Pasteur-Paris University International doctoral program​ (PPU)

PhD positions
France, Europe
September 17, 2025
Full Time

Job Overview

Job Description

The Institut Pasteur organizes a doctoral program in collaboration with Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, and Université Paris Saclay, for students holding a master degree or the equivalent in science, medicine and related fields.

In 2009, the Institut Pasteur, the world leading biomedical research institute founded by Louis Pasteur in 1887, inaugurated the Pasteur Paris-University (PPU) international doctoral program in collaboration with several major Parisian science universities for students holding a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in life sciences and/or in medical sciences

Current call

The call for enrollment of students in October 2026 will be open from September 1st to October 20th, 2025

Pasteur-Paris University International doctoral program​ (PPU)

Students conduct their research in one of the 144 laboratories of the Institut Pasteur that offers cutting edge training in a large variety of topics covering Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Structural Biology, Enzymology and Metabolism, Biological Chemistry, Virology, Parasitology, Medical Mycology, Epidemiology, Infectiology, Imaging, Neurosciences, Developmental Biology and Systems Biology. They have access to a stimulating technological environment to carry out their research project. This includes opportunities to conduct technological and methodological co-developments on high-end equipment under the supervision/in partnership with technology platforms or service and research units (UTechS). In addition, PPU students will receive specific courses on soft skills, as Oral Presentation, Journal Club, Workshop on Ethics, French Lessons. (Educational program)

Students are part of the Pasteurian community with whom they share their passion for science or technology, and their wish to contribute to the prevention and treatment of diseases. Students are immersed in an exciting, dynamic and interactive research environment including access to a large variety of technology platforms with state-of-the art expertise and equipment.

They can extend their knowledge by attending specialized courses and benefit from a vast seminar program attracting major speakers from all over the world. At the end of their studies (typically three years), students defend their PhD according to European guidelines.

The call opens in September and students are selected on a competitive basis. Candidates are first selected by host laboratories, then their applications are presented to a had hoc selection committee by mid-December. Candidates who are short listed by the selection committee are then interviewed early February, with results communicated by mid-February. Selected students are enrolled in the following October for a three-year contract.

Students selected for the PPU program receive a salary from Institut Pasteur including a benefits package (health insurance, unemployment insurance and retirement plan). The program beneficiates from financial support by Institut Pasteur, the European Community, partner institutions, governmental agencies and/or private foundations.

Assistance with administrative issues and with finding accommodation in student residences, including the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, will also be available (Financial support and benefits).

PPU and PPU-Satellite Programs

From September 1st to October 20th, candidates can apply in parallel to up to 4 projects from six PPU programs: the classical PPU, PPU-IMAGINE, PPU-Participatory Science, PPU-OXFORD, PPU-Research & Technology, PPU-Emerging Infection Diseases and PPU-MD-PhD and contact more than one supervisor.

Please note that to carry on with the selection process (“joint application”), in November each year, candidates must choose one single project and program.

The research projects for PPU, PPU-PS, PPU-Oxford and PPU-EID are posted on the application website and share the same selection process organized by Institut Pasteur. You will have to create an account (link to the platform) in order to visualize the projects and to apply.

Please note that no application through email will be accepted.

The PPU-Research & Technology and PPU-MD-PhD projets are available on the same platform (link to the platform). Their selection is organized by Institut Pasteur, but follows specific process.

The selection of the PPU-IMAGINE program is independently organized by Institut Imagine. The application process is managed by the same platform (link to the platform)

PhD students enrolled in the PPU, PPU-PS, PPU-OXFORD, PPU-R&T, PPU-EID and PPU-MD-PhD programs will benefit from Institut Pasteur working contracts (for more details see below “FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND BENEFITS”). The PPU-IMAGINE PhD students will benefit from Institut Imagine working contracts.

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PPU-MD-PhD

Advances in public health, biological sciences and innovative technologies require medical doctors engaged in scientific and/or technological studies to excel in their field.The main goal of the program is to develop a link between fundamental, clinical and translational research. Additionally, MD-PhD educational paths strongly reinforce connections between scientific and medical institutions.The Institut Pasteur is an ideal scientific institute for medics pursuing a PhD, thanks to its first-class scientific standards, involvement in epidemiology, a strategic plan addressing major health issues, and its strong international connections, notably through the Pasteur Network.

