Ph.D. in Biotechnology

Ph.D.

Biotechnology


Offered at: Dubai

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Innovation and Impact in Biotechnology Research


Established in 1969 with the unification of the Botany and Zoology departments, the Department of Biological Sciences at BITS Pilani forms the foundation of the Ph.D. Biotechnology programme, dedicated to advanced inquiry and innovation. This programme at BITS Pilani provides students with a rigorous and research-based learning environment. A few of the emerging areas where students can excel are biotechnology, including molecular biology, bioprocessing, nanobiotechnology, pharmaceutical biotechnology and other fields. Students get an opportunity to innovate and conduct world-class research in advanced lab facilities under the guidance of experienced faculty. This provides them with a refined perspective to address some real-world issues in areas like health, agriculture, environment and industrial biotechnology. The programme encourages students to take an interdisciplinary approach by providing access to advanced analytical instrumentation, education in ethical conduct in research and opportunities for creating new technologies with the potential to benefit society.


Know More

Students offered an Institute fellowship will receive ₹37,000 per month. The fellowship may be enhanced to ₹40,000 or ₹42,000 after two years, based on performance.

Institute Fellows will also receive a contingency amount of ₹20,000 per year. Students admitted through Sponsored Projects will receive fellowship support in accordance with the funding agency guidelines

Key Research Milestones

Core Research Domains Advancing the Future of Biotechnology

The Department offers a full-time Ph.D. programme in the following research thrust areas.

Environmental Biotechnology

Therapeutic Biology

Str. Biology & Bioinformatics

Extremophiles

Nanobiotechnology

Plant Biotechnology

Structural Biology

Computational Biology

Molecular Parasitology

Ph.D. Admission and Support Information

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:


  • M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm./MBA/M.Phil. (or equivalent) with minimum 60% aggregate.
  • M.Sc./B.E./B.Pharm. (or equivalent) with minimum 60% aggregate.
  • M.A. degree holders with minimum 55% aggregate may apply.
  • Minimum one year of relevant work experience is mandatory.

Additional Notes

  • Meeting minimum eligibility does not guarantee admission.
  • Departments may set additional shortlisting criteria—candidates must check departmental webpages for details.
  • Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a written test and/or interview, as recommended by the Department Research Committee (DRC).
  • Coursework requirements:
    • First Degree holders (M.Sc., B.E., B.Pharm., etc.): Minimum 6 courses / 24 units in the first two semesters.
    • Higher Degree holders (M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm./MBA/M.Phil., etc.): Minimum 2 courses / 6 units in the first semester.
  • Admission is provisional and confirmed after clearing the qualifying exam and/or approval of the PhD proposal by the DRC.

  • All full-time PhD students admitted to the PhD program will receive a fellowship for up to a maximum of five years.
  • The fellowship could be from the Institute or the Sponsored Projects. PhD students may also be eligible for their own fellowship if qualified through the UGC/CSIR NET.
  • Students offered an Institute fellowship will receive ₹37,000 per month. The fellowship may be enhanced to ₹40,000/- or ₹42,000/- after two years, based on performance. Institute Fellows will also receive a contingency amount of ₹20,000/- per year.
  • Students offered admission through Sponsored Projects would receive the fellowship in accordance with the funding agency guidelines.
  • BITS Pilani provides International Travel Support of up to ₹1.5 lakh to full-time PhD students to present their work in an international conference

Application Process

  1. The online admission portal opens on 26 September 2025.
  2. Eligible candidates must apply through the official application form available at the provided admission website. No hard copy needs to be sent.
  3. Applicants must register online using a valid mobile number and email ID to generate login credentials.
  4. Candidates must select their preferred BITS Pilani campus(es) while filling the form.
    1. Preferences must be chosen carefully.
    2. They cannot be changed after submission.
  5. The completed application form and the prescribed application fee must be submitted online before the deadline.
  1. Last date to submit the application form: 17 November 2025, 5:00 PM.
  2. A non-refundable application fee of ₹2600 is payable at submission.
  3. Only one application is allowed.
    1. An edit option will be available until the deadline for correcting any mistakes.
  4. The final admission decision will be made by the Institute’s Admission Committee, and the decision will be binding on all applicants.

To learn more about the Ph.D admissions process at BITS Pilani, please visit the website https://www.bitsadmission.com

Faculty Guiding the Next Generation of Biotech Leaders

Dr. Arunkumar Palaniappan


Associate Professor,
Department of Biotechnology

Dr. Debostuti Ghoshdastidar


Assistant Professor,
Department of Biotechnology

Dr. Shrikant Charde


Professor of Practice,
Department of Biotechnology

You Asked.
We Answered.

The Ph.D Biotechnology programme at BITS Pilani is a research-intensive doctoral course focusing on advanced areas like Environmental Biotechnology, Therapeutic Biology, Extremophiles, Nanobiotechnology and more.

To apply for Ph.D Biotechnology at BITS Pilani, candidates must have a relevant M.Sc. or equivalent degree with at least 60% marks.

Admissions at BITS Pilani follow a structured process: shortlisting based on academics, a written entrance test and an interview.

The duration typically ranges from 3 to 6 years, depending on the nature of research, progress of the dissertation and whether the scholar is enrolled full-time or part-time.

BITS Pilani offers diverse research thrust areas, including Environmental Biotechnology, Structural Biology, Bioinformatics, Therapeutic Biology, Nanobiotechnology, Plant Biotechnology and Computational Biology.

Yes. BITS Pilani offers fellowships to full-time Ph.D. candidates. Institute Fellows start at ₹37,000 per month, with increments up to ₹40,000–₹42,000 after two years and receive ₹20,000/year contingency. Project-based support follows funder guidelines.

BITS Pilani offers advanced laboratories for molecular biology, tissue culture, nanobiotechnology, bioprocess engineering, computational biology and more, enabling high-quality research.

Yes. BITS Pilani allows eligible working professionals who meet academic minimums and have at least one year of relevant work experience; departmental criteria apply.

To apply for the Ph.D Biotechnology programme at BITS Pilani, candidates must submit an online application through the official admissions portal (https://www.bitsadmission.com), followed by test and interview stages if shortlisted.

You can pursue Ph.D. Biotechnology at BITS Pilani Dubai campus.

Campus
Dubai
Program Type
PhD
Content Type
Courses
Degree
Doctoral Degree
Departments
Biotechnology