Program Overview

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Introduction to the Biomedicine Doctoral Program

The interdisciplinary Biomedicine doctoral program brings together the expertise of many scientific disciplines, all with a common commitment to health and quality of life. This program combines all the fields that are key to the understanding and development of biomedical sciences in the broadest sense of the word.

Program Details

• Program Type: Doctoral
• Program Feature: Interdisciplinary
• Duration: 4 years
• No. of ECTS Credit Points: 240
• Program Provider: Biotechnical Faculty, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Faculty of Health Sciences

Participating Institutions

• Institute »Jožef Stefan«
• National Institute of Chemistry
• National Institute of Biology

Scientific Title

• doktor znanosti/doktorica znanosti (abbreviation: dr.)
• In English language: Doctor of Philosophy (abbreviation: Ph.D.)

About the Program

The main focus of the doctoral program is on the research work of the student. In addition to the research work, the doctoral student acquires the necessary theoretical knowledge in the course of his/her studies, with the possibility to choose between compulsory core subjects, theoretical electives, and individual research electives.

Scientific Fields

Upon enrolment, applicants have to choose one of the following scientific fields:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Pharmacy
• Genetics
• Public Health
• Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Biomedicine
• Medicine - Clinical Orientation
• Medicine - Basic Orientation
• Medical Microbiology
• Neuroscience
• Toxicology
• Veterinary Medicine
• Scientific Aspects of Health Professions (from academic year 2025/2026)

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The aim of doctoral education in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is to introduce doctoral students to recent developments in selected areas of biochemical and molecular biological sciences. The student will acquire the ability to master, build on, and integrate fundamental knowledge with the latest knowledge and technologies in various fields of biochemistry and molecular biology.

Pharmacy

The scientific field of "Pharmacy" within the interdisciplinary doctoral program Biomedicine deepens the understanding of theoretical and methodological concepts in Molecular Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Biology, Pharmaceutical Technology, Biopharmaceutics, and Pharmacokinetics.

Public Health

Public Health is a scientific area in which students acquire knowledge about the possibilities and specificities of scientific research in the field of public health. The field has the additional peculiarity of being able to conduct research at the population level.

Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Biomedicine

Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Biomedicine focus on laboratory medical diagnostics. They are concerned with the search for and evaluation of relevant diagnostic indicators for the detection and monitoring of disease.

Medicine - Clinical Orientation

The aim of training in clinical medicine is to train new doctors of science in this field. Doctoral students will be introduced to the fundamentals of medical research, including ethics in medical research, preparation and presentation of research papers, and critical evaluation of scientific publications.

Medicine - Basic Orientation

The study program in Medicine - Basic Orientation is aimed at PhD students whose scientific research work will require theoretical and methodological knowledge of fundamental biological processes relevant to medicine.

Medical Microbiology

The PhD in Medical Microbiology is primarily aimed at graduates of a single Master's degree program in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, or Pharmacy. It provides a detailed understanding of the virulence factors of micro-organisms of importance to humans, their pathogenetic mechanisms, and the fundamentals of laboratory diagnosis of infections.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience is one of the most prolific scientific and medical disciplines. The spectrum of neuroscience ranges from the study of molecules, synapses, neurons, through neural systems, to broader questions of consciousness and the self - in health and in disease.

Toxicology

Toxicology is a scientific field of study for graduates of single Master's degree programs who have completed a total of at least 20 KT in biochemistry, toxicological chemistry, toxicology, molecular biology, cell biology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and related subjects.

Veterinary Medicine

The study content allows the PhD student to build on their basic knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of selected topics in the veterinary sciences. The content includes morphological-functional properties of the animal cell, the cell as a carrier of heredity, and the regulation of gene expression.

Scientific Aspects of Health Professions

This scientific field of study is eligible for the graduates of the following Master's degree study programs: Physiotherapy, Nursing, Sanitary engineering, Radiologic technology.

Admission Requirements

Enrolment in the interdisciplinary doctoral study program Biomedicine is open to candidates who have completed:

• a second-cycle study program
• a study program leading to professions regulated by EU directives, or another integrated master's degree program evaluated at 300 ECTS credits
• a study program leading to an academic higher education qualification, adopted before 11 June 2004
• a master of science degree or a study program leading to specialization, if the candidate has previously completed a program leading to an academic higher education qualification

Selection Criteria

In the event of restricted enrolment, the candidates will be selected based on:

• performance in 2nd cycle studies or performance in an integrated master's program evaluated at 300 credits
• the selection exam, where the following is also evaluated:
  1. a reviewed scientific article, published or accepted for publication
  2. awards and recognitions
  3. professional specialization
  4. other

Mandatory Annexes to the Call for Applications

1. Diploma: a certified or certified true copy of the diploma attesting completion of a second cycle degree program or a bachelor's degree program completed before 11 June 2004.
2. Diploma supplement or certificate of the average mark in examinations and exercises and the grade of the thesis.
3. Mentor's declaration: applicants must find a mentor before enrolling.
4. Conceptual outline of the doctoral dissertation: At the time of application, and at the latest before enrolment, the candidate should give a brief outline of the research problem on no more than two A4 pages.

Additional Annexes

• Bibliography: a bibliography or other evidence of scientific articles published or accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Student prizes and awards: evidence of authorship of an award-winning student thesis.
• International and national competition prizes: proof of prize(s) in international and national competitions.
• Presentations at conferences and symposia: proof of presentations at conferences and symposia.
• Professional specialization: proof of completion of professional specialization.

Tuition

Tuition fees and study contributions are published in the price list for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Related Programs

• 3rd cycle: Biosciences
• 3rd cycle: Environmental Protection
• 3rd cycle: Materials Science and Engineering
• 3rd cycle: Statistics