Additional competitions

1. Additional admissions competition for the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences in the discipline of biological sciences

Pursuant to § 22(3) of Resolution No. 17 of the Senate of the University of Warsaw of 20 January 2021 on the rules of admission to the doctoral schools of the University of Warsaw (Monitor UW, 2024, item 120), the Director of the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences at the University of Warsaw announces an additional admissions competition for the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences in the discipline of physical sciences.

Annex to the announcement — Abstract

Registration in the IRK online admissions system: LINK

Discipline: biological sciences

Number of places available: 1

Proposed doctoral dissertation topic: Mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus immune evasion and the host’s protective humoral response in bacteraemia

Proposed dissertation topic: Mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus Immune Evasion and Protective Host Humoral Immunity in Bacteraemia

The research will be carried out under the supervision of:

– Dr hab. Marta Zapotoczna / Centrum Nauk Biologiczno-Chemicznych, Uniwersytet Warszawski
– Prof. dr hab. n med. Karina Jahns-Różyk / Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy

Requirements and examination scope:

Subject-Specific Requirements:

Knowledge of microbiology, molecular biology, and immunology, particularly the biology of bacterial infections and the host response to infection.
Ability to formulate hypotheses, design experiments with appropriate controls, critically interpret results, and critically evaluate scientific literature in English.
Experience working with bacteria or biological material, as well as experience in at least one of the following areas, is desirable: immunological techniques, molecular biology, biological data analysis, or bioinformatics. Prior knowledge of all methods used in the project is not required at the recruitment stage.

Examination Topics:

Biology of Staphylococcus aureus and the pathogenesis of bacteremia: virulence factors, adhesins, toxins, protein A, and mechanisms of bacterial persistence in the host.
Fundamentals of innate and humoral immunity in bacterial infections: neutrophil functions, antibody responses, toxin neutralization, and opsonophagocytic killing of bacteria; the distinction between antibody concentration and protective antibody activity.
Fundamentals of research methods relevant to the project: isolate phenotyping, antibody and toxin quantification, serum functional assays, whole-genome sequencing, and comparative analysis of genetic data.
Principles of designing and interpreting studies investigating the relationship between pathogen characteristics, host immune responses, and the clinical course of infection, including basic statistical methods, assessment of confounding factors, and limitations of statistical inference.

Admissions schedule

Candidate registration in IRK: 2–15 October 2026 (closing time: 11:59 a.m.)
Submission of letters of recommendation: by 15 October 2026
Selection procedure: 19–23 October 2026
Publication of the ranking list: 26 October 2026
Submission of documents by candidates selected for admission: 27–29 October 2026
Publication of the list of candidates admitted to the Doctoral School: 29 October 2026

2. Additional admissions competition for the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences in the discipline of biological sciences

Annex to the announcement — Abstract

Registration in the IRK online admissions system: LINK

Discipline: biological sciences

Number of places available: 1

Proposed doctoral dissertation topic: Molecular Differences Between Cutaneous and Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Their Microenvironments: Implications for Tumor Progression and Dissemination

The research will be carried out under the supervision of:

Dr hab. Agnieszka Kobielak, University of Warsaw Professor / Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw
Prof. dr hab. n. med. i n. o zdr. Witold Owczarek / Military Institute of Medicine — National Research Institute

Requirements and examination scope

Academic requirements:

- A Master’s degree in biology or a related field.
- Good command of English.
- Ability to formulate hypotheses, design experiments with appropriate controls, critically interpret results, and analyse scientific literature in English.
- Knowledge of molecular biology, epithelial stem cell biology, cancer stem cells, and squamous cell carcinomas, including their development and progression.
- Previous experience working with mouse models and possession of an appropriate training certificate authorising work with laboratory animals in Poland.
- Experience working with epithelial stem cells and cancer stem cells.
- Laboratory experience in the following techniques: gel electrophoresis, PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, DNA/RNA/protein extraction and purification, DNA cloning, lentiviral techniques, Western blotting, cryosectioning and paraffin sectioning, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, mammalian cell culture, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).

Examination scope:

- Cell biology.
- Cell signalling.
- Epithelial stem cells.
- Cancer stem cells.
- Biology of squamous cell carcinomas, including their development and progression.

Admissions schedule

Candidate registration in IRK: from 2 October 2026 [end date incomplete in the source] (closing time: 11:59 a.m.)
Submission of letters of recommendation: by 15 October 2026
Selection procedure: 19–23 October 2026
Publication of the ranking list: October 2026 [day not specified in the source]
Submission of documents by candidates selected for admission: 27–29 October 2026
Publication of the list of candidates admitted to the Doctoral School: 29 October 2026

Application fee: PLN 300

Required documents

Candidates must submit their application for admission to the School exclusively through IRK. The application must include:

