Biological sciences

 The discipline of biological science is fundamental to human development under changing climatic and economic conditions and to identifying and eliminating threats to that development. Research in the Institute of Biology, including scientific areas covered by students in the Doctoral School, is consistent with key research objectives and strategies necessary for learning about the world around us and solving existing biological problems. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the units within the Institute of Biology, the candidate for the Doctoral School may select areas of interest from among many available topics and conduct research on animal and cancer cell lines, plant material as well as microorganisms.

The units of the Institute of Biology conduct research in the biological sciences on the following topics:

 • Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology: Studies the effects of abiotic and biotic stress on the metabolism and functioning of land plants and microorganisms. The studies include metagenomic analyses of microbial communities in the rhizosphere. The Department conducts a wide range of molecular and bioinformatics analyses.

 • Department of Botany: the unit specialises in highly advanced basic research on: plant interactions with pathogens (e.g. plant viruses and nematodes), with symbiotic microorganisms, and the effects of trace metals on the development and adaptation of naturally growing populations. Analyses of interactions between plants and pathogenic organisms are multilevel and use advanced molecular and microscopic methods.

 • Department of Plant Physiology: the unit specialises in the analysis of broadly defined physiological parameters and factors regulating plant physiology under different conditions with particular emphasis on seed biology. A key component of the research is the physiological and biochemical aspect of plant responses to various environmental factors from drought to allelopathic or phytotoxic compounds. Studies include biochemical and molecular analyses.

 • Department of Physics and Biophysics: the unit conducts basic and applied research of interdisciplinary nature in the field of: a) electrophysiology, b) ion transport, c) microfluidics, d) biosensors, e) molecular biophysics. The aim of the research is to design biosensors for automatic measurement of properties of cells, biological membranes and physiologically active molecules. Additionally, the studies focus on measuring ion transport across monolayers of epithelial cells, or membranes of intracellular organelles such as mitochondria.

 • Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology: The unit conducts advanced molecular research on gene characteristics and variation in crop plants to enable biological advancement that is needed under changing climatic and economic conditions. In addition, research is conducted on the effects of abiotic stress and the effects of different types of light on model plants to better understand plant plasticity and the complexity of their responses to stress factors.

 • Department of Nanobiotechnology: research concerns the application of nanostructures (both noble metals and allotropes of carbon) and innovative bioactive substances as nanobiomolecules of anticancer, regenerative and nutritional nature. Experiments related to the ecotoxicological aspects of nanobiotechnology are also performed.

Recruitment

Recruitment schedule 2025/2026

The following dates are adopted in the recruitment process:

1) 28 July-11 August 2025 – registration in IRK system – submission of an application for admission to the Doctoral School and other required documents

2) 20-22 August 2025 – submission of copies of documents (originals must be available for review) by candidates qualified for the second stage of recruitment (place of submission – Doctoral School office)*

3) by 28 August 2025 – publication of the recruitment interview schedule

4) 2-8 September 2025 – recruitment interviews conducted by recruitment committees appointed for each discipline

5) by 18 September 2025 – announcement of the list of those admitted to the Doctoral School

Start of PhD education – 1 October 2025

The recruitment schedule may change and is always published in the Doctoral School tab on the Warsaw University of Life Sciences website.

*Candidates staying out of Poland, admitted to the Doctoral School, submit the original documents for inspection upon arrival in Poland

Recruitment fee

The Doctoral School charges a fee for the recruitment process. The amount of the recruitment fee for the WULS-SGGW Doctoral School in the academic year 2025/2026 is:

           PLN 300 if the payment is made to an account in PLN

 (account number for PLN payments - 68 1240 6003 1111 0011 3480 4676)

           or EUR 80 if the fee is paid to an account in EUR

 (account number for EUR payments - 73 1240 6003 1978 0011 3480 4692).

[Transfer title: Name and Surname - SD recruitment fee]

Form of the qualification procedure

The Doctoral School recruitment shall be carried out in the form of an open competition, and it shall consist of three stages:

a) the first recruitment stage consists in formal verification of the documents submitted. Only those candidates who successfully complete verification of the documents shall be admitted to the second stage;

b) the second recruitment stage consists in substantive assessment of the documents by the recruitment committee;

c) the third recruitment stage consists in an interview with the candidate and assessment of the doctoral dissertation concept.

The maximum score that may be obtained by a candidate in the qualification procedure is 60 points. The minimum score necessary for admission to the Doctoral School is 31 points. The minimum score does not guarantee admission to the Doctoral School.

Language of the qualification procedure, including the interview

The interview may be carried out  in Polish language.

Candidates for learning pathway with English language of instruction shall be interviewed in English.

 A candidate to the Doctoral School shall submit the following documents:

• application for admission to the Doctoral School;
• Data for the personal questionnaire
• CV;
• a copy of the uniform long-cycle magister degree studies completion diploma together with a supplement (or 1st cycle and 2nd cycle studies completion diplomas with supplements) or a certificate of having passed the magister examination;
• preliminary concept of the doctoral dissertation containing the working title of the dissertation, purpose of research, proposed research methods, short review of literature with the bibliography (maximum 3 -5 pages);
• the consent from the future supervisor of the candidate’s choice to accept to exercise supervision over the candidate with regard to the proposed concept of the doctoral dissertation; if the future supervisor of the candidate’s choice is not an SGGW employee, the candidate shall attach the consent of the second supervisor or auxiliary supervisor who must be an SGGW employee;
• 1 photograph – complying with the requirements applicable for ID cards;
• documents confirming knowledge of a modern foreign language at least at the proficiency level of B2 according to the requirements of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (originals must be available for review); if the candidate holds a diploma of completion of studies with a supplement, the document confirming knowledge of the foreign language at the B2 level is the diploma supplement;
• list of publications and other scientific and research accomplishments, along with copies of documents confirming such accomplishments (originals must be available for review);
• documents evidencing additional qualifications that are important from the point of view of the planned doctoral dissertation (originals to be presented for inspection);
• scans of documents confirming the secured financing of doctoral research as part of the implemented project (if applicable).

      A candidate who has obtained a graduation diploma from studies abroad that are equivalent to master’s studies, shall additionally submit:

• original diploma;
• translation of the diploma into Polish or English, authenticated by competent persons or institutions;
• document confirming recognition of the diploma or a certificate releasing from the recognition procedure, if required;
• document confirming knowledge of the English language at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (applicable to candidates for the learning pathway with the English language of instruction);
• document confirming knowledge of the Polish language at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (applicable to candidates for the learning pathway with the Polish language of instruction).

 The qualification procedure is initiated at the above-mentioned application for admission to the Doctoral School, submitted by a candidate who registered in the IRK system and paid the recruitment fee.

Assessment criteria

Requirements for admission to the school - obtaining at least 31 points throughout the entire qualification process.