc.). The chosen dissertation topic should correspond with the professional profile of the student. Before submitting an e-application, each applicant needs to contact a future supervisor at the Faculty of Science to discuss the PhD project proposal and the conditions and requirements of the dissertation.
The admission interview is usually in an online form and consists of three parts:
1) expert interview – checking expertise background and motivation (max. 100 points),
2) Language part – check of communication skills in English, interview and expert discussion is in English (max. 100 points),
3) Formal criteria will include assessment of previous education and practice (based on a master diploma and reference letter and the financial/project resources that the supervisor may allocate to the student (max. 100 points).

More information about admission process for international applicants in general can be found here.

Date of the entrance exam
The applicants will receive information about the entrance exam by e-mail usually at least 10 days before the exam.
Please, always check your e-mails, including spam folders.

Conditions of admission
To be admitted, a candidate must obtain a minimum of 180 points, i.e. a minimum of 60 points in each section.
Successful applicants are informed of their acceptance by e-mail and subsequently receive an invitation to the enrolment.

Programme capacity
The capacity of a given programme is not fixed; students are admitted based on a decision by the Doctoral Board after assessing their aptitude for study and motivation.