The discipline in which the candidate intends to undertake doctoral education; their PESEL number or passport number; citizenship; contact details (residential address, email address and telephone number); a declaration stating whether the candidate consents to receiving administrative decisions by electronic means; and consent to the processing of personal data for the purposes of the admissions procedure.
A scanned copy of the diploma confirming completion of a long-cycle master’s degree programme or a second-cycle degree programme, or an equivalent diploma obtained under separate regulations. If the diploma is equivalent to a diploma confirming completion of a long-cycle master’s degree programme or a second-cycle degree programme, the candidate must provide justification for that equivalence. If the diploma was issued in a language other than Polish or English, the candidate must attach a certified translation.
A description of the preliminary research project proposal, including its title, in English. The description must not exceed four pages and must use Times New Roman or an equivalent typeface, a font size of at least 11 points, single line spacing, top and bottom margins of at least 1.5 cm, and side margins of at least 2 cm.
A résumé or CV containing information on the candidate’s research activity, including research interests and achievements during the five calendar years preceding submission of the application. If the candidate became a parent during that period and provides a scanned copy of the child’s birth certificate with the application, the period is extended by two years for each child. The résumé or CV should include, in particular, information on publications; research and organisational work within student research societies; participation in academic conferences; participation in research projects; awards and distinctions; research internships; completed training in research skills; science outreach activities; activity in representative bodies of the research community; grade point average; professional career; and knowledge of foreign languages.
Scanned copies of materials substantiating the research activity listed in the résumé or CV.
A document confirming proficiency in English at a level of at least B2, or a declaration of proficiency in English sufficient to undertake education at the School.
A scanned declaration from the prospective supervisor confirming their willingness to supervise the candidate and stating the number of doctoral candidates for whom they are currently the appointed supervisor, using the template set out in Annex No. 4 to Resolution No. 17 of the Senate of the University of Warsaw of 20 January 2021 on the rules of admission to the doctoral schools of the University of Warsaw (Monitor UW, 2024, item 120). The candidate may also attach a scanned opinion from the prospective supervisor and opinions from other researchers concerning the candidate and their research activity or research project proposal.
A photograph showing the candidate’s face and enabling their identification.
A declaration stating whether the candidate is or has been a doctoral candidate or a participant in doctoral studies, or whether a doctoral degree procedure has been or was previously initiated in respect of the candidate. If so, the declaration must provide the title of the doctoral dissertation or research project being prepared by the candidate, together with the first name and surname of their supervisor.
A declaration confirming that the candidate has read Resolution No. 17 of the Senate of the University of Warsaw of 20 January 2021 on the rules of admission to the doctoral schools of the University of Warsaw (Monitor UW, 2024, item 120), and Articles 40 and 41 of the Code of Administrative Procedure.
Contact details for two persons who will send letters of recommendation for the candidate directly to rekrutacja.nsp@uw.edu.pl, for the discipline of biological sciences. Failure to receive the letters of recommendation does not render the application for admission to the School incomplete. These letters may be taken into account when assessing the candidate’s research potential. The authors must send their letters directly in electronic form by 15 October 2026.
Scanned academic transcripts for first- and second-cycle degree programmes or a long-cycle master’s degree programme, or equivalent documents, such as a diploma supplement.
An abstract of the master’s thesis or master’s project in English, not exceeding 3,000 characters, including spaces.

Format of the selection procedure and available points

The selection procedure consists of a single stage. The maximum score available in the selection procedure is 100 points.

Language of the selection procedure, including the admissions interview

The admissions interview is conducted in Polish or English, according to the candidate’s preference indicated in IRK. If Polish is selected, the interview may include a part conducted in English.

Assessment criteria and methods

I. Preliminary research project proposal (maximum score: 5 points)

The assessment of the preliminary research project proposal takes into account:

The feasibility of carrying out the project in light of the candidate’s documented competencies.
The scientific significance of the project.
The anticipated added value for the research community in the relevant discipline.

II. Candidate’s research activity (maximum score: 15 points)

The assessment of research activity takes into account the following achievements, supported by scanned documentation:

Scientific publications. A scanned copy of the title page is required. For achievements involving multiple authors, the candidate’s percentage contribution must be specified.
Confirmed participation in student competitions.
Confirmed participation in research projects. A scanned certificate issued by the project leader is required.
Papers or presentations delivered at seminars and conferences. A scanned document confirming delivery of the presentation is required.
Documented research internships.
Achievements through participation in student research societies. A scanned certificate signed by the society’s president is required.

III. Entrance examination (maximum score: 40 points)

An oral examination assessing the candidate’s knowledge and skills in the discipline of biological sciences.

IV. Admissions interview (maximum score: 40 points)

The admissions interview assesses the candidate’s research potential. It may include the following elements:

A discussion of the candidate’s master’s thesis, including their understanding of the topic, the research hypotheses and how they were investigated, the results obtained and the conclusions drawn.
Questions concerning the candidate’s research achievements and their first- and second-cycle studies or long-cycle master’s studies, including courses related to the subject of the doctoral dissertation.
Questions concerning the information provided in the letters of recommendation, including the nature and outcomes of the candidate’s collaboration with the authors.
Questions concerning the doctoral project and other information contained in the documentation submitted by the candidate.

Admission requirement

Admission to the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences requires the candidate to rank within the number of available places on the ranking list and to obtain at least 50 points in the selection procedure.

Programme of study

The programme lasts four years. It includes compulsory classes, totalling no more than 300 hours over the entire period of education, and implementation of an individual research programme under the direction of a supervisor.

Preparation of the doctoral dissertation within the programme must not exceed four years.

Scholarship

The monthly doctoral scholarship is:

PLN 4,236.00 gross, up to and including the month in which the doctoral candidate’s mid-term evaluation at the doctoral school takes place.
PLN 5,500.50 gross, from the month following the month in which the doctoral candidate’s mid-term evaluation at the doctoral school takes place.

The scholarship is paid in accordance with the provisions of the Act of 20 July 2018 — Law on Higher Education and Science.

The total period for which a doctoral scholarship may be received at a doctoral school must not exceed four years. The amounts stated above may change if the minister responsible for higher education and science announces a new base rate.