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28. 8. 2025, 12:23
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Newsletter for PhD students and Postdocs
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Dear PhD students and Postdocs,
As the summer months slowly come to an end, we are preparing to welcome the challenges and opportunities of the new academic year. This year brings groundbreaking changes regarding the new concept of doctoral study income. We recommend following the faculty and university channels so you don’t miss anything important.
We will strive to provide up to date information related to your studies, professional development, and contribute to your overall well-being.
We wish you a successful start to the new academic year 2025/2026!
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Save the Date:
Brno PhD Talent 2025 - Competition call open. September 4 - 23, 2025. (First-year students – Read attentively and don´t hesitate to sign up!)  Workshop for Applicants on September 4, 2025 (9:00), JCMM, Česká 11, Brno
Garden Party at Kotlářská - Students and employees party. September 15, 2025, (14:00 - 18:00). Kotlářská 2, Brno
Dean's Barbecue - Informal event for students with BBQ, music and the dean! September 23, 2025, (16:30 - 18:00). UCB, between pavillions C13 / C14
MUNI PhD Welcome Day 2025 - Information event for PhD students from all faculties. September 22, 2025, (14:00 - 17:00). Komenského nám. 2, Brno
MUNI SCI PhD Day - Event full of informations for MUNI SCI PhD students. September 24, 2025, (13:00 - 15:00). UCB / D29, Room RCX1
JIC Open Day & Fall Night - Explore Brno’s Silicon Valley. October 8, 2025, (12:00 – 22:00). JIC INMEC, Purkyňova 127, Brno
Erasmus Days 2025 - Informative event for students at our faculty. TBS (October 13 - 18, 2025), UKB / Kotlářská
Falling Walls Science Summit - Conference. November 6 - 9, 2025. Berlin / Online
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MUNI SCI PhD Day 2025 is Coming Up - Save the Date and Be Sure to Come!
Join us for an informative and inspiring afternoon focused on PhD life at our faculty and beyond. You'll get a clear picture of what PhD studies at our faculty involve — from your rights and responsibilities to the practical aspects of funding, grants, internships, and international opportunities. We’ll also introduce various support services, competitions, and other useful resources available to help you throughout your doctoral journey.
We’ll start the afternoon with a series of short, practical presentations that will guide you through the essentials of PhD studies. After that, there willbe time to relax and connect during a friendly coffee time — a great chance to chat, ask questions, and meet fellow students and faculty members.
The event is especially helpful for:
New PhD students
Master's students considering doctoral studies
But everyone is welcome
Don’t miss out – register now!
We look forward to seeing you there.
When: September 24, 2025 (13:00 - 15:00)
Where: UCB, D29/252 (RCX1)
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The Doctoral Support Scholarship vs. Doctoral Study Income - What is the Difference?
Have you heard about the changes in scholarships for doctoral students that await us in the new academic year? If not, study the proposed information channels carefully to choose the most advantageous option. Read the article on the current topic through the eyes of MUNI SCI students.
If you missed the information events on changes in doctoral income that took place in June and July, we recommend watching the recording (available both in the Czech and the English version). For any further questions, contact us at: phdprijem@sci.muni.cz.
 The application for doctoral study income will open on September 15, 2025. However, the scholarship will be paid for the entire month regardless of the date of application.
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Shape the Future of Biomedical Research and Join a Team Where Science Meets Innovation!
Are you interested in core facilities and cutting-edge technologies—from cells to animals and everything in between?
Would you like to first gain experience abroad and then join the new Preclinical Centre at Masaryk University (built as part of BioPharmaHub)?
We offer a unique opportunity to grow your expertise in a top-tier research infrastructure as part of ARISE2 programme.
If you consider this career opportunity, please contact:
prof. Mgr. Vítězslav Bryja, Ph.D. – bryja@sci.muni.cz
Get involved – and be part of something big!
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Last Call – A.6. Faculty Scholarship for PhD Students!
Good news – we still have funds available under the A.6. PhD Student Mobility Scholarship Programme for doctoral students for stays in 2025. These grants are intended to support study stays and internships abroad and offer an excellent opportunity to boost your research and international profile.
- Available to full-time and combined doctoral students enrolled in their standard study duration (with a one-year extension)
- Stay abroad must begin in 2025.