The PPU-MD-PhD program aims to attract both French and international MDs and medical students who wish to integrate a PhD-level training into their curriculum. MD candidates who are already funded and beginning a PhD at the Institut Pasteur may apply to join the PPU program. A personalized curriculum will be offered on public health and health surveillance. Each student will be mentored by both a medical and a scientific tutor. PPU-MD-PhD trainees will also join the community of MDs working at the Institut Pasteur.

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PPU-PARTICIPATORY SCIENCE

PS

Experiential knowledge, patient advocacy and citizen involvement are the key words of this brand new PPU program. A unique opportunity for researchers at our institute to propose innovative, interdisciplinary projects that integrate public participation into several disciplines such as neuroscience, microbiology, and public health. These projects should highlight the importance of public involvement in research, as well as the potential benefits for human health and research methodology.

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PPU-RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY

This program will foster scientific projects involving the development of a new technology or methodology to answer a biological question with impact on human health. PhD students will work on collaborative projects between a laboratory and a technology platform or technology service unit (UTechS) and will spend a significant amount of their time in the partner technology platform or UTechS. Students should hold a Master degree or an equivalent university degree in science, medicine or related fields delivered by a university located inside or outside of France, by the time that the students begin the program. Selected students will receive a high level of multidisciplinary training both in biology and technology for life sciences.

PPU-Research & Technology projects are listed within the PPU projects and labelled R&T.

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PPU-EID

 Projects in the area of Emerging Infectious Diseases will help implementing a global vision for a “One Health” approach by preparing the next generation of scientists to major challenges of (re)-emerging infectious diseases (EID). Research-based multidisciplinary projects should aim at developing health, societal, economic and communication aspects in order to prevent and manage EID. PPU-EID students will have access to a wide range of training in the disciplines covered by the new Graduate School 1H-EID. This program is in partnership with 5 Doctoral Schools (BioSPC, MTCI, Pierre Louis de Santé Publique, Science des Sociétés and ABIES). Specific fundings for thesis prolongation, mobility grants and participation to congress will also be available as well as access to international networks such as the Pasteur Network (33 Institutes in 25 countries worldwide) and the research network CAIDERA, partner program of the Graduate School 1H-EID in Germany and Gabon.

Students of the PPU-EID program will work daily in laboratories of Institut Pasteur in 8 of the 12 Institut Pasteur Departments associated with the Graduate School 1H-EID. They will follow all the activities proposed by the PPU program.

PPU-EID projects are listed within the PPU projects and labelled EID.

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PPU-IMAGINE

Institut Imagine is Europe’s leading center for research, care and teaching on genetic diseases, and its mission is to understand and cure them. The Institute brings together 1000 of the best doctors, researchers and healthcare personnel in an architecture that creates synergies. It is this unprecedented continuum of expertise, combined with proximity to patients, that allows Imagine to accelerate discoveries and their applications for the benefit of patients.

At Imagine, patients with genetic diseases are at the heart of a virtuous circle. Created by the Institute’s founders, this circle begins with the patient and finishes by curing the patient or at least relieving his/her suffering. Imagine brings together all the skills and expertise necessary to accelerate research, develop innovative care, and to generate synergies and conditions to drive innovation in one building.

Imagine’s goal is to change the lives of families affected by genetic diseases. To achieve this goal, Imagine focuses on four major areas: research, innovative care, education, and promotion.

Through the training of future doctors and researchers and continuous training of doctors and health professionals, Institut Imagine promotes expertise in both research and medicine, which makes it unique.

Students of the PPU-IMAGINE program will work daily in laboratories of Institut Imagine and will participate in PPU activities at Institut Pasteur.

To see and apply to the projects proposed by the IMAGINE doctoral program, please use the link below:

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PPU-OXFORD

Projects in the area of Antimicrobial Resistance at the interface with Biochemistry will benefit from a collaboration between the Institut Pasteur and the Chemistry Department of  Oxford University and will be part of the « PPU-OXFORD program ». 

PPU-OXFORD students will have the possibility to spend up to three months of their PhD in the Chemistry Department of Oxford University. Students of the PPU-OXFORD program will work daily in laboratories of Institut Pasteur, and will follow the activities proposed by the PPU program.

PPU-OXFORD projects are listed within the PPU projects and labelled OXFORD.

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Application information

The application call opens in September for the program beginning in October of the following year.

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

Language: The program is run in English and therefore fluency in English is required (TOEFL or other language proficiency scores are not necessary but may be indicated when submitting your application). No knowledge of French is required, but a basic knowledge may be useful in the daily life outside the Institute.

Age: The PPU doctoral program does not have an age restriction, but most accepted candidates are 24-26 years old and start their Ph.D. within a year of finishing their M.S., a few within 3 years.

External funding: Candidates with external funding are eligible to enter the PPU program if the funding constitutes employment or if the funds can be allocated to the Institut Pasteur to pay the candidate’s salary. Such candidates must go through the same application procedure and be selected by the committee.

DIPLOMA REQUIREMENT AND MOBILITY

PPU-Classic, PPU-OXFORD, PPU-EID, PPU-Imagine

  • Master degree or an equivalent university degree in science, medicine or related fields delivered by a university located outside of France, by the time that the students begin the program. (In France, a master degree corresponds to five years of academic education)
  • Students holding a B.A. or a B.S. acquired after four years of academic education may be considered if they have additional laboratory experience of at least 6 months, with a written final report or a publication.
  • Students who already have begun doctoral training elsewhere and students with a master’s degree obtained in France are not eligible for these programs. The candidate’s nationality does not affect their eligibility.
  • Students should not have resided in France for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior to the application deadline (October 20, 2025). Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

PPU-Research & Technology, PPU-PARTICIPATORY SCIENCE

  • These programs are open to any candidate holding a French or International Master’s degree.
  • Students holding a B.A. or a B.S. acquired after four years of academic education may be considered if they have additional laboratory experience of at least 6 months, with a written final report or a publication.
  • No mobility restrictions are required to apply for this program. The candidate’s nationality does not affect their eligibility.

PPU MD-PhD

  • Students should be currently enrolled in the cycle 2 or 3, or should have finished cycle 3 of their medical training in France (or the equivalent in other countries)
  • No mobility restrictions are required to apply for this program. The candidate’s nationality does not affect their eligibility.

THESIS ADVISOR ELIGIBILITY

  • To present a candidate to the PPU program, thesis advisors must hold an HDR (Habilitation à Diriger les Recherches) diploma.
  • The host laboratory must be affiliated to the Institut Pasteur Paris.
  • The research team must be affiliated with a doctoral school of any Parisian university (Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Saclay,…) and the advisors must not exceed the number of students allowed by their doctoral school.
  • If there are multiple scientists holding an HDR in a host laboratory, each one can propose a project and submit an application with a prospective Ph.D. candidate.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

There are 3 steps in the selection process

1. Candidates choose and are chosen by a host laboratory.

From September 1st, a list of host laboratories and the research projects they propose are posted on the application website after registration: https://ppu.pasteur.fr  (a preview is available here).

Applications must be sent through the same link: the candidates can select up to four projects they are interested in, and upload a detailed CV and a motivation letter in PDF format. 

Advisors may request additional information from candidates including reference letters and may interview some candidates by visio-conference. Each advisor must eventually choose only one candidate for thier project to present to the Admission Committee.

Candidates may contact potential host laboratories for further information but application must be made through the application website (no email application). Since each advisor must choose only one candidate, candidates may apply to more than one laboratory (maximum four). Advisors are asked to notify candidates who will not be selected as soon as possible. A candidate cannot be selected for more than one project.

The candidate selected for a project will then complete the application on the same platform together with the host laboratory (joint application).

2. Evaluation of joint applications by the Admission Committee.

The joint applications are evaluated in December on the basis of academic qualifications, previous research experience, scientific potential of the candidate and adequation of the candidate with the proposed project. In general, applicants are expected to be among the top of those qualified to enter a Ph.D. program in their home country.

The Admission Committee is composed of members of the PPU Steering Committee (all scientists of the Institut Pasteur), other Institut Pasteur researchers, representatives of the Doctoral Schools (who verify that the applicant is eligible to register for a Ph.D. at a Parisian University) and international senior scientists who are familiar with the applicant’s national education systems.The most promising candidates are selected for an interview.

3. Interview week.

Selected candidates are invited for a four-day visit to the Institut Pasteur during February. Travel expenses (economy fare) and housing during the interview week are paid by the PPU program. During the visit, candidates:

  • Visit the host laboratory and meet its members;
  • Visit the Institut Pasteur (technical core facilities, museum, scientific library, …);
  • Meet the Dean of the PPU program, the Director of Education of the Institut Pasteur, members of the PPU Program Office, current students and other scientists working at the Institut Pasteur;
  • Are interviewed by Institut Pasteur scientists who are experts in the candidate’s past and/or future research projects and by a member of the Human Resources Department.
  • Present their Master’s degree research (results or in progress) and their Ph.D. project to the Admission Committee which then asks questions;
  • Meet at luncheons and dinners with students and scientists.

 The Admission Committee examines the general scientific knowledge, the past research accomplishments, the understanding of the proposed Ph.D. project, the motivation of the student, and considers the comments and advice of other interviewers. It then chooses the students to be offered final admission and those to be put on a waiting list. Around 15 openings are available each year. Candidates are informed of the decision shortly after the Interview week; successful candidates are generally given 10 days to notify the PPU of their acceptance.  Admission is highly competitive; each year many more qualified candidates apply than can be accepted.

Criteria used by the Admission Committee for the evaluation:

  • Presentation: Logical and coherent presentation; appropriate information; clear oral presentation without “reading the slides”; good balance master/future phd projects. 
  • Addressing the questions: comprehension of the questions, focus on the requested details, scientific knowledge, technical knowledge, ability to think about an open question.
  • General attitude: positive attitude, self-confidence, attitude open to discussion.

Exact dates and deadlines for each step are clearly indicated in Current Call.

Educational program

The PPU program prepares students for an exciting and competitive career in scientific research, through the development of a research project,  participation to academic courses, and professional development trainings. The requested duration for a PhD in France is three years.

The PPU program has its primary foundations based on scientific research. Students benefit from the highest training in conducting state-of-the-art research by mentorship, active planning and execution, as well as discussion of results with their Ph.D advisors and other leading scientists. A very dense scheduling of lectures and seminars by world renowned scientists, together with congresses and workshops, are also part of the exposure to ideas and data that students will experience on campus.

ACADEMIC TRAINING

Students are responsible for attending a specified number of courses dedicated to fundamental biological concepts and public health. The course syllabus fulfils requirements set forth by the universities, usually equivalent to one to two weeks of courses per year. Multiple theoretical and practical courses are available at Institut Pasteur Education Center, in Parisian universities, and at the Institut Curie. Students have their choice of courses to take, based on their personal backgrounds, interests and topics of research, in accordance with their host laboratory.

Students will also benefit from technical training by members of core facilities. Furthermore, working at the Institut Pasteur provides students with the opportunity to attend some of the many cutting-edge scientific seminars and participate in on-site symposia. Students are also encouraged to apply to international workshops and conferences, for which the PPU program will offer monetary support.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

In addition to hands-on laboratory training, the PPU program requires attendance to several professional development training courses to enhance the student skills and complement their academic training:

  • French language courses: 3 class levels (basic, intermediate and advanced).
    During the I° year: two-hour sessions per week, on campus.
  • Journal Club: To enhance the educational experience of participants and the assimilation of scientific evidences (learning how to critically evaluate a study, reflecting upon results and draw conclusions, understanding peer review, identifying innovation and advancement, learning how to conceptualize follow-up. (Journal Club)
    During the I° year: 1 session per month.
  • Oral presentation workshop: To teach how to communicate their results and ideas effectively (identifying the key message, planning and preparation, presentation design, confident delivery and stress management, giving/receiving feedback). 
    During the II° year: four classes lasting 4 hours each.
  • To learn how to organize a symposium, students of the II° year are in charge of the organization of the annual retreat for all PPU students, under the guidance of the PPU Steering Committee members.
  • Other Institut Pasteur trainings: Bioinformatics, Research Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Free access to Pasteur MOOCs.

Various other training sessions are available at the Institut Pasteur, the Universities in Paris, and the Institut Curie.

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