Overview
Immunology is a dynamically evolving field integrating the knowledge of molecular and cell biology, physiology, reproductive immunology, histology and functional morphology (in the context of evolution and ontogeny) into a single entity, the link between which is the immune system. The immune system is a system of molecules, cells and tissues involved in the immune response. Topics such as transplantation, allergy, immune deficiency, autoimmunity, immunosuppression, immunotherapy, and antitumor immunity are typical areas of interest for immunologists. Immunology covers all levels of biological knowledge, from molecules (cytokines, immunoglobulins, receptors, signalling molecules), to cells (the whole plethora of immunocompetent cells), whole organisms (transgenic animal models are often used here) and communities (frequency of different alleles of genes regulating the immune response, evolution of immune mechanisms). Clinical immunology is a separate emancipated part of immunology, for which the human immune system is the object of study and the understanding of its functioning mechanisms leads to the development of potential therapeutic applications.
Start of studies in the winter semester (October)
Opening of applications and publication of the dissertation topics: 15. 2. 2026
Application by: 30. 4. 2026
Detailed information about the study programme
Offer of dissertation topics:
- Biochemical characterisation of immune receptors and their ligands
- Decoding lymphoid-myeloid communication in homeostasis and disease
- Determinants of bacterial strain-specific influence on juvenile mammalian growth under nutritional stress
- Drug Delivery Systems for Combined Anticancer Therapy Based on Modulation of the STING Pathway
- Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell adaptations to stress
- Mapping Adrenal Autoimmunity: Mechanisms and Interventions in Addison’s disease
- Mechanism of somatic hypermutation targeting and its role in the B lymphoma formation
- Mucosal immunity development during the early life window of opportunity
- Potentiation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses through strong sustained IL-2 signaling and IL-1β: implication for cancer immunotherapy
- PTPN1/2 inhibition in combination with PD-1 blockage in ovarian cancer: impact on T cell status and tumor-associated macrophages
- Targeted Delivery of siRNA and Chemotherapeutics for Modulation of the Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment
- The effect of cold acclimation on immune system
- Transcriptional and metabolic control of chronic inflammation in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
- Understanding tolerogenic antigen presentation by intranodal non-professional antigen- presenting cells
Profile of the graduate
The graduate’s profile of the Doctoral Study Program (DSP) Parasitology is largely determined by the specific objectives of the doctoral thesis, which determines the nature of the training for independent scientific work or for practice in the field. The graduate has expertise in various parasitic organisms (e.g., protozoa, helminths, arthropods), especially their molecular biology, immunology and biochemistry, as well as their pathogenicity or epidemiology, all with an emphasis on host–parasite interaction. The graduate is able to solve theoretical and practical problems related to the research on parasites and parasitic diseases at multidisciplinary level, both in basic and applied research. Is well versed in the issues connected with the doctoral thesis and is able to solve theoretical and practical problems related to parasites at multidisciplinary level. The graduate is able to discuss with experts at the international level and to present achieved results in international journals and at scientific meetings. Is able to participate in international projects focused on parasitology or related disciplines and are ready to work at universities and research institutes, in education sector, health care or veterinary medicine, but also in state/governmental administration or in private (e.g., pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies), both in the Czech Republic and abroad.
Application submission
The application is submitted electronically through the Charles University study information system. The completed application must be submitted electronically in the study information system no later than on 30. 4. 2026 for study programmes starting in the winter semester (October) and no later than on 15. 12. 2025 for study programmes starting in the summer semester (April).
The admission fee is 100 EUR and it is paid for each submitted application.
Required application appendice is the agreement of a supervisor in the format of the following form available here. We recommend reaching out to the supervisor as soon as possible (ideally before 31. 3. 2026 for study programmes starting in the winter semester and before 30. 11. 2025 for study programmes starting in the summer semester), so the application could be send out in time in case the agreement is granted.
Entrance exam
The regular date of entrance exam for all doctoral programmes starting in the winter semester (October) is in June 2026 (to be specified), an alternative date is in June 2026 (to be specified).
The regular date of entrance exam for all doctoral programmes starting in the summer semester (April) is 4. – 5. 2. 2026, an alternative date is 11. – 12. 2. 2026.
The request for an alternative day is submitted and approved via the electronic information system.
The form of the entrance exam is an oral interview, which mainly concerns the issues of the planned dissertation and the candidate’s knowledge within the field of expertise of the given study programme.
Find more information in:
- Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, for study programmes starting in the winter semester (October)
or - Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, for study programmes starting in the summer semester (April).
Important links
Detailed description of the study program on the website of the Department of Cell Biology
Applicants with specific needs
If you have a physical handicap, you can apply for a modification of the entrance exam. For more information read the Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes.
Departments involved in this programme
Guarantor of the study programme
doc. RNDr. Magdaléna Krulová, Ph.D.
magdalena.krulova@natur.cuni.cz
Do you have a question?
Complete information about the admission procedure can be found on the website for applicants. For questions, please contact the admissions contact persons.