- Priority is given to longer stays (30+ days), but shorter stays (minimum 14 days) may be supported if they’re part of a mandatory stay (30+ days stay)
- The scholarship helps with travel and living expenses; travel contributions based on distance, and daily living allowances depending on the destination country.
- To apply, submit an application in the IS MU Document Office with a Learning Agreement or a Learning Agreement for Traineeships.
- No deadline – applications are accepted until the allocated budget is exhausted
Before applying, please review the guidelines or contact us – we’re happy to help.
Contact person: Kristýna Bajgarová, bajgarova@sci.muni.cz
Don’t miss this chance to enhance your doctoral journey with valuable international experience—apply now before funds run out!
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Boost Your Research Career with a Swiss Scholarship
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026/2027 are aimed at highly qualified early-career researchers from abroad who wish to pursue a PhD or postdoctoral research at a Swiss university of applied sciences, ETHZ, EPFL, or one of the ETH Domain research institutes.
Eligible applicants must hold a Master’s or PhD degree completed between January 1, 2023, and July 31, 2026 and submit a detailed research plan supported by an academic supervisor in Switzerland.
(preference is given to candidates with no prior research experience in Switzerland)
The scholarship supports full-time research for up to 12 months (non-renewable), starting on September 1, 2026, and provides CHF 3,500/month to cover basic living costs (not a salary).
Selection is based on academic excellence, the quality and originality of the project, and potential for future collaboration. More info.
Call opens on: September 2, 2025 / Deadline: November 17, 2025.
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MUNI Mendel Doctorandus
Would you like to take your PhD studies to the next level?
Consider applying for the MUNI Mendel Doctorandus programme!
The programme is designed for outstanding students who want to push the set standards even higher during their doctoral studies at MUNI, through the completion of interdisciplinary lectures, a mentoring programme and other developmental activities preparing them for their future career. Students are offered the possibility of an extended three-month internship abroad, thus opening a path to the European Doctorate or MMD International Certificate.
Find more information about the MUNI Mendel Doctorandus programme on our website.
The admission process for MUNI Mendel Doctorandus programme is now open!
Deadline for submitting the application: September 28, 2025.
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Life Sciences Seminar Series - Autumn 2025
Register for the Life Sciences Seminar Series: Join other PhD and MSc students for interesting interdisciplinary lectures led by renowned scientists who will share their knowledge with Masaryk University students! The seminar series is mainly focused on currently growing fields which combine modern methods of biophysics, computational modelling, imaging, biochemistry and molecular biology with "more classical" disciplines such as microbiology, cell biology, physiology, genetics, toxicology, developmental and evolutionary biology and medicine. The seminar is conducted in English.
Registration in IS under code Bi0011!
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The Czech Final Round of the Falling Walls Competition is Approaching
The 10th annual Falling Walls Lab Czech Republic international competition will take place at the NTK - National Technical Library, with the aim of bringing together the future generation of great scientists and innovators. They can come up with a breathtaking idea – a scientific project, business plan, or social initiative that will break down all walls and barriers. The contestants' presentations will be in English in a "pitch-talk" format, lasting a maximum of three minutes. It doesn't matter whether the topic is computer science or medicine, economics or chemistry—the competition is open to anyone who is convinced of their idea and can convince others of it as well. All students and postdocs are welcome!
The Czech final of the international Falling Walls project will take place on September 15, 2025, at 17:00, at the National Technical Library in Prague.
The winner of the national round will represent the Czech Republic at the global finals in Berlin, which are regularly organised on the eve of the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. This year, it will take place on November 7 - 9, 2025. Held in English.
When: September 15, 2025, (17:00)
Where: The National Technical Library, Prague
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Conferences and Workshops
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"Applied! Od výzkumu k byznysu" - JIC Programme for Early-stage Researchers
Are you a PhD student at a Brno university? Working on an exciting research project and wondering if it could have a real-world impact? Join the Applied! Od výzkumu k byznysu programme and explore how to turn your research into a business opportunity. Over seven inspiring afternoons at the JIC in the Brno Technology Park, you’ll learn how to identify the business potential of your research, develop entrepreneurial skills, and meet researchers who have successfully bridged the gap between academia and industry. Each session starts at 13:00 and ends at 17:30, with plenty of breaks and time to connect.
