International PhD in Molecular Medicine

The San Raffaele University, top-ranked among the research universities in Italy, offers a Ph.D. program aimed to provide excellent guidance, support, and training to graduate students interested in understanding the molecular processes underlying human diseases and in designing new approaches for their treatment.

The Ph.D. Course in Molecular Medicine operates within the San Raffaele Scientific Institute, one of the largest biomedical research environments in Italy and well renowned internationally.

Completion requires 36 months of full-time studies and allows students to undertake a major research project in one of the over 100 research laboratories present in our Institute. Training and mentoring offers students individualized professional development and a gateway for basic, clinical and industrial research careers.

The International Ph.D. Course is split into four main research lines (Curricula) that span the broad areas of molecular medicine:

• Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Basic and Applied Immunology and Oncology
• Experimental and Clinical Medicine
• Gene and Cell Therapy
• Neuroscience and Experimental Neurology

Positions and Funding

About 130 doctoral students are currently enrolled in our Ph.D. Program in Molecular Medicine.

Full-time financial support is provided for every student we admit. The maintenance of the status of Ph.D. Student and the renewal of the doctoral fellowship depend on the positive result of an annual examination of the scientific progress.

For the a.y. 2019/2020, 35 students are offered a UniSR scholarship (annual gross wage, before-tax, of € 18,000 for the Three-year fellowship and annual gross wage, before-tax, of € 22.176 for the Ph.D.); the remaining 5 positions are without fellowship but the student will be funded by the hosting laboratory.

Annual research expenses (bench costs) are covered by the hosting laboratories.

During the second and third year, all students receive additional funds (1800 euros/year) to support participation in meetings and workshops. International collaborations are encouraged; if students move abroad to integrate the research activities of their projects, the scholarship is increased by half of the wage (for a period up to 8 months).

Training

Our Ph.D. Program is aimed to provide outstanding interdisciplinary training in the broad area of Molecular Medicine. Ph.D. students are expected to spend most of their time working on a research project under the direct supervision of a Director of Studies and with the external scientific advice of a Second Supervisor.

Each year, the Ph.D. Course in Molecular Medicine offers a panel of courses that expose students to the most exciting and active research areas in the field and provide training in the transferable skills required for a successful career in academia and beyond. Training is delivered in English and covers the three-year duration of the Ph.D. Course.

Students are expected to play an integral part in the life of our research community also taking advantage of the many lectures, workshops, and seminars organized by the San Raffaele Scientific Institute.

Students may have the possibility to be involved in teaching and in supervising undergraduate students.

Admissions

The application to the International Ph.D. Course in Molecular Medicine can be submitted, regardless of age or citizenship, by those holding a 5-year University Degree, a Master Degree or an equivalent foreign academic qualification, approved by the Ph.D. Examination Committee, also according to international agreements and/or inter-university cooperation and mobility agreements.