PhD Positions in Systems Medicine - Become part of a network shaping the future of biomedical research

The innovative PhD Program in Systems Medicine, coordinated by the European School of Molecular Medicine (SEMM), is offering fully funded PhD positions within a collaborative national network of 7 leading universities and 8 major research centers across Italy.

The program aims to train a new generation of researchers to address the complexity of human disease through an integrated, systems-level approach, combining molecular biology, data science, and clinical research.

About the Program

We welcome applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds, spanning hard sciences, life sciences and health sciences. 

Doctoral candidates will work in a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, interacting with biologists, clinicians, computational scientists, physicists and mathematicians. 

• Duration: 4 years
• Language: English
• Funding: Fully funded fellowship + research budget 
• Location: Italy (multiple sites: Bari, Milan, Naples, Trento, Turin, and Rome) 
• Research areas: Cancer Biology | Computational Biology | Genomic Medicine | Immunology | Medical Humanities | Molecular and Cellular Biology | Molecular Therapy | Neurobiology | Structural Biology
• Calls:
  • Summer Call 2026: applications are open from July 28 until September 7, 2026, 10:00 AM CEST. Applications are currently open for 23 positions. You can find information on the eligibility criteria, available positions and submit your application HERE.
    We are offering the webinar, “Your PhD Match – Understanding Research Fit, PhD Life, and the Application Journey at SEMM”, to support prospective students navigate the application process.
    Join one of our upcoming sessions:
    29 July, 2:00 PM CEST | Register here.
    1 September, 2:00 PM CEST | Register here.
  • The Physician Scientist Program - Special Call: applications open from July 21 until September 16, 2026, 10:00 AM CEST. For more information and to apply, click here.