The PhD program at IISER Mohali involves course work, a qualifying examination, thesis work and a thesis examination, leading to the award of a PhD degree. Besides research, the scholars are involved in several activities such as helping the faculty as teaching assistants in theory courses and laboratory sessions. PhD students are also expected to participate actively in seminars, journal clubs, workshops, etc. There is considerable interaction amongst students at different levels and PhD students contribute significantly to mentoring fifth year MS students in research laboratories.
The applicant should have a Master’s degree / B.Tech / MBBS / M.Tech / M.Pharm with a good academic record (at least 60% and above) and should be GATE / CSIR-UGC (JRF/LS) / ICMR-JRF / ICAR-NET / DBT-JRF / DBT-BINC / DST-INSPIRE qualified in the relevant subject or other national-level fellowship or sponsored fellowships by private or state agencies.
Prospective candidates should apply online using the "Online Application Facility” by visiting the website at https://www.iisermohali.ac.in. Short-listed candidates will be invited for a screening test/interview at IISER Mohali.
A PhD student must complete 24 credits of course work with a CPI of 7.0 to appear for the PhD comprehensive examination. A PhD student who has done relevant course work at a reputable institute may apply for course waiver for a certain number of credits not exceeding . A student who is admitted to the PhD programme after BS-MS programme from another IISER will be exempted from the course work requirements. A PhD student is put on Academic Probation for one semester if the CPI is below 7. A student on Probation must sign an undertaking in a prescribed format as verified by the office of the Dean Academics at the beginning of the semester. Moreover, the student must only register during that semester for a list of courses approved by the Dean Academics. A student on probation who is unable to raise her/his academic performance above the limits as listed above at the end of the semester will have her/his programme terminated.
The PhD students at DBS engage in comprehensive experimental, observational and computational research in various cutting edge areas of biology. The ideas are conceived, planned, executed and concluded jointly in individual research teams led by the principle investigators. Students are expected to practice the ethics and and the philosophy of science taught during their stay at the institute. Most students are able to publish their research work in internationally reputed peer reviewed journals.
After completion of their PhD, most students successfully embark upon their post-doc journeys in renowned labs in US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. Some also find their dream jobs in industries. DBS is proud to state that many of its students have eventually become faculty at other IISERs, IITs, and other institutes of national importance.