What to expect:
Expert talks on how to transfer research into practice
Interactive workshops to apply new knowledge to your project
Mentoring sessions with experienced professionals
Networking with like-minded peers and special guests over refreshments
Learn more and register here. (In Czech)
Held in Czech / Fee CZK 3,000
When: October 2 - December 11, 2025, (13:00 – 17:00)
Where: JIC INMEC, Purkyňova 127, Brno
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Early-stage Researchers Wanted: Present Your Work at YSS25!
We warmly invite students and researchers to participate in the Young Scientist Symposium 2025 (YSS25), held on November 18, 2025, at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) in Klosterneuburg. The YSS25 is a one-day international symposium designed for early-career scientists (from PhDs to postdocs and PIs), from Austria and neighboring countries.
This year’s theme will be “Unlocking Nature’s Genius: Advancing Science and Society”. The event will highlight nature-inspired technologies across life, mathematical, and physical sciences.
The programme features:
Keynote lectures by leading experts
Contributed talks and poster sessions
Networking with researchers and industry representatives
More than 300 participants are expected, including four keynote speakers and industry partners from across Europe.
Apply to present your research (poster or short talk) by September 30, 2025
General registration is open until October 23, 2025 – free of charge!
When: November 18, 2025
Where: ISTA, Klosterneuburg, Austria
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Let Your Research Travel The World — Without Leaving Your Desk! Join The AIU Research Showcase 2025
Akita International University (AIU) is pleased to invite faculty members from international partner institutions to contribute to the AIU Research Showcase 2025, a virtual event dedicated to highlighting research excellence across disciplines and borders. Since 2022, this annual showcase has expanded beyond the AIU campus to include voices from our global academic network, aiming to foster meaningful research exchange and spark new collaborations. All submissions will be reviewed by AIU’s Research Management Committee, who look forward to receiving your abstract and sharing your work with our vibrant international academic community. There are no restrictions on academic fields, diverse perspectives from all areas are welcome! More info.
What to Expect:
Present your current or past research to a global academic audience
Reach a network of over 200 partner universities in 52 countries
Connect with AIU researchers and explore potential collaborative projects
Flexible format: pre-recorded video presentations hosted on AIU’s website and YouTube channel
Online abstract submission: August 31, 2025 / here.
Event duration: November 21 – December 15, 2025.
Held in English and Online.
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Call Open: EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2025
The EIC Pathfinder is a funding programme under Horizon Europe that offers support to research teams. One of its initiatives is the EIC Pathfinder Challenges, where applicants can apply as a group or individually for funding of up to €4 million for their research, with the aim of achieving breakthrough research in one of the following four areas:
- Biotech for Climate Resilient Crops and plant-based biomanufacturing
- Generative AI agents for advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Waste-to-value technologies converting problematic waste into renewable materials
Each challenge area has a €30 million budget. Selected projects will collaborate within a dedicated portfolio managed by an EIC Programme Manager. More info.
Deadline: October 29, 2025
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Interesting Reading for PhD Students and Postdocs
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Love For Science Alone is Not Enough for PhD Students to Live On
Text: Ema Marušáková
Starting this September, PhD students in the Czech Republic will see a major change — they will be legally entitled to a minimum income amounting to at least 1.2 times the minimum wage.
Masaryk University has been working for several years to improve conditions for those at the beginning of their research careers. Most recently, the effort to significantly enhance the socio-economic background of PhD students has been reflected in an amendment to the Higher Education Act. The amendment states that newly enrolled doctoral students must be guaranteed an income of at least 1.2 times the minimum wage, which for this academic year amounts to CZK 24,960. Masaryk University has extended this guaranteed income to all PhD students who are studying in the full-time form of a doctoral study programme and within the standard period of their study and meeting their academic obligations. By law, this guaranteed income applies regardless of the language of the study programme.
Details on doctoral study admission can be found here.
We asked students from the Faculty of Science how they perceive this change. Researcher Maja Klimentić, a doctoral student in the Environmental Health Sciences programme at the RECETOX centre, and Jakub Hruška, who is a student of the Life Sciences study program and works at Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC) of Masaryk University.
Maja Klimentić comes from Bosnia and Herzegovina and completed her Master’s degree at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague. At Masaryk University, she focuses on how PFAS, so-called "forever chemicals", influence newborns' developing immunity during pregnancy. Jakub Hruška is currently focusing on combining atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the study of biological samples. They shared their views with M Magazine. Read more.
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Sites we recommend to follow:
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Distributed by:
Office for Doctoral Studies, Quality, Academic Affairs and Internationalization (noskova@sci.muni.cz)
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