Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB)

The Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB) of the University of Bern, jointly administered by the Faculties of Medicine, Science and Vetsuisse, offers structured, experimental research training programs leading to a PhD, MD,PhD, DDS,PhD or DVM,PhD degree.
The PhD program provides comprehensive, internationally competitive training in the theory and practice of experimental research as well as in-depth specialist knowledge of the individually selected research area. It directs the students towards independent scientific work and enables them to assume scientific responsibility. Research training is available in the areas of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Cell Biology, Immunology, Neuroscience, and Epidemiology.
Applicants should possess a Master's degree, or equivalent, in Life Sciences or related areas, Biomedical Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Medicine.

GCBVisionandMission_eng.pdf

News and Events

GCB Symposium 2024 - Great Success

On 27 June 2024, we held the 2024 GCB symposium in the vonRoll buildings, with more than 400 participants, most of them doctoral students, but also supervisors, mentors and representatives of the specialization programs and partner societies, it was a great success.

GCB Annual Report 2023

Have you considered becoming a GCB Mentor?

Good support is pivotal to ensuring the rapid progress of a doctorate and integration in the scientific community. Advice and support must not only be provided by the doctoral thesis supervisors. Good support also involves a network provided within the framework of a graduate school by experienced colleagues and through mentoring.

Coffee Lectures Science & Medicine Autumn Series

Online Walk-in for Literature Searching

Are you stuck with your literature search? Then drop in virtually and talk to our information specialist Tania Rivero. Each Wednesday, 11:00-12:30 and 16:00-18:00 on Zoom. In addition, you may consult our guide on conducting a systematic literature search or contact us for support services in Evidence Synthesis

Data Literacy Platform

External co-referee written thesis assessment: new guidelines from 01.01.2024

GCB Steering Board Decisions

The Steering board decided, effective immediately, to pursue a strict policy to allow a maximum of 20% off PhD curriculum work, thus implementing an at least 80% dedication to the PhD research project only. May 1, 2023.

Funding Program «UniBE Short Travel Grants for (Post)Docs»

GCB Open Door Policy

Please download the pdf for more detailed information
Photo ©Universität Bern

Public Health Sciences Course Program

This newly established, structured course program in Public Health Sciences (PHS) aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of Public Health and develop competencies in key research methods and applications.

Highlighting the positive aspects of being a PhD student

What is a PhD

Dargebotene Hand in Englisch

Anonymous help in English for expatriates in Switzerland.Helping Hand free call: 0800 143 000 in english from 18:00-23:00 every day.

Support measures for scientists from Ukraine

Dear PhD students, supervisors, co-advisors and mentors,

Science lives from international exchange and we at the GCB experience this on a daily basis. The GCB as part of the University of Bern stands in solidarity with Ukraine and its universities and its scientists.
We support the statement by swissuniversities, the appeal of The Guild and statements made by its partner institutions and networks on the solidarity of all democratic states with Ukraine. Please find below useful links regarding funding and research opportunities:

General Information from the University:
https://www.unibe.ch/ukraine/index_eng.html

For researches from the Ukraine and group leaders wanting to offer positions for Ukrainian scientists, possibilities for funding can be found at the Swiss National Science Foundation:
1) https://www.snf.ch/en/WpOfVoVBYdBid6By/news/support-measures-for-scientists-from-ukraine
2) Scienceforukraine.eu
3) https://www.bfh.ch/en/news/ukraine/

For support, donations and helping a good source is the Swiss Ukrainian Society
https://swiss-ukrainian.ch/en

Your GCB TEam

Ask for help

Ask for help - Take care of your mental health, as well as your physical health.

Modifications of the promotion regulations – what it means:

From February 1, 2020, a modification of the doctoral regulations will come into force that will affect all PhD students enrolled at the GCB in February 2020. In the attached file a short summary can be found and under "PhD program / Regulations" the new reglements are now online in German and English.