PhD Cancer Biology Student Jacqueline from Italy Shares Her Journey of Securing a Fully Funded PhD at the University of Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

My name is Jacqueline, and I’m originally from Italy. After completing a Master's degree in Pharmacy at the University of Turin (Italy), I enrolled in a Postgraduate Program in “Drug design and development” at the University of Pavia (Italy), during which I worked as a research associate on the preclinical development of novel drug candidates. However, my desire to work independently on a research project in Cancer Biology motivated me to apply for a doctoral position at Charles River Laboratories, a CRO based in Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany), within a program funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. I chose this program because it offered the unique opportunity to pursue a PhD within a CRO, allowing me to combine my passion for research (especially in Oncology) with my interest in working in an industrial environment. The main purpose of my PhD project has been to identify candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Details

I received a Marie Curie Actions scholarship from the European Commission. It was part of a consortium called SECRET ITN, which involved 12 institutions and funded 15 PhDs with a 4-year fellowship in the years 2020-2023. I was enrolled as a PhD student at the University of Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany), but I actually did my PhD inside a CRO called Charles River Laboratories, which was also part of the consortium. I also had the chance to do a secondment of three months at another institution involved in the program, which was the University of Vienna (Austria).

Educational Background

Master's degree in Pharmacy at the University of Turin (Italy), Postgraduate Program in “Drug design and development” at the University of Pavia (Italy)

My Master’s degree in Pharmacy provided me with a multidisciplinary foundation in medicinal chemistry, biology, and pharmaceutical legislation. Given my predominantly pharmaceutical-science background, pursuing a PhD in Biology required significant additional effort, particularly during the first year. However, my Master’s thesis, conducted in a biochemistry laboratory at the University of Bonn (Germany), allowed me to strengthen both my theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise in the field.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Freiburg im Breisgau?

How Did You Find Information About Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and the University of Freiburg im Breisgau?

I used:

• EURAXESS job portal
• Research group websites
• LinkedIn and Twitter/X posts

MSCA PhDs are advertised in the EURAXESS job portal.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions?

I carefully structured my curriculum, wrote and edited my cover letters thousands of times, and carefully prepared for interviews. Having two reference letters from previous supervisors helped me to pass the first screening of the application.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Although my background was not specifically in Biology (which was the topic of the PhD I applied for), I believe other aspects of my profile and the way I presented them played a key role in securing the position. In particular, my prior experience working in an industrial setting was an advantage, as the PhD was conducted within a company and I was already familiar with that environment.

In my cover letter, I focused on clearly conveying my motivation and explaining my transition from pharmaceutical sciences to a more biology-focused field. I also made a conscious effort to highlight the less conventional aspects of my CV, presenting them as strengths rather than limitations. This allowed me to provide a more complete picture of my profile and to spark interest.

Additionally, my reference letters were genuine and reflected not only my academic abilities but also my personality, which I believe made them more impactful than standard, more impersonal recommendations.

Overall, I think that combining a strong and authentic narrative with a slightly unconventional background helped me stand out among candidates with similarly strong qualifications.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Probably, I would have asked more questions about the research topic, its structure, and the supervision of the project (especially in the first months).

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Be authentic, ask thoughtful questions, and demonstrate both genuine interest and maturity. Show that you have done your homework by researching the program and tailoring your application accordingly. Make your application personal so that your potential supervisor can clearly distinguish it from others.

Highlight not only your academic strengths but also your personal and transferable skills. Most importantly, clearly explain the reasoning behind your choices: why you pursued a particular path and what motivates you to apply for that specific program. Don’t be afraid to apply for those positions where you don’t meet all the requirements!

I carefully structured my curriculum, wrote and edited my cover letters thousands of times, and carefully prepared for interviews. Having two reference letters from previous supervisors helped me to pass the first screening of the application